CRF230L Owners Check In

[SixtyAte]

Originally Posted by 1 lunger

That's way way way too much air pressure for the MT 21!! That's a lightweight bike, 18-22 is plenty! Make sure you put the front tire back on proper, axle bolt 1st, the bounce the suspension, then the pinch bolts. If done on the wrong order, this could cause the shake at speed!


Life is good!

Yep your right on. I started at max pressure and I'm working my way down. I'm at 25psi now. I redid my axle, with a bounce. I didn't have the torque wrench out and snapped the stud on the pinch bolts. The nut on the stud had marred from just using a wrench on it. I replaced the top two studs with bolts and lock washers. This is the third time I have broke a bolt on the bike. Probably my fault every time. Fortunately I work at a shop so I just add stronger stuff. The death wobble went from 55 to about 62 which is where it was before. I don't know if it is from tire pressure or minor adjustment to axle, but all is well.

[BanhXeo]

Hi, I'm still a little new to these forums, but found this thread and found some extremely useful info. I just recently purchased a Plated '03 crf230f and am interested in knowing if some crf230L aftermarket parts will fit on my ride. Mainly looking into storage space borrego rack/denali luggage package for the rear fender. I have the Baja Design light kit installed. Any first hand info, thoughts, concerns are appreciated thanks.

[ADVNCW]

Originally Posted by BanhXeo

Hi, I'm still a little new to these forums, but found this thread and found some extremely useful info. I just recently purchased a Plated '03 crf230f and am interested in knowing if some crf230L aftermarket parts will fit on my ride. Mainly looking into storage space borrego rack/denali luggage package for the rear fender. I have the Baja Design light kit installed. Any first hand info, thoughts, concerns are appreciated thanks.

I looked at the rack and bags also. I did not want to add the rack weight and have the permanent installation. I did buy the TCI windscreen and rack, and bolted a Kolpin 1.5 gal to the front rack. Balances well.

I bought the 50L Giant Loop Great Basin. Used a 20L dry bag in the photos above, now I have a 30L dry bag. That Giant Loop and dry bag holds my camp, cookgear, clothes, motorcycle tools and stuff, food, water. The bike handles well with the load, I rode singletrack in the photo at camp (above). I just finished touring coast and beach of WA with my 230L with luggage setup.

See the photos on previous page.

[1 lunger]

Originally Posted by SixtyAte

Yep your right on. I started at max pressure and I'm working my way down. I'm at 25psi now. I redid my axle, with a bounce. I didn't have the torque wrench out and snapped the stud on the pinch bolts. The nut on the stud had marred from just using a wrench on it. I replaced the top two studs with bolts and lock washers. This is the third time I have broke a bolt on the bike. Probably my fault every time. Fortunately I work at a shop so I just add stronger stuff. The death wobble went from 55 to about 62 which is where it was before. I don't know if it is from tire pressure or minor adjustment to axle, but all is well.

The pinch bolts should be torqued to about 15 ftlbs max. You should use a smaller wrench and hold it with you fingers. You're better off using a bit of blue loctite and not going so tight on the bolts. The axle bolt should be about 40-50 ftlbs. Don't worry about torque rates so much, just get them snug and give it a 1/4 - 1/2 turn. These bikes are usually very smooth, at least ours is. I can hit 75-80 mph with no head shake and no weights on the wheel. Are all the bearings good? Check for play in the wheel bearings and head bearings. Also might want to check that the suspension is set proper. If the rear suspension is too high or too low this can cause head shake also. These bikes are pretty bullet proof and easy to work on, at least compared to my Husqvarna. I would try re setting the front wheel again and have someone hold the front brake and compress the suspension while you snug up the pinch bolts again. Make sure they are loose enough that the fork can find its position on the axle. Also make sure the bolts on the triple tree aren't too tight. This is not as big a deal on the CRF forks, but on inverted forks it can really mess things up and cause stickage, drag, shake, etc... Good luck and if all else fails you can get the wheel balanced.

Edit: please check the manual for correct torque specs, the numbers I suggested are only that, a suggestion. I don't want anyone getting crazy on me for posting the wrong info.

Best,

Life is good!

[WindPipe]

From the service manual:

Originally Posted by 1 lunger

The pinch bolts ...

12 N.m (9 ft.lbs)

Originally Posted by 1 lunger

You're better off using a bit of blue loctite and not going so tight on the bolts.

I never needed locktite here. Please use with caution (the studs are screw in).

Originally Posted by 1 lunger

The axle bolt ...

