Projects for the average home garage guy (or gal) when you're low on bucks with limited tools. Lots of motorcycle, car, house repairs and projects using primarily hand tools vs expensive power/specialty tools. Ways to save money on modifications, your repairs and various projects. Motorcycles and especially motocross, have always been a huge part of my life. As a young man, I worked in motorcycle shops. Lately I’ve dived back into the motorcycle world, having spent decades there, with some tech-how-to videos. A vet MX racer now, I recently placed a HIGHLY modified Honda CRF230F trail bike into a top ten finish at the World Vet Motocross Championships in 2023. I now realize, more than ever, how much I truly love this sport, and yet all that pales in comparison to my commitment to Jesus and HIS will for my life. www.patreon.com/TomBolton/about
Sir please I’ve been looking for the torque specs for the Crf230f top end could you please tell me what they are since you have done a big bore on yours…
@@duckreee3611 Torque for: Cylinder head cap nuts (4) 20 ft pounds Cylinder head cover bolts(4) 9 ft pounds Cylinder head socket bolt (1) 8 foot pounds Cam sprocket bolts (2) 9 foot pounds. Repair Manuals are wonderful things to have.
@@AmoneyC Sorry I do not. I went with the Racing Brothers shock, more expensive, only because the Vonkat had not been released yet. I’ve heard good reviews about it, please let us know what you find out. I did find this link: talks about adjustment for rebound and preload, sag only: hyperlitemoto.com/products/honda-crf250f-adjustable-aluminum-rear-shock
I have an AEM gauge similar to yours I’ve temporarily mounted to a few bikes and a car to set up carburetors. Just bought different bungs and plugs. Jetting is still a pain in the rear, but it really helped get them dialed in. I haven’t figured out the whole computer interface for graphing thing, probably never will...lol
@@Nswhippas230 I don’t think a 150R shock will fit on the 230 because of the piggyback reservoir will hit the airbox. I’ve used an XR250/350 shock (see video) which works pretty good, but the Hagon, or better yet, the Vonkat shock is waaaay better than stock.
If you mean that it’s hitting the frame, First I just ground the frame a bit in that spot and used a thinner walled hose, just so it wouldn’t rub, It still rubbed just a tiny bit, didn’t really like that, so I scoured EBay and finally found a 90 degree inlet, pulled the old one out, pressed the new one in - much better. Use loctite so it won’t leak
Yes, is there any chance you remember any specifics on the fitting? I am going to do the same thing but can’t find a fitting. Also any advice you can give on how to switch the fitting over never done anything like that before. Thanks for the reply!!!
@@thefarmkid1938 The fitting does not come out easy. I had to remove the carb, COMPLETELY DRAIN out any fuel, apply some heat, twist it out, it Will pretty much ruin the fitting by removing it, so make sure the new one will fit first. Good luck finding one, not that easy. Easier to just grind frame a bit, it’s a strong area, just grind small area minimum amount needed. Use a strong but thinner wall fuel line. Good luck.
@@thefarmkid1938 Sorry I don’t. but I do remember I had to sand off a lot of it with emory sandpaper to make it fit. it looked kind of like this one: www.ebay.com/itm/175680672890?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=SVoiZd1EQBO&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=dUylyqUjRda&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
I have an xr250 shock and was going to do this mod, but I ride tough single track in Tennessee/kentucky not MX. is this a good choice? Can the spring be changed?
Untighten 🤣 I’ve since swapped the XR shock for a Racing Brothers, their shock was better except it lasted about 1 year then it blew up internally. “They wanted over $350 to repair it. “out of warranty”.
That’s what I’m running with 150r forks up front. I use it for tight single track here in East Tennessee. Learned a lot from your vids! And copied you a lot!
Your videos are heroic 😂 so I got a 2004 FTR223 JDM import to UK as a donor bike, the engine is going in my 1981 XR200R, which is 4 kilos lighter than a stock crf230, nearly 10 kilos lighter than the FTR, the FTR engine is slightly more powerful from stock, and, all the CRF parts fit, I got a Athena 240 cylinder and piston kit, Psychic Valves, BBR cam, Wossner Conrod, WRP crank bearings and a Pro com CDI, thanks to yourself I now have a XR250 carb and just ordered a CRF150 Flywheel, all I need now is a set of rims spokes rim tape tubes and tyres and some powder coating, oh and I also got a alloy swing arm from a XR250 (needs machine/engineer works to fit the width of the 200 pivot mount) already have Maier mudguards and a vintage UFO headlight and LED indicators (it will be road legal) , ah 😂 and I have a 1986 CR125 front end and billet yokes, and a gps Speedo and digital tachometer...shock is a XR250 YSS from Thailand, fully adjustable......anyhows... thanks Mister, and thanks for being that genuine ex psychiatric worker, I met a few in my youth, a few, but very gracious people.
