Other Bringing back a Crf230l

J

johnrunner

Alright guys, so like some of the guys I ride with, I wanted a back up dual sport bike. But I also wanted one that could fit the role of a buddy bike. So I was looking for something that had enough power to handle most trails yet with bullet proof reliability and low maintenance. And to get that all in one package, nothing beats an air-cooled engine. But I also wanted a bike that was light weight, as most dual sport bikes seem to be nearly 300lbs! (Even alot of the new 2012 and 2013 bikes). So through a little bit of research and youtube vids, I was set on a CRF230L. Only around 250lbs dry plus alot of potential to lose lots of weight. So the then the search came on for finding one. Here in Socal, these bikes come on the market once every blue moon and when they do, they sell FAST. Plus, there resell value is great, which sucks for buyers. After checking craigslist every day for months and texting/calling sellers as quick as I can, I finally got my hands on one.

This is the same license plate holder I want!

CRF-230L-pipebike.jpg


First thing is the battery as the stock one is pretty beat and heavy. Then is gearing change. Next is mirrors and then the expensive pipe, maybe new carb etc comes with time.


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So how hard is it to pull a carb and rejet this thing? Having FI leaves me oblivious to jetting and carbs. Had one on my old YZ but NEVER rejetted it.
 
PALMER84ONE

PALMER84ONE

johnrunner:
Alright guys, so like some of the guys I ride with, I wanted a back up dual sport bike. But I also wanted one that could fit the role of a buddy bike. So I was looking for something that had enough power to handle most trails yet with bullet proof reliability and low maintenance. And to get that all in one package, nothing beats an air-cooled engine. But I also wanted a bike that was light weight, as most dual sport bikes seem to be nearly 300lbs! (Even alot of the new 2012 and 2013 bikes). So through a little bit of research and youtube vids, I was set on a CRF230L. Only around 250lbs dry plus alot of potential to lose lots of weight. So the then the search came on for finding one. Here in Socal, these bikes come on the market once every blue moon and when they do, they sell FAST. Plus, there resell value is great, which sucks for buyers. After checking craigslist every day for months and texting/calling sellers as quick as I can, I finally got my hands on one. It's an 09' with only 600miles and was in like new condition. Got it for over $600 under current listed Nadaguides value :thumb: So now the fun part comes, customizing.

Only mod the bike has is the air box mod. Which removes a flap to allow it to breath more. Since the bike set for multiple months at a time, I'm thinking I need to clean the carb. Put in some new jets and drain the old gas. With time, I plan on putting on a light weight power boosting FMF new pipe, removing the huge heavy mirrors, adding a lightweight foldaway, removing the ugly heavy rear license plate holder and adding something small and light weight. Plus adding a lightweight Shorai Lithium battery.

First thing is the battery as the stock one is pretty beat and heavy. Then is gearing change. Next is mirrors and then the expensive pipe, maybe new carb etc comes with time.


View attachment 14110


So how hard is it to pull a carb and rejet this thing? Having FI leaves me oblivious to jetting and carbs. Had one on my old YZ but NEVER rejetted it.
Click to expand...

Stop right there.

I call bull shit on back up bike!
1) This will be your main ride because the 350 is to fast.
2) This is Triplets bike (AKA Dad) not buddy and/or backup.
3) You just like RED better than Ehum....:puke:Orange.

OK, carry on.
 
J

johnrunner

PALMER84ONE:
Stop right there.

I call bull shit on back up bike!
1) This will be your main ride because the 350 is to fast.
2) This is Triplets bike (AKA Dad) not buddy and/or backup.
3) You just like RED better than Ehum....:puke:Orange.


OK, carry on.
Click to expand...

Wrong, wrong, wrong :smirk:. Orange is greater than all other colors....combined! :P buddy bike/dad bike/back up bike...all purposes filled by this scooter :thumb:

If I can't figure out the carb/jetting and i need assistance, iI know you got two crf230 in your arsenal...so have your tools ready cause ill show up unexpected :lol:
 
J

johnrunner

Alright so tonight was a start. Got rid of the huge heavy dumbo mirrors and installed a small foldaway one. I also installed the new spark plug since the other has been in there for years. Drained the carb bowl and gas tank and added fresh gas. And the biggest thing was we installed a new 12 tooth front counter sprocket (stock was 13). That was fairly straight forward (Taking off the rear wheel on that bike was a pain as the darn spacers LOVE to fall out! :smirk:), I was just confused at first when I saw that the stock counter sprocket had two rubber spacers on it and the new sprocket didn't. Did a little bit of reading online and learned that OEM front sprocket sometimes come with those fused on to help with noise reduction. But performance wise, I was definitely able to feel the gain in bottom end grunt as it picks up to 40mph quickly and I really like it. Maybe adding two more teeth to the rear will make it that much more worthy :thinking: But top speed will be like 60mph :smirk: Thanks to my bro (mmjsport) for all the help! :hail:

Only thing we didn't get done as it's getting late was removing the carb and cleaning it. Hopefully I'll get it done this upcoming week. Saw a lot parts to disconnect so I'm a little nervous :bonk:

I turned up the idle on the bike as it seemed terribly low, and I noticed that the bike will maintain it's idle but then drop low for a little bit then go back up to speed. At one point it went down so low, the bike turned off. I'm thinking since the old gas in the carb sat in there for several months, the float is getting stuck? :confused:
 
J

johnrunner

KTMRack:
If you were a true buddy you would ride that POS and let your buddy ride the 350! :prof:
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I let my buddy ride my 350 for nearly 15 miles worth of trails yesterday! :prof: He loved it so much he said he is buying one and going to set it up just like I have mine. I rode his smoker with all the bells and whistles (stabilizer, rekluse clutch etc) and WOW those cheater clutches are just that...CHEATING!
 
Rack

Rack

johnrunner:
I let my buddy ride my 350 for nearly 15 miles worth of trails yesterday! :prof: He loved it so much he said he is buying one and going to set it up just like I have mine. I rode his smoker with all the bells and whistles (stabilizer, rekluse clutch etc) and WOW those cheater clutches are just that...CHEATING!
Click to expand...

Yep. If I didn't have a rekluse id never get out of first gear!
 
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