74 N.m (55 ft.lbs)

[1 lunger]

Originally Posted by wheelfun

From the service manual:


12 N.m (9 ft.lbs)



I never needed locktite here. Please use with caution (the studs are screw in).



74 N.m (55 ft.lbs)

Thanks for looking up those specs! I just checked and saw you want one of these. Here's a little bike porn for you. Sorry for the thread jack guys.


Life is good!

[SixtyAte]

Originally Posted by 1 lunger

The pinch bolts should be torqued to about 15 ftlbs max. You should use a smaller wrench and hold it with you fingers. You're better off using a bit of blue loctite and not going so tight on the bolts. The axle bolt should be about 40-50 ftlbs. Don't worry about torque rates so much, just get them snug and give it a 1/4 - 1/2 turn. These bikes are usually very smooth, at least ours is. I can hit 75-80 mph with no head shake and no weights on the wheel. Are all the bearings good? Check for play in the wheel bearings and head bearings. Also might want to check that the suspension is set proper. If the rear suspension is too high or too low this can cause head shake also. These bikes are pretty bullet proof and easy to work on, at least compared to my Husqvarna. I would try re setting the front wheel again and have someone hold the front brake and compress the suspension while you snug up the pinch bolts again. Make sure they are loose enough that the fork can find its position on the axle. Also make sure the bolts on the triple tree aren't too tight. This is not as big a deal on the CRF forks, but on inverted forks it can really mess things up and cause stickage, drag, shake, etc... Good luck and if all else fails you can get the wheel balanced.

Edit: please check the manual for correct torque specs, the numbers I suggested are only that, a suggestion. I don't want anyone getting crazy on me for posting the wrong info.

Best,

Life is good!

Great info. When I broke the pinch bolt I had done just that " Small wrench snug with fingers". I've never messed with the rear suspension. The spring felt fine for off-road, I never even considered it for higher speeds.

[SixtyAte]

So I tightened up my rear spring, and it took 99% of the wobble. Scooting back some fixed the other 1%. Ran up to a little of 70 and felt fine. I ran out on a washboard trail and hammered it, soaked it up like a dream. I can't believe I never thought to adjust my rear spring. Another reason why this is an awesome forum.

[1 lunger]

Originally Posted by SixtyAte

So I tightened up my rear spring, and it took 99% of the wobble. Scooting back some fixed the other 1%. Ran up to a little of 70 and felt fine. I ran out on a washboard trail and hammered it, soaked it up like a dream. I can't believe I never thought to adjust my rear spring. Another reason why this is an awesome forum.

Nice!


Life is good!

[Pcfly]

Looking for info on the 230L. Do they make a larger gas tank then stock for this bike?

Also, a friend recently purchased an 08 230L with under 400 miles. The bikes hasn't been ridden much. Recently a day after a break-in ride we found a couple small quarter sized drops of oil on the ground, is this normal for this little bike or should we be worried? Do the gaskets need to be replaced or anything else need to be tightened since the bikes been sitting hardly ever ridden? Any suggested maintenance that should be done? Thank for the help.

[PineyMountainRacing]

Originally Posted by Pcfly

Also, a friend recently purchased an 08 230L with under 400 miles. The bikes hasn't been ridden much. Recently a day after a break-in ride we found a couple small quarter sized drops of oil on the ground, is this normal for this little bike or should we be worried? Do the gaskets need to be replaced or anything else need to be tightened since the bikes been sitting hardly ever ridden? Any suggested maintenance that should be done? Thank for the help.

You may need to clean the engine up good, take off the skid plate (if equipped) and take it for a 20 mile ride - then look it over closely and see where the oil is coming from. Had you just changed the oil? Mine doesn't leak - your leak may be something simple. If you see where it's coming from, post up a pic.

[shua]

These are cool little bikes. Just picked up a 230m model that I am converting to an l. So far all i have is the front wheel. Will do more when the budget allows. I'll keep you posted.

[Bulldogs2k]

It's been a couple years and I still have my 08, it's been lean times at my house hold so this bike eases the pain of transportation. I've been riding bicycles lately but I finally got around to tuning my ol'girl back. She has 11k miles on the ODO and ready for more!

[RZRob]

Do you think any CRF230L owners need a set of fork legs? I've got a fresh set with bellows etc. They're perfect. I'd like to get $125 for the pair plus shipping. I can send pics, but they're all boxed-up ready to go.

RZ Rob

[1 lunger]

I think I just sold our 230 to a very nice young lady today. If she comes back and takes it, she will have gotten a very clean bike for a very good price. I hope she enjoys it and it gets the love that it should!


Life is good!