How to upgrade the front fork spring on Honda CRF300L

[@enduromotorradtouren]

Clear and concise tutorial. Hope that many CRF rider will find it. All the best, Günter from Nürnberg/Germany

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you !

[@pawelwolski1316]

Nice video, if you really want to be precise about the amount of oil required there is a simple way to "tune" the oil level for any fork. After you take the fork legs off you need to find the max compression of the fork, the binding point of totally collapsed spring. Using a zip tie and then a marker you mark a line at the bottom of the zip tie after totally collapsing the fork. After reassembly you once again fully compress the fork. The max compression should be about 10 mm higher then the fully compressed spring compression. This way the air gap inside the fork provides additional "stiffness" as the forks compress. If you put too much oil, the forks will be too stiff and you might end up blowing the seals. As I am very particular, this is how I set up all my forks.

[@DragosRDS]

That sounds complicated :) Thank you for sharing the method

[@TMAdventuresT7]

Always used this method 🤟🏽

[@rolandvenne7419]

Just wanted to come back and say thank you. Yours was by far tge most informative video when it comes to the retaining clip. Mase my life waay easier and was done in about 30 minutes.

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you for watching ! Glad it helped.

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Good video my friend! I also make content on the Honda 300L, I found you video to be well put together and very informative. Suspension should be the next upgrade I do. I have done all the performance mods I wanted already. Keep up the good work.

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you for the kind words ! Very best of luck with the 300L, I just can't get off it :)))) I love it !

[@TheZakkmylde]

Great job. Wondering why changing oil on the fork without the spring? Stock oil not good or just change for sale of maintaining… Debating whether should replace all Suspension or do this. This way seems much cheaper and probably good enough for most of us riders :)

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

@@TheZakkmylde there is a few reasons, changing to a thicker oil can stiffen the suspension.

[@TheZakkmylde]

@@MotorcyclesOffroad ya I kind of figured that. What is the stock oil and what did you go up to I’m curious cause I’ve heard this a few times now

[@toshkojelezarov9088]

@@TheZakkmylde the OEM is 10W, 638cc (right) 696cc (left); K-tech oil 10W Quantity: 631ml right, 712ml left, , YSS oil 20w, 630cc Right, 680cc left

[@michaelcrosby6071]

Rear K tech shock installed. Nice balanced front to back.

[@DragosRDS]

Perfect, now we wait for good wheather to enjoy the new setup !

[@markellis3648]

Great vid, I am interested in this bike and have seen a video on springs to both rams which gave great results.

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you ! it is a great bike for dual sport

[@mrcla55yguy20]

Thank you for the explanation about why you pull the tube up. I followed one of those music only videos for the non-spring fork and did it how you instructed without understanding. I was basically mimicking like an animal 😂. Thank you for the higher order lol🤙. Good video. I love my crf300l. Changing out the fluid to do hooligan 💩and trails

[@DragosRDS]

@@mrcla55yguy20 Thank you for the apreciation ! and for watching my video

[@michaelcrosby6071]

Just installed my K-Tech heavier front spring and fork oil. Thanks again was easy. K-Tech razor lite rear shock is next month project.

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you for watching ! Good luck with your next one and I hope it will transform your lilttle red !

[@Tangotop]

nice clear video! I'll be following this this week to do mine

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you for watching !!! Good luck

[@ardaunal1875]

my manual says 54 mm for the left for using 10W. now im confused

[@lemoinexavier]

Hello my Romanian instructor. Me again. I followed your instructions. But is it possible that at 10:26secs you need to mention that you have to remove the small piece of spring? My new spring is just 'the small' piece longer than the old one and I can't close the system with 'the clips' without removing the small piece of spring Thanks for your answer.

[@DragosRDS]

Hi Xavier, I did not remove the small spring ! I just pressed hard on the rod and inserted inside the clips, for my ktech spring was enough

[@lemoinexavier]

@@DragosRDS Ok thx. I have the YSS so I think that's the difference.

[@chasingtrail]

Thank you this is very helpful. I will be installing my K-Tech spring soon and will refer to your video.

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you. You will see It is easy !

[@TheZakkmylde]

Did you get the k tech? I’m in Canada and was looking to buy them and do the front and rear upgrades just curious on what system you and four and did you find the performance better?

