How To Upgrade the Fork Spring on a Honda CRF250L Rally

[@Rideskishore]

Fantastic video guys! I just did my fork tonight using this step by step video.

[@BlessedBeTheAdventure]

I know this is an old video! But thank you very much for the information!

[@rmatvmc]

Glad you liked the video! We appreciate the feedback and views.

[@TaskSwitcherify]

Nice, concise, and informative! Thanks!

[@tomcrnkovich1661]

Man you guys are on it. I'm looking to do this exact mod on a '14 model. Will be ordering from RM shortly. Thanks a bunch.

[@rmatvmc]

Sweet to hear *Tom Crnkovich!* You'll love the more progressive feel it provides. Thanks for watching sir!

[@powerwagon3731]

I ride Moto cross bikes off-road so I’m use to a stiff suspension. I then rode my friends CRF 250 L and it felt way too soft and hard to control for a 175 lb. rider with gear on easy to moderate trails. I sending him a link to this video. Thanks!

[@phuketbungalowinfo2757]

GREAT Vid, thanks for sharing ... going to do it soon, the CRF-Rally is terrible soft :) And THANKS also for using Millimeters... finally someone! so much easier the metric system

[@cheetah694]

It's not only terribly soft, it's just terrible.

[@youraussiematedean2506]

This race tech spring kit is for the left shock only, it doesn’t come with fork oil. I used 10W oil, 500ml’s of it. I have a 2013 CRF250L and it all fit perfectly and the video was easy to relate to and that made it easier. The only thing that was different is that my pipe was black plastic and not alloy and the small black cap didn’t sit on the pipe nice like in the video.

[@yamkaw346]

Have you had any problems with it? Mine also came with the black plastic and I’m worried about it holding up

[@youraussiematedean2506]

Logan Newcome I have sold the bike, I think it should be okay, maybe take it out every 1000 or 2000km if you are worried and inspect it? Racetech is a pretty good company so fingers crossed!!

[@yamkaw346]

Angry Labrador With a background in motocross I plan of beating it pretty hard. Well see what happens.👍

[@LTPersonTDM]

if you own crf250l do this and for the rear add 3 washer under the spring (take it out, compress it, add washers, top adjustment all the way down) this will save you $700 and will be NIGHT&DAY

[@snaxgalore5764]

Have you done it yourself? How hard is it

[@flint755]

Awesome tutorial! Is there some difference with the metal spacer compared to the Black plastic spacer from other supplies?

[@gothops154]

3:45 how do I measure torque with tools like that?? Are there c clamp torque wrenches like that?

[@robblanorman7161]

I'm planning on using my crowfoot wrenches. They snap onto your torque wrench (or any socket driver). Never done it this way, but that's what came to my mind when I saw that.

[@ryanthibodeau9756]

Just bought the Ohlin's. Hoping the install goes well.

[@robertsilvarprmotoracing9083]

How much oil in that suspension??

[@romanrandall7735]

Hi I’m in Australia and just fitted your kit, super great and love it. Will it hurt it because I reused the original fork oil as I was on a very tight budget?

[@HORNET6]

What’s with the added ‘en’ to damping? Dampen or dampening means making something slightly wet. Damping is what goes on in the forks 👍

[@d_ressu]

"Start by placing the bike on a suitable working stand." - Proceeds to place the 155Kg bike on a 135Kg stand.

[@jerkychew899]

So here's where I'm confused - maybe you can help. The Ohlins kit for this bike has a video where they don't say which fork leg they're taking apart but they pull a spring out and replace it with the one from their kit. This video makes it seem like Race Tech is installing a spring on the opposite fork leg, where there wasn't a spring previously. Am I looking at this right? Why does Ohlins replace the spring while Race Tech adds one? Which is better?

[@FishEaglesCall]

Hi Jerky, not sure if you've found the answer to your question. If not, here it is. The Ohlins spring is a progressive spring and Race Tech is linear. So, you only require one spring if it's progressive, as it offers more resistance the more the spring is compressed. Therefore in the Ohlins video, they simply replace the original OEM spring (which is linear) in the right fork with a progressive spring. The advantage of a progressive spring is that it is more responsive and offers a more comfortable ride as it only stiffens up when compressed more. The linear spring maintains a consistant compression rate. So basically by adding an extra linear spring, you stiffen up the ride right from the get. Progressive for easy/moderate adventure and also beneficial for non-adjustable shoks Linear for hard adventure and enduro, if you are not so worried about asphalt comfort. Recommended read: advrider.com/f/threads/linear-or-progressive-springs.870624/#post-37997207 motorbikewriter.com/progressive-linear-springs/

[@davidwima5965]

Not sure if you can do a after market speedometer wiring to the HONDA CRF 250L Video please if you can ? There is nothing out there for it in detail.

[@p.santos6644]

Thank you for sharing. Why 600cc in one and 500cc in the other ? Should not be the same? 🇬🇧

[@mattsloop2736]

Probably the extra spring and tube take up some space the oil would have taken up. So less oil fills it to the same height as without a spring.

[@jeffloucks2120]

@@mattsloop2736 Tube/spacer/preload washers

[@kkaknot6027]

dual Spring?

[@tunit3727]

For the love of god please do a racetech rear spring tutorial too.

[@rmatvmc]

We are currently looking into viable options for the rear shock on the Rally. We tested out an HD spring and the stock shock just doesn't have the valving to handle the heavier duty spring. With the gear weight and terrain that we are riding the shock blows through the stroke and feels very pogostick-E. A fully adjustable complete replacement rear shock is probably the best option, and when we get it dialed in we will for sure do a video for it! - Wes

[@BlazinBlades]

Rocky Mountain ATV MC Thanks! I second that request! I weigh 220 lbs and just sitting on the bike “consumes” about 2/3 of the travel... Cheers BB

[@SHIDDYDRAHLS]

I upgraded the left fork per the video. Instead of adding oil to the right fork, I drained the old oil out and filled it up with 600cc of fork oil. I’m just not sure I did it correctly. What is the process for draining and refilling the oil in the right fork?

[@rmatvmc]

*SHIDDYDRAHLS* From the sounds of it, it did it right. Drain the fork fluid out from the top cap, measure out the new fork fluid and add. The right fork is a simpler process. You should be good with how you serviced it. Thanks for watching!

[@edwindol3597]

@@rmatvmc Honda gave us specs for this in their workshop manual, you measure the oil level from the top down the inner tube. for the right side 250L=12.2cm 250Rally=12.6cm

[@dingus5067]

Do the fork caps have to be cracked before removal?

[@rmatvmc]

Cracking the caps before removal is easier than after removal. If you have soft jaws for a vise, then you can do it in a vise.

[@donavenlandry366]

Does this work on the crf 300L also?

[@scottsmith31]

Do you need to buy the oil separate or does it come with the kit?

[@rmatvmc]

You will need to buy whatever kind of oil you need separately.

[@allans7281]

Race Tech says a re-valve option should be included. I did not see it in your install- do you recommend it, is it needed Thanks!

[@LeakieTikii]

Should have mentioned fork alignment at the end!

[@petersoden7558]

Just got my kit in from you yesterday. Race Tech recommends 5 wt oil and you recommend 10 wt. Which should I use?

[@rmatvmc]

*Peter Soden* On Race Tech's website they recommend the 10w as well for an alternative fork oil. Fork Oil (USF05=5w, *OSFO 10=10w* , etc.) We were planning to pack some extra luggage on the bike, as well with our rider weight. So we went with some 10w fork oil to help beef up the front forks.

[@donald4269]

What MM is the front axel bolt, is that an inverted bolt/hex or just a standard socket...?

[@rmatvmc]

*Donald* we used a hex socket. I want to say it's a 14mm hex? but i'm sure this tool might be your ticket? Check it out here: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/989/19018/Tusk-Hex-Axle-Tool . Your service manual will have the info you're looking for as well. Thanks

[@stuh7049]

17MM according to a mechanic

[@nevillet.chompington5039]

@@stuh7049 This is going to sound harsh, but people who don't know the facts, but want to jump in and mansplain shit are tiring time wasters. Are you that mechanic? You should read a service manual and stop gossiping, which is what hearsay is. Why answer when you don't know, and no one asked ya? Did you call your mechanic buddy and say, "It's me stu, what size nut is it?" He said, "I dunno, 17mm I bet. My KTM is 17mm..."...well, you're both wrong! The crf250l/crf250L Rally is 14mm. It is not 17mm. I'm not a mechanic. I just actually own the bike. A17mm hex is useless to me on my crf250l.

