Honda CRF450X 2009, Owner'S Manual & Competition Handbook

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HONDA O/M CRF450X (Eu) 3RMEY620 00X3R-MEY-6200
Adjustments for Competition
113
Front Suspension Adjustments
Both compression and rebound damping can be
increased by turning the adjuster clockwise.
Always start with full hard when adjusting
damping.
Do not turn the adjuster screw more than the
given positions or the adjuster may be damaged.
Be sure that the rebound and compression
adjusters are firmly located in a detent, and not
between positions.
NOTICE
Front Suspension Disassembly
• If your CRF is brand-new, put enough part-
throttle break-in time (about 1 hour) on it to
ensure that the suspension has worked in.
• For optimum performance, and extended fork
life, the fork should be completely
disassembled and cleaned after the first 3
hours of riding. See the Shop Manual or your
Honda dealer for this service.
• When disassembling the fork, turn the
rebound (1) and compression (2) damping
adjusters counterclockwise to the softest
position to prevent damaging the adjustment
needle (be sure to record the number of turns
from the starting position).
Fork Springs
The fork springs in CRF’s are about right for
riders weighing between 68 kg (150 lbs) and 73
kg (160 lbs) (less riding gear). So if you're a
heavier rider, you have to go up on the oil
capacity or get a stiffer spring. Do not use less oil
than the minimum specified for each spring or
there will be a loss of rebound damping control
near full extension. If the fork is too hard on big
bumps, turn the damping adjuster
counterclockwise 1-turn and lower the oil
capacity in increments of 5 cm
3 (0.2 oz) in both
fork legs until the desired performance is
obtained. Do not, however, lower the oil capacity
below the minimum oil capacity.
Minimum oil level:
Standard spring: 306 cm 3 (10.3 US oz,
10.8 Imp oz)
Softer spring: 311 cm 3 (10.5 US oz,
10.9 Imp oz)
Stiffer spring: 309 cm 3 (10.5 US oz,
10.9 Imp oz)
When adjusting oil capacity, bear in mind that
the air in the fork will increase in pressure while
riding; therefore, the higher the oil capacity, the
higher the eventual pressure of any air in the
fork.
(1) rebound damping adjuster
(2) compression damping adjuster
(1)
(2)
F
orce (N)
Stroke (mm)
Oil level 402 cm
3
(13.6 US oz,
14.2 Imp oz) (MAX)
Oil level 324 cm 3 (11.0 US oz,
11.4 Imp oz) (STANDARD)
Oil level 306 cm
3
(10.3 US oz,
10.8 Imp oz) (MIN)
(1) rebound damping adjuster
(2) compression damping adjuster
(1)
(2)