[@chasingtrail]

@@TheZakkmylde I got the Ktech springs but even the stiffest springs weren't enough. I ended up going with the Race Tech solution which are also much easier to install and not much more money. For the rear I got the cheaper YSS shock. Suspension upgrades are a must on this bike unless you weigh like 140 lbs.

[@TheZakkmylde]

@@chasingtrail With the race tech did you just buy the kit that adds the spring in the empty pork or did you go the route of getting a heavier spring on the existing one because you mentioned it was easier and similarly priced. Just trying to research which method you were referring to on KZbin videos

[@chasingtrail]

@@TheZakkmylde The kit that adds the spring in the empty fork tube.

[@oldrideradventure9848]

Hello why there is no traduction subtiles's choice. In french for me, and for the others.Thank you!

[@DragosRDS]

I will check it why. For the moment youtube is still processing the 4k version, maybe after processing is finished. Thank you for the info

[@DragosRDS]

I think it is ok now. I have selected also the french language, give it a little time to process

[@leeheywood8005]

good vid. I'm just doing mine but I don't understand why the recommendation to use STD oil 10wt when the spring is upgraded. k-tech also recommend 10wt but STD rebound valving won't control a stronger spring surely. I have heard as heavy as 30wt used.

[@DragosRDS]

Hey Lee All the materials used in this video were a specific recommendation of Ktech and Brooke Suspension. I have talked to them via email and asked all typed of questions. All they answered I have applied. Thank you for watching

[@RickGreen_McNutt]

Very good video, detailed and informative. I just replaced my front spring. I've replaced springs (and done generally service) on several different forks (dirt bikes to a Goldwing), but this one was slightly different than the others I've done and the video was very helpful.

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you ! More will come

[@TheZakkmylde]

Really. Man any information you got would be great cause I was just about to spend money on the Ktech Springs I weigh about 175 pounds and was gonna get the spring for my weight and you’re saying they will be too soft? I’ll have to look into whatever spring you mentioned.

[@TheZakkmylde]

What did you end up doing just replacing the spring or going with a whole complete valve kit etc. and did you end up doing it yourself was it difficult? Race tech website ?

[@duncanelliott5120]

Brilliant video. Really helpful. Thanks so much, as I’ll be doing mine soon!

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you for watching ! Good luck with yours, it is not a difficult job.

[@mimmo-irl]

Thanks for your videos, super helpful. Do you know the measures of the stock fork spring? I need the external and internal diameter, to create a spacer to add preload. Thansk!

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you for watching. I will check tomorrow

[@mimmo-irl]

@@DragosRDS thanks a million, I am sure this information can be helpful for who is trying to do the same mod :-)

[@DragosRDS]

@@mimmo-irl we have 34mm exterior and 24 mm interior

[@sausagesandwichSA]

Would this simple spring upgrade be able to cope with the bike fully loaded carrying camping gear over rough terrain..20-30kg as an example. Cheers

[@DragosRDS]

When you buy it, they ask you your weight and the weight of the luggage. Yes it will cope, although 30 kg is a little too much

[@s.o.m.e..g.u.y]

Question, why do you need to change the oil on the left fork, if you're changing the oil and spring on the right side, oem oil is 10w so the left should be good as is? Is it so both have the same oil? Appreciate your input, I just ordered a new spring for my rally. This video was a huge help.

[@DragosRDS]

I changed the oil just to have the same in both, there is no need to be changed if new and you will use the same viscosity as the original that is 10w !

[@bensteyaert8144]

Great video but I have one question. Where did you find how big the airgap should be?

[@DragosRDS]

Hello Ben. Thank you for watching. I had two sources. I have downloaded from a forum (forgot where) the service manual, and my second source was a youtube channel from USA specialised in forks upgrades. Both sources matched.

[@julioboostamante1]

are you pushing down or pulling up on the cap / rod to release the c Clip ?

[@DragosRDS]

Only pushing

[@scottmunro9080]

Great video just a quick question does the spring need to be a certain side when you fit it ? Thanks

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you. Not mine, because I chose a linear one, a progressive one is different

[@alinn.4341]

Salutare, what's the spring load for the front spring? I found somewhere for 66 eur, but not sure which to buy for my weight of 95kg, 8.0, 9.0 or 10.0 N/M .

