Front Suspension Adjustments
Adjustments for Competition
127
The front suspension can be adjusted for the rider's
weight and riding conditions by using one or more
of the following methods:
• Oil volume
— The effects of higher or lower
fork oil capacity are only felt during the final
3.9 in (100 mm) of fork travel.
• Compression damping
— Turning the
compression damping adjuster (1) adjusts how
quickly the fork compresses.
• Rebound damping
— Turning the rebound
damping adjuster (2) adjusts how quickly the
fork extends.
• Fork springs
— Optional springs are
available in soft and stiff types than the
standard rate. (page 162)
The inverted fork on your CRF features sealed
damper cartridges with dual (separate air and oil)
chambers to prevent aeration. The design also
isolates the oil in each fork/damper, which may
contain air bubbles and/or metal particles, from the
sealed cartridge to provide more consistent
damping.
Air is an unstable gas which builds up pressure as it
is worked (such as in a fork). Air pressure acts as a
progressive spring and affects the entire range of
fork travel. This means the fork action on your CRF
will get stiffer during a race. For this reason, release
built-up air pressure in the fork legs between motos.
Be sure the fork is fully extended with the front tire
off the ground when you release the pressure.
The standard air pressure is 0 psi (0 kPa, 0 kgf/cm
2
).
You may relieve accumulated air pressure in the fork
legs by using the air pressure release screws. The
front wheel should be off the ground before you
release the pressure. The air pressure should be
adjusted according to the altitude and outside
temperature.
1. Place an optional workstand under the engine,
so that the front wheel is off the ground.
Do not adjust air pressure with the front wheel
on the ground as this will give false pressure
readings.
2. Remove the air pressure release screw (1).
3. Apply recommended fork oil to a new O-ring
(2), and then install the new O-ring.
4. Install and tighten the air pressure release
screw to the specified torque:
1.0 lbf·ft (1.3 N·m, 0.1 kgf·m)
The procedure is the same for the both right and
left fork legs.
(1) compression damping adjuster
(2) rebound damping adjuster
(1)
(2)
Front Suspension Air Pressure
(1) air pressure release screw
(2) O-ring (new)
(2)
(1)
