Hi Rick,
Great job on producing the "quintessential" reference guide on the Honda
CRF-230.  Now that I've buttered you up, a question:  In part 5 you talked a
bit about octane ratings (before any mods, 86; after jetting, exhaust &
airbox  mods, 87; after BBR exhaust, 92).  Now, the owner's manual
recommends minimum 91 octane (at least the one I got up here in Canada
does).  Any legitimacy to this?  Or is Honda in cahoots with the gas
companies to get us to buy the expensive stuff unnecessarily.

Thanks,
Jeremy Mote
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Actually, regular gas that runs around 87-88 octane will make the Honda ping and detonate under any sort of a load, or when the temperature is hot.  Most any gas station has high test that's 91 or 92 octane.  Use it. 

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SUBJECT: PROJECT HONDA CRF230F - WORK ON THE FORKS

 I recently came across a set of CR 85 inverted forks to swap with my stock 230 forks. Before I purchase them I was wondering, I am about 185 lbs will the CR 85 forks be too small. I also changed the jetting and had no luck. we tried all the settings on the jet and almost wore out the adjustment screw on the carb. Could I have gotten a bad jet or should I let my local dealer work on it.
Thanks
Bernard

Please don’t even think about mini bike forks on a full sized bike.  Use the jetting we recommended in our Project and you should have no problem at all.  No one – repeat NO ONE – has had a problem with our jetting. If you are, you’re doing something wrong.

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SUBJECT: PROJECT HONDA CRF230F - FRONT END FIX

Dear Rick,
This is in regards to your article in part 8, about the 1985 CR250 forks. In part 9 you ended up using 1987 CR250 forks for your second best choice, over the 1984 CR125 forks. When you guys did the 1985 CR250 swap did you find it ok but not the best or did it end up not that great? I'm asking because I already have some 1985 CR250 forks. I'm a 190lb's with gear and 5'7". Thanks for your great work.
John Keeney

Both forks worked well, but if you’re heavier (and you are), go with the 250  forks and you’ll be happier.

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SUBJECT: PROJECT HONDA CRF230F -  GEARING

I am looking to do some different gearing with my 230 and was wanting to
run a 14t on the front sprocket and a 45 on the rear I don't do a lot of
track riding mainly just open trails and pretty high speeds right know I
hardly ever use 1-3 gears would this be too low of gearing and would I
have to shorten my chain I still have a lot of room with my slack
adjusters.

Thanks
Jonathan
Eielson AFB, AK



The 230 will pull that gearing easily and you shouldn’t have to shorten your chain  unless it’s badly stretched.

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SUBJECT: FORKS

Hi Rick,
 I recently purchased a new 2007 Honda 230f for my grandson. ( my question )   i would like to install a set of upside down forks on this puppy.  Is there any one out there that you know of or can recommend that would be interested in doing this job??   
thanks for your time Rick.

Fred Angelo
San Diego
                             

You might try Keith Lynas at Ossa Planet at KLynas@aol.com   He’s the guy who  can do most anything.  Tell him Rick sent you.

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SUBJECT: CRF 230 REAR BRAKES QUESTION

Hi Rick
Love your stuff

I have an 2004 CRF 230 F  It has been re-jetted and de-restricted.  I am a 5'11" 200 lb rider and I have to question if this is the right bike for me.  If Honda North America had a clue they would make an XR 250 with inverted front forks and an electric starter and a rear disk brake like this one for the north american market

Then we wouldn't have to screw around with all of these conversions. 
Oh well like you said the 230 could be a great bike.  It’s just a matter of time and money. 

Rear disk brake set up from XR 250 used with the rear wheel from the same. 

Question : 
what do you think ? 
will it mount with the bracket that is already on the 230 swing arm ?
i will have to make a bracket for the reservoir.  what other complications could you see ?

Thanks in advance
Wyatt

The reason we went with a drum brake is because of the cost.  If you buy all the parts and the do all the fabrication and welding necessary, it’s going to be very expensive.  Too expensive, in my opinion.

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SUBJECT: OPEN HER UP

Dear Rick,
Consider me a new rider at 53 years of age. My 2005 CRF 230 works well for me. a friend said if you remove the exhaust tip, open the top of the air box and re jet to what ever, that you could see a definite increase in performance. any truth to this.
Thanks
Mark Hedrick
Ft.Worth TX.

Yes indeed, if you open up the air box and remove the exhaust clutter, combined with re-jetting as per our Project article, you’ll find a huge gain in performance.

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