[@DragosRDS]

Alin, eu am luat 10N/M pentru 120 de kg (rider full echipat, bagaje pline de 15-18 kg). Succes !

[@vilniusonfire]

Hi, very good video, just one question, how much oil was there left from the 2liters? Thanks.

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you. Honestly I can't remember 😀

[@jacintofjimenez5342]

Pretty good video, thank you for sharing!

[@volodymyrv8007]

Good work man👍👍🛠

[@milo8425]

Hi! Which fork has the spring? You mention left and right but that's subjective to where you are standing and I really only wanna swap my spring, no interest in messing with the other fork. Also too cheap to buy a service manual lol. Thanks!

[@DragosRDS]

So standing on the bike, on your right hand side is the fork with the spring. Anyway, if accidentally, you take the other one, no big deal, you will unscrew the cap, you will see that there is no spring, and you will screw it back :))) Easy job don't worry

[@bradb2514]

Very good tutorial! I enjoyed that.

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you sir !

[@sjconsultants5998]

So just to be clear, its 126mm air gap in the right leg with the spring and 47mm in the left without the spring? Because in the video you're a saying 126mm in the right and 47mm in the right also?

[@DragosRDS]

Yes. First of all, the bike has only one spring. There is no second spring. 126 mm is where the spring is, 47 in the other one without spring.

[@cgmtv]

Hi, great DIY video. New Sub here! Can you describe the difference after the upgrade? I have stock suspensions, front and back and I feel that the front is the weakest of the two, so I want to do this upgrade first. Thanks!

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you for watching ! Actually the difference is night and day ! The bike is stabile, no diving, no wobling at high speed, in the dirt they give you more confidence because the bike is planted ! For me, at 110 kg, the positive difference is huge ! I highly recommend it !

[@cgmtv]

@@DragosRDS Thanks for the quick reply. My front suspension bottoms out often and hard sometimes, especially when riding fast over challenging terrain where you can't foresee the next hole or bump. The back I can ghost it more easily. I'm definitely going for this mod! I recommend you to put some real off-road tires. The IRC are okish, but with 100€ you can completely change the whole experience! cheers

[@DragosRDS]

For sure I will, after the IrC will be worned out

[@timothym2241]

Is it necessary to remove the right fork to swap the spring?

[@DragosRDS]

Hello Timothy, yes, it is necessary to remove it.

[@hankwojo]

When you say left fork or right fork, is that the view from sitting on the bike, or is that the view from standing in front and facing the bike? I'm confused. If you are sitting on the bike, which side is the spring on?

[@DragosRDS]

Always sitting on the bike we say right or left. So the spring is on the right hand side when sitting on the bike !

[@lemoinexavier]

you say the right with the spring, but you see it from the front of your bike. Is it correct the LEFT when you sit on the bike??

[@DragosRDS]

Yes, it is the Left when sitting !

[@lemoinexavier]

@@DragosRDS thank you. Arevedere

[@lemoinexavier]

@@DragosRDS btw: spring is in the right 😉 ..

[@gryndej]

Bought same fork spring as you, got a question. Is it critical to fill same oil in both (10W) or can i fill 7.5W into the right one and leave stock 10w oil in the left one? Asking because i got bottle of 7.5W laying around :D

[@DragosRDS]

I did this once. And I did not felt anything wrong. But in all honesty I would put the same oil in the forks. It is a brand new bike 😀

[@frankbedson4879]

Where did you get the air gap dimensions from? Especially for the right fork (sping side), you mention 126mm air gap without the spring. However, Ive seen it stated at 171mm to the top of the fork.

[@DragosRDS]

I have contacted the company that sold me the rear shock (Nitron R1) and the front spring (K-Tech), Brook Suspension. They sent me the technical details about the airgap, viscosity and the quantity of oil to be used.

[@dannyarrakis5656]

​@@DragosRDSktech website indication is 171mm on the right side. Not 126mm.

[@DragosRDS]

@@dannyarrakis5656 OK. It may be my mistake

[@manuelbritorides]

Excellent video! Just loved your pauses for coffee! Nevertheless, quit smoking!

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you, for sure I will !!!

[@sayuas4293]

Do you think it really made a big difference in riding quality like changing the rear suspension?