I see you are demented as myself. Sounds like a fun project. Your parts choices are good, I’ve heard the Athena kit is very good, though not sure about the BBR cam, I’ve heard they are not that good. Check out Gabe’s 230 racing exploits on Torture Test Magazine RU-vid, he’s young and hilarious. Good luck cheers and Thanks for watching.
@@lowbuckgarage1 hi !! Okay thanks! 🙏🏻 Yeh I've heard one side and another about the BBR cam, but it's on CRFSONLY site ,, my exhaust front pipe is also non stock, I had a stainless larger bore pipe made rather than a power bomb one...anyways thanks 👍🏻👍🏻
Where did you find that a 2021 CRF 250R weighs 204 lb? Honda says it's 237 lb wet, which is how you'd ride it. But if it were empty, that'd be 225 lb, which is a good weight for a 250 MX bike. And I dig the weight reduction project, but you didn't really answer why? If you wanted to moto, a used CRF250 can be found for less than $4k. do some maintenance the PO deferred, and you're way ahead in the capability of the machine. Clearly, you are capable of taking care of any bike, even ones with more frequent maint. requriements.
True. A CRF250R is a more capable bike hands down. However I wanted a simple air cooled, 6 speed and more importantly, Electric start bike so I decided to modify the 230. I mistakenly used Wikibikes for the weight info, my bad, and I believe they are incorrect or they mistakenly used specs from the CR250R two stroke - dry weight 205. Many sites show DRY weight - no fluids, at 213. I’m still under $4,000 with the 230 even with the addition of the CRF150R forks and Racing Brothers shock, massive weight reduction and engine mods. Granted, it was a LOT of work, but It’s now a very capable race bike in the amateur ranks. However It may be time to modify a 2006 up YZ250! Thanks for watchin! bikeswiki.com/Honda_CRF250
Im 20 myself and I like to piddle around in the trails with my crf230. I worry about joint problems when I'm older with all the constant jostling around on the trails. Any tips you can share to me concerning preserving my joints?? You seem to be as limber as anybody!
Lack of use destroys joints. Proper warm up, consistent everyday activity within reason and yoga stretching! My dad rode motorcycles into his 80’s he was always active everyday, walking, working.
I see that you do not have the kick stand fitted, would this get in the way do you think? Also, I have converted my 230 to have a rear disc, I use the rear mounting bolt to connect my pedal return spring to. I am sure I can rework that though. Did your billet pedals not clash with the head of your plate mounting bolt? Great video, shows what can be done in a basic workshop.
ok!!! rick ramsey the crf 230f information champion has gone out of his way and had his source make up more brake conversion bracket kits.(on his web page) I am happy now (crf150r fork swap on crf230f using 230f wheel)
Yes horsepower is a problem, it’s maybe 30 if I’m lucky. I’m only about $3500 into it so that’s not bad, it’s been a fun project. Next project is likely a 250 2stroke CR or YZ.
Great video, I’m 48 years old and it’s very comforting to see that I can have many more years of riding ahead of me. I’m in Ohio but my bucket list has riding at that track on it lol
Thank you for this great video, enjoyable. Out here in New England about a half hour from Southwick. Cold and snowy right now. I’m eligible to ride your class, looks like a great event and fun weekend you had back in November. Good luck with the Honda 230 in the future, keep on posting videos.
Perhaps you ride more inspired on the wee bike, eh? You weren't in danger of over-reving the YZ, to be sure. You needed a 450 for that low rpm range. Gutted for ya on the blown shock. Time to step it up with a basket of spares. Like, bars, wheel set, perches, stawk engine, all levers and yup...a shock. Have a great year.
I dreamed of being a fighter pilot 😂. I watched Top Gun religiously. The dirt bike has been by far the best thing on earth. Surfing, snowboarding, booty, all behind the feel of riding a dirt bike! I call it sexy time, you just feel sexy af when you're riding good.
cool project. I bought my son a klx125 and did a KX85 front end and rear shock . that bike is awesome now. wish i would have done a video on it. way easier than people think it is.
I thought the video was great and I think your accident was you unfortunately. Still a great race. My concern there was I don’t see flag men so it made me very nervous when you hit the hills. I think there could be a bad crash without some flags
No doubt, the danger is real. With so many choices and options to ruin our lives, drugs, crime, drinking, video games, porn, endless entertainment, cults, idol worship, you name it, it’s so hard to choose.