[@stuh7049]

@@nevillet.chompington5039 the only thing hash is your personal anger. Was just adding comment on what a read on another CRF 250 fork video. I did not say I know for sure was just trying to be helpful. Take your comment police somewhere else. Braaaap

[@R0ger007]

14mm hex.

[@gBeau55]

K, so did the left fork have a spring in it before the aftermarket kit? Didn't see you take a spring out, before you installed the new kit. Or are you adding a second spring to the front forks to supplement the right fork? Sorta confused by video

[@rmatvmc]

We added a spring to the left fork which didn't come from the factory with a spring. We explain this from 0:16 to 0:54 in this video.

[@1203chunjen]

crf300 can use this product

[@davidjedibob9028]

How do you measure the preload? Race tech said 4mm when i called how do i verify this?

[@garrettwessman998]

does this work on CRF 250L as well or just Rally version?

[@rmatvmc]

Yes, we offer these springs for the CRF 250L also and the install will be very similar. You can check them out here, just make sure to enter in your correct bike model and it'll show all the correct specs for you in the description. www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/race-tech-fork-springs-p Thanks for watching!

[@skydawgp]

Awesome, I want to do front and back on my 16...

[@aaronjohnson2317]

Is the 2017 Honda crf250l rally insides the same as a standard 2017 crf250l

[@rmatvmc]

The internal design is the same for both the 250L and 250L Rally, so this video will still be helpful on your CRF250L. However, the Rally and 250L use different part numbers for the springs.

[@kendoholder8506]

Same steps for a 2016 crf 250l?

[@crazychicken675]

What upgraded rear shock do you recommend?

[@rmatvmc]

I would either look at the Race Tech option or the Ohlins. Both would be a huge upgrade over the stock shock. - Wes

[@petergroome3287]

Added the kit to my 2019 250L. Although the ride is a whole lot better there is now a discernible knocking noise when riding over rougher terrain ie: the forks are more fully compressed. Is this usual? Do I need to add more preload? I did use 5w oil.

[@epp1026del]

Ever find out what the noise was??

[@mylesmorris5017]

I know this is a old comment but did you ever figure it out? My bike is doing the same thing.

[@petergroome3287]

@@mylesmorris5017 Long time ago. I think I tried 10w oil and that helped.

[@captsam54]

Wondering if you have a almost brand new Honda Rally if you have to pour out the existing oil? and just use the oil in place..??

[@ramirosoto7333]

Did you get an answer to this

[@jeffloucks2120]

If it's brand new pour it out into a clean container and re-measure when going back in. You'll lose a bit when swapping so have a bottle ready to top off. (Hold to refresh both sides later after next service) If you've got some decent miles on I'd personally be pulling both legs apart and giving everything a good clean with parts/contact cleaner. Rebuild with fresh oil.

[@zzxx33mh]

OMG, how clean and easy is it..

[@cemuyan6071]

Can you share the oil amount of the original front suspension? I know 5w oil thickness. They said different with L, I could not reach anywhere. I would really appreciate if you can help. Thanks, cheers

[@cemuyan6071]

I found the amount of fabricated oil with the original spring 631 g right - 712 g left. Is it correct??

[@pgirard26]

I noticed that you poured 10wt fork oil back in. Is that the OE stock wt oil?

[@bobbiwest8954]

yes

[@jaybirdevans7409]

Doesn’t appear you are using a torque wrench. Are you just eye balling it?

[@joebernadetteg.3761]

Good vid...laughing at the "135 kg max load" sticker on his lift, which is 297 lb. No stock CRF-L weighs under 300 lb. Of course it's not over by much, and the stand won't collapse, just sayin'....

[@edwindol3597]

really.. we literally watched the video ourselves and can see it doesn't collapse.. thanks for sharing, genius..

[@MrGordonchase]

If the bike is designed to have a single spring in the right fork and no spring in the left fork, why not simply replace the existing spring in the right fork with a stronger one better suited to the weight of western males rather than OEM one obviously more suited to Asian weights? By adding a spring in the left fork, which wasn't designed to have one, don't you now have a situation where you will likely have two forks with different spring tensions in them, plus the extra weight of an additional spring?

[@edwindol3597]

i agree plus more unsprung weight having 2 springs which bring the performance down actually then bringing it up like they mention here lol you could also on the right side spring the original and use some washers like included in the set of racetech here to make it more stiff