[@DragosRDS]

Oh yes. Completly changed the dinamics.

[@sayuas4293]

@@DragosRDS Interesting, I wouldn't have thought that upgrading the front suspension has such a big effect. Can you describe how it improved riding? Thank you

[@jamiecooper3007]

Hi was the k tech spring longer that the standerd spring

[@DragosRDS]

Hello. No, it has the exact same size !

[@ddacaro]

This past week I took a test ride on a KTM 500 EXC (I see you tested a 450 EXC). To me, the KTM felt so precise and easy to maneuver compared to my stock CRF300L that I've been considering selling my 300L, because I need a safe, surgically precise steering/maneuvering bike for treacherous, technical single track alone on steep mountains (I do nature photography). I assumed the precision and hence easier riding experience on the KTM was all about the weight difference of 43 lbs. But, now I'm wondering if it was actually more about the suspension. Have you ridden KTM 500 EXC for comparison to your upgraded suspension CRF300L, or can you speculate otherwise in how your 300L handles for slow technical single track after upgrading?

[@DragosRDS]

Before you change, there are some questions to be answered. How much gear you need to take with you? You need to put it on the bike or you will have it on you? How much range do you need? What is you knowledge on tunning suspensions? I am asking this because: - on the exc you need serious adaptation to carry luggage - the consumption is higher - yes it has one of the best suspension in the world but if you don't know to set it up is for nothing - if you stay overnight in the high mountains be aware of the battery (temperature drops), it will die on you on the exc. Must have electric starter plus kick start The EXC is better in terms of performance (horse power, manuverabity, suspension) but is a rough bike like a wild stallion. You need to know what tot do. In critical situations a wrong twist of the throttle might send you over the edge. It vibrates a lot ! so you need to be aware of that with your expensive photography equipment when you put it on the bike. It has a limited range due to the high consumption. On the other hand the Honda lacks in power and suspension but it is forgiving, it wont send you over the edge, it is predictable, and reliable. Cold or heat it will always start. It has a longer range and you don't need serious mods to put a luggage rack on it. After the suspension mod I did (Nitron rear shock, Kteck front spring) the bike is a little more precise, more stabile, but it wont win any MX competition. It is well adapted for my needs and riding style.When we choose our bikes first we need to be very precise about what are our needs first, and if course after the list of bikes narrows because of our needs we can choose with the heart as well :)

[@omadon99]

KTM 500 EXC is almost double the price of 300l!

[@TheZakkmylde]

@@omadon99 That’s why you buy a 300 L and upgrade the suspension with a few modifications you’ll be much less than a Ktm in a bike that will be much better mechanically and last much longer. I just sold my 350 excf, don’t get me wrong lined the bike. But like mentioned it’s an animal that wants to be ridden hard where as the 300L is smooth and won’t Really surprise you or upset. If you’re thrill seeking the 300L may not be your ride. Performance vs reliability. Usually younger people go for the more aggressive bikes because when we’re young we like that wild side but as you get older sometimes you go for the more practical bike one that will last longer and be more mechanically sound

[@thesurreyrider3396]

Thanks for the great video. I am about to order the same front spring as you from Brook Suspension for my CRF300L. As I am just swapping the spring (right-side), do I need to bother with swapping the left-side oil? The bike has done 1,000 miles. Thanks again :)

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you. No, there is no need to change it if it is new

[@thesurreyrider3396]

@@DragosRDS Thanks mate, cheers

[@lemoinexavier]

Aha, the ´clips´ tonremove that´s my problem... thx! Xavier

[@DragosRDS]

What I did: i took a flathead screwdriver, I grinded it to make it thin, then with the left hand I pushed down on the rod and with the right hand I removed the clips. It took 30-40 minutes. Best of luck and don't give up, you will succeed !

[@wreckum56]

@@DragosRDSyou can also use a ratchet strap to pull down the rod to leave both hands free to use.

[@The_T_Rav]

Excellent video!

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you Travis !

[@jrodbball8244]

Thank you for the tutorial. Have you ridden with the new spring yet? Also, did you install a different (heavier?) fork fluid than what comes from factory?

[@DragosRDS]

Hello, no unfortunatelly I did not have the chance to ride the new spring because of the bad wheather, here is winter. The fork fluid is exactly like the factory one, 10w. I followed the recomendation of the spring manufacturer.

