Rear Suspension Adjustments; Rear Suspension Spring Pre-Load - Honda crf250r 2012 Owner's Manual

The rear suspension can be adjusted for the
rider's weight and riding conditions by changing
the spring pre-load and the rebound and
compression damping.
The rear shock absorber assembly includes a
damper unit that contains high pressure nitrogen
gas. Do not attempt to disassemble, service, or
dispose of the damper; see your dealer. The
instructions found in this owner's manual are
limited to adjustments of the shock assembly
only.
Puncture or exposure to flame may also result in
an explosion, causing serious injury.
Service or disposal should only be done by your
dealer or a qualified mechanic, equipped with the
proper tools, safety equipment and the Honda
Service Manual.
If your CRF is new, put enough part-throttle
break-in time (about one hour) on it to ensure
that the suspension has worked in.

Rear Suspension Spring Pre-Load

Pre-load should be adjusted when the engine is
cold because it is necessary to remove the
muffler (page 100).
An optional pin spanner is available for turning
the lock nut and adjusting nut to adjust spring
pre-load.
1. Place a workstand under the engine to raise
the rear wheel off the ground.
2. Loosen the connecting tube clamp screw and
remove the subframe's three mounting bolts,
then remove the subframe. See page 36.
3. Check that the spring preload is adjusted to
the standard length. Adjust as necessary by
loosening the lock nut (1) and turning the
adjusting nut (2).
Each complete turn of the adjusting nut
changes the spring length by 0.06 in (1.5 mm).
4. After adjustment, hold the adjusting nut and
tighten the shock spring lock nut to the
specified torque:
32 Ibf·ft (44 N·m, 4.5 kgf·m)
(1)
(4)
(2)
(1) lock nut (3) pin spanners
(2) adjusting nut (4) spring length
To increase spring pre-load:
Loosen the lock nut with the optional pin
spanners (3) and turn the adjusting nut to shorten
the spring length (4). Do not shorten to less
than:
9.9 in (251 mm)
To decrease spring pre-load:
Loosen the lock nut with the optional pin
spanners (3) and turn the adjusting nut to
increase the spring length (4). Do not increase to
more than:
10.31 in (261.8 mm)
Each turn of the adjuster changes spring length
and spring pre-load. One turn equals: spring
length/spring pre-load:
0.06 in (1.5 mm)/17.20 lb (7.80 kg)

Rear Suspension Adjustments

Pin spanners should be used for turning the lock
nut and adjusting nut. See page 156 for optional
pin spanners.
Spring pre-load length (Standard spring)
Standard: 10.27 in (260.8 mm)
Min. : 9.9 in (251 mm)
Spring pre-load length (Optional spring)
Min. (Softer, 285.5 lbf/in (50.0 N/mm)):
9.9 in (252 mm)
Min. (Stiffer, 307.7 lbf/in (53.9 N/mm)):
9.8 in (249 mm)
(4)
Adjustments for Competition
125