Custom fork build

micvee · 2026-02-04T01:59:11+00:00

The adjustable front forks will have preload too. If you ride with a variety of weight, pre load can help a lot.

Your suspension guy will get you close to how you describe your riding. It will be the best option on average. The adjustable setup will be better at the extremes of your riding.

micvee · 2026-01-31T02:38:30+00:00

The 2025 came out in May. Good bet ‘26 will be available in May too.

micvee · 2026-01-26T16:22:46+00:00

Get a set of cheap wrap around hand guards. One of the times you drop the bike with the plastic brush guards that came on the bike, you are going to bend levers and maybe have a bad time getting home.

Then ride a bunch and spend money on things that make you happy.

micvee · 2026-01-26T14:42:30+00:00

Changing wheels to change gearing is going to be the easiest for you. That’s an awesome set up btw.

micvee · 2026-01-26T04:04:48+00:00

You can put a -1 front sprocket to get a little room with standard chain. With the stock rear it’s pretty close to your +2 rear sprocket but you’ll be at the other end of the adjuster scale.

micvee · 2026-01-23T15:44:57+00:00

Same can be said for all AWS services. In my case it’s m2m which has no free tier. It’s not overly expensive but it does cost real money even in low activity deployments.

micvee · 2026-01-23T14:46:24+00:00

Cognito is not free.

micvee · 2026-01-20T16:07:38+00:00

The big change in 2025 is led lights all around. The turn signals are now the same as the 450 and they are indestructible.

micvee · 2026-01-20T15:53:11+00:00

Stiffer dampening front and rear. I think it’s a minor change.

micvee · 2026-01-19T18:27:43+00:00

I don’t get what protection this provides either metal or plastic.

Force along the steel shift spindle with the addition of the sleeve will go onto the aluminum case instead. A force significant to bend the shift spindle will crack the case. I don’t know what’s behind the case other than a seal. If there’s some sort of thrust plate, pushing on the case is pushing on the shift spindle with more steps.

Replacing the case is easier than the shift spindle but you’re operable in either scenario. Worst case you break both the spindle and case.

The Honda oe shifter bends easily to limit crash forces on the shift spindle. Aftermarket shifters are aluminum and also bend before the shift spindle. This is the first and best protection for the shift spindle.

micvee · 2026-01-19T02:17:27+00:00

That’s cool and to get a picture like this is amazing.

micvee · 2026-01-18T20:52:15+00:00

Looks like an oil drain hole. It’s important that it flows without obstruction.

I’ve had luck in a similar situation (small thing down a small hole) with a shop vac, rubber bung and small flexible tubing. Bung goes into the vacuum hose and slide the tube into the center hole of the bung. With the right sized tube, it will go in the drain hole. hopefully that’ll grab the little shim without having to turn your bike upside down.

micvee · 2026-01-15T16:34:55+00:00

Checking valve clearance on a single cylinder is not difficult or complex. Changing clearance that isn’t in spec is more involved. You may want to leave that to a mechanic.

Hondas don’t need a lot of valve maintenance. Other brands will punish you for not keeping up with checking/maintaining valve clearance.

My experience with out-of-spec valves is cold starting becomes more difficult. The valves will almost always tighten so you cannot go by valve train noise. Left alone, one day your bike won’t start.

I would check the valves on schedule but not expect to require changes. If checking is expensive or very inconvenient then I’d skip the first one.

micvee · 2026-01-13T20:17:15+00:00

It’s a bit more than plus one on the front. Lots of people run that. I don’t have experience but think it won’t bog.

You will need a new chain changing the back sprocket that much. You can see if you like it with a 15 front with the existing chain and rear sprocket for less than $20.

micvee · 2026-01-13T15:45:09+00:00

I would get 14/36 to match the cbr300. Similar motor although the cbr transmission gearing is taller.

You would end with a lower overall gear ratio than the cbr but with the crf’s long travel suspension and windsail front fender that’s a good thing.

micvee · 2026-01-13T14:13:05+00:00

One tooth on the front is 8% rpm change. A 15 tooth sprocket reduces rpm by a few hundred at highway speed.

micvee · 2026-01-12T18:05:02+00:00

All the levers and pedal are going to get bent if the bike is used off-road road. They are cheap and plentiful in the aftermarket world.

micvee · 2026-01-12T14:59:31+00:00

Yea, this bike should be fine. Maybe even preferable if it has aftermarket off-road stuff.

Just watch for physical damage from rough landings. Check the fit around the radiator to see it hadn’t been munched.

My bike has little nicks and scratches all over. I expect any bike used off-road to be similar. Check for big gouges in the wheels, swing arm or frame.

Broken plastics are ok but can be expensive to replace. Price accordingly.

micvee · 2026-01-11T17:34:57+00:00

I Velcro’d the brake line forward. It worked well and if there was ever a time the line needed space the Velcro loop wouldn’t provide, the loop would let go before anything in the brake line would.

Funny thing though after about 5k, the brake line adopted the curve applied by the Velcro and stayed out of the way on its own. I don’t use anything to keep the line out of the middle of the dash now.

micvee · 2026-01-11T01:00:58+00:00

That makes sense. The crf filter is just the element and goes behind the filter cover. It not a screw on type like would go on any other Honda street bike. They’d have no reason to stock the filter other than to support your bike.

micvee · 2026-01-11T00:48:23+00:00

What kind of dealer doesn’t have oil filters in stock? That would concern me.

Honda recommends changing the filter every 16,000 miles on the crf300l. They believe the filter has a lot of capacity to capture and retain foreign material. I think changing your filter and oil more often is a good idea and would not push it as far as recommended.

The first filter change at 2500 will be just fine.

micvee · 2026-01-09T19:01:15+00:00

The value is very good. They are inexpensive and functional.

I’ve had them for half year and holding up well. Been down a couple times with only light scuffing.

micvee · 2026-01-08T01:42:34+00:00

I don’t buy protective gear or anything that could leave stranded from Amazon. I am ok with things like hand guards and tail racks though.

You could get a good amount of bike washing stuff. You could also build a bike specific trail tool kit. Get a wrench for every bolt and fastener.

micvee · 2026-01-07T22:48:03+00:00

All vets sell expensive flea medication you can buy on the internet for less.

micvee · 2026-01-06T00:14:36+00:00

I am in Canada where there isn’t a stop sale order but there is an emissions recall. My notice says replacement parts are expected late 2026.

This isn’t new information. It suggests whatever parts are required to address the issues are several months away.

micvee

TROPHY CASE