[@jrodbball8244]

@@DragosRDS Ok great. Thank you very much for the reply

[@michaelcrosby6071]

Perfect timing my K- Tech fork spring and fork oil on it's way. Hopefully next week. Good job

[@DragosRDS]

Thank you !

[@DragosRDS]

@@michaelcrosby6071 you will see a huge difference ! Good and cheap choice ! Here in Romania is full on winter but Greta was right, we had 17 celsius plus on 3rd of January :).

[@asiaexpat1]

why swap only 1 spring?

[@DragosRDS]

The fork has only one spring. It is the type of fork called SFF suspension (single function fork)

[@BeyondWrittenWords]

They should make normal and tough suspension versions in the factory, it's ridiculous 60kg person and 120kg person off course need different suspensions setup

[@DragosRDS]

I think they were surprised by their own succes with this bike :))) Anyway it is very hard to keep the price down they did some compromises

[@pmccarthy71]

I may have missed it but what spring did you use?

[@DragosRDS]

Brook Suspension sold me the spring produced by K-Tech, it's a K-Tech linear spring.

[@AG87DDF]

Salut!Ti-am urmarit unele videoclipuri,daca nu ma insel te-am vazut prima data in clipul unor motociclisti straini,nemti sau austrieci,nu mai retin exact,care,la trecerea prin Romania au trecut pe la tine,asa e?La un moment dat,anul acesta,voi achizitiona un CRF 300L nou.Sunt din Campulung si daca iti poti rupe din timpul tau o ora,la primavara,sa vorbim despre CRF,despre modificarile pe care i le-ai adus,puncte forte sau slabe,sfaturi,etc mi-ar face mare placere.Asfalt uscat!

[@DragosRDS]

Salut. Multumesc de vizualizari. Da, prietenii mei din Suedia cu care ma vad anual. Desigur, si mai muml de o ora discutam, te invit chiar sa faci un drive test cu a mea sa vezi despre ce e vorba. Tinem legatura !

[@AG87DDF]

@@DragosRDS Iti multumesc!Sunt placut surprins de amabilitatea ta.Tinem legatura!

[@YA-kl7ny]

Nomad Sweden 😊

[@bradwakefield8919]

Love the comentry

[@chaseblack81pv]

What spring rate did you go with in the front?

[@DragosRDS]

Actually I do not know the rate. They asked me the weight with full gear on, added 15 kg more for bagage and they sent me this one.

[@nickolaschandler7659]

awesome video I just did the fork spring and I am trying to get my front axle back on and its having slightly rough time I am pretty damn sure I am even with my other fork tube did you have any issues or did it just slide back o. 🤦‍♂️

[@DragosRDS]

A lot a lot of issues ! I just moved it hard untill it went in. But check that the wheel is high enough !

[@nickolaschandler7659]

ok thanks I am actualy test fitting the axle on without wheel to make sure I had proper alignment and it looks spot on but axle does not want to slide on easy lol

[@DragosRDS]

Then is wheel, must be at the proper level !

[@nickolaschandler7659]

@@DragosRDS I got the axle on without wheel had to use rubber mallet to hit it threw tightened it on and noticed very small amount of metal shavings so I am probably off a hair I am going to try it with the wheel now should mount up

[@DragosRDS]

Best of luck 😀🤝

[@panusjr]

Awesome video!, how much do you weigh and what K-Tech spring did you chose the 15% over standard or the 30% over standard?

[@DragosRDS]

I honestly don't know. I did not chose. They asked me my weight and the weight of the luggage and they sent one

[@BawanthaDilshan-h7o]

❤

[@niceguyrides]

Should have revalved it in the process.

[@ronald8673]

It is a shame Honda passes off half as#ed designs as a motorcycle now a days. They used to be a great motorcycle company. Sochiro is probably spinning in his grave.

[@DragosRDS]

In this current market, the companies are trying to produce a mass seller. To be able to do that prices must be cut down. And they chose suspension. Now normally this suspension is not bad, but they did not calculate the loads for fat guys like me 😀. It is very difficult to create a bike for Asia loads, a different suspension bike for America and Europe loads. So they did this compromise. Other than that the bike is quite a gem.