CRF250L - Race Tech Fork Upgrade

The suspension on the CRF250L is way too soft even for a lighter rider like me. This kit from Race Tech fixes the spring rate issue in the front fork and I can attest that it is a big improvement for the bike. The rear shock is next on the list.
Important Torque Specs:
Fork cap - “to specified torque”
Fork clamp - 21 ft-lb
Axel - 51 ft-lbs
Axel pinch bolts - 16 ft-lb
Brake caliper - 22 ft-lb

[@Casey_Schmidt]

Correction: The 'gold' colored washer needs to go above the plastic spacer tube rather than in between the spacer and the spring.

[@rosarioroberto5823]

Greetings, As always another brilliant detailed video production 🇺🇸🍾🎉🇺🇸 Keep producing more videos about the CRF.

[@eileenparks3672]

Nice video my man. Just ordered the front racetech springs today. your video will be super helpful on the install on my 17. for the back, i ordered a Cogent complete unit about 4 days ago. will take another 3 weeks or so till i have it. was going to get a racetech for the rear, but they wanted another $150 over the cogent and 10-12 weeks until ready to ship. give todd a call over at Cogent and he'll "interview" you for a good 20 mins in order to build you the perfect rear shock. yes, more expensive than a YSS (about $150), but its made in the USA by Americans and is completely rebuildable. Cogent will service the shock (replace fluids, gas, seals) every 2 years for $99. Be sure to get the needle bearing collar as an add on.

[@Casey_Schmidt]

Thanks, Eileen! Good luck with your build too. Sounds like you're gonna have a really good setup once you're done! I went with the Öhlins rear shock because I could get it within a few days rather than a few weeks. It's also slightly cheaper than the Race Tech unit. My video for that install comes out tomorrow actually. The downside is that the Öhlins shock doesn't come with a custom spring or valving. But it has enough damping adjustment to suit my needs.

[@eileenparks3672]

@@Casey_Schmidt the ohlins was my second choice. just didnt want to deal with a piggyback reservoir. but a solid choice overall. looking forward to your install video

[@DooDooMonkey]

You assembled your fork wrong. Brass top cap goes under jam nut on top of preload tube. Only delrin collar goes under tube on top of spring. Sorry didn't see your pin.

[@Casey_Schmidt]

@@DooDooMonkey yes I didn’t notice this mistake until a while after posting the video. It’s really frustrating when that happens…

[@jimmac1185]

"Made in USA" really doesn't mean shit to me. They're are plenty of assholes that don't care about their jobs here.

[@eXdXgXe4life]

Not all heroes wear capes.

[@Casey_Schmidt]

Not all capes are worn by heroes.

[@LeakieTikii]

Did you fix the location of the bushing? I put the kit in following your video and didn’t realize till now that bushing had to go on top of the spacer and I’m kinda ticked off about it

[@LeakieTikii]

I’m tempted to leave it like that

[@Casey_Schmidt]

@@LeakieTikii I pinned a comment about the mistake. It’s really not that difficult to fix. After a few weeks of using this kit, I actually removed it. It was too stiff for my weight and make the bike feel unbalanced. I think for a heavier riding it would be much better.

[@TheZakkmylde]

So for this upgrade all it is is adding the spring to the non-spring fork and that’s it? Seems Simple enough. The next upgrade I guess would be if you wanted to add the valving kit etc.?

[@Casey_Schmidt]

Correct. Depending on your weight, you may only need a valving kit. After a couple weeks of riding, I found the added spring made the front too stiff for my weight; about 140 lbs. if you’re 155+, the added spring will really help.

[@TheZakkmylde]

@@Casey_Schmidt oh ok I’m 175 plus gear. I guess it’s not necessary then to add the spring on the inside an upgrade existing spring on the other Ford sync one Spring would be enough?

[@clintgarner8897]

I like your video, and followed it easily. However, I looked at the race tech instructions after I put everything back together and learned that you made a mistake. The plastic and gold bushing do not go together and get dropped in at the same time. The plastic portion of that bushing goes on the bottom of the plastic tube spacer and the gold portion goes on top of the plastic tube. Then the lock nut goes back on. Might want to make a correction to the video so others don't do it wrong.

[@Casey_Schmidt]

You are correct. I pinned a comment with the correction.

[@clintgarner8897]

​@@Casey_Schmidt sorry, I didn't see that until after writing my comment. Guess I should read before I do. 😂

[@arideinthecountry]

I'm planning to do this soon. Have you had any thoughts in retrospect? Things you would do differently? Thanks in advance

[@Casey_Schmidt]

If you check out my video(s) just after this one, I have more thoughts on it that you may find helpful. After having installed for a whole, I eventually took it back out because it is too stuff for my weight. I’m a very light rider so especially if you’re a heavier rider, you’ll get a lot more benefit from it.

[@arideinthecountry]

@@Casey_Schmidt I weigh around 285 so I think it’s important for me to at least try it. Particularly the rear spring. I’m watching your Öhlins install video now… probably great but “too many dollars” for me right now… I’ll start with the RaceTech rear spring and go from there… thanks!

[@zerometalworks1324]

In this vid you filled it with 10W oil? Racetech specifies only 5W in their kit install, which may be why you found it to be too stiff for you.

[@Casey_Schmidt]

@@zerometalworks1324 the extra stiffness was definitely from the spring rate. The increased damping made the front feel much better. Suspension is, to some degree, up to rider preference.

[@windowsxp9120]

mans got nice tools

[@Casey_Schmidt]

If by nice you mean “a completely random assortment of tools I’ve collected over the years” then yes they are quite nice.

[@windowsxp9120]

@@Casey_Schmidt knipex and snapon are nice. :) I've built my collection over the 5 years ive been a mechanic too.

[@Skidoo_Riderz38]

But why on just one side is what i dont get?

[@Casey_Schmidt]

Many bikes now days only come with one spring to save money and weight. The kit adds a spring to the other side.

[@Skidoo_Riderz38]

@@Casey_Schmidt ohh ok thanks!

[@shawnlepine5788]

I heard 5 weight not 10

[@Casey_Schmidt]

The internet is full of such wonderful and contradictory information. Go with whatever you feel is best if you cannot find a definitive answer.