Rear Suspension Adjustments; Rear Suspension Spring Pre-Load - Honda CRF450R 2011 Owner's Manual

Rear Suspension Adjustments

Rear Suspension Adjustments
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 suspension assembly includes a damper
unit that contains high pressure nitrogen gas. Do
not attempt to disassemble, service, or dispose of
the damper; see your Honda 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
Honda dealer or a qualified mechanic, equipped
with the proper tools, safety equipment and an
official Honda Shop Manual.
If your CRF is new, put enough part-throttle break-
in time (about 1 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.
An optional pin spanner is available for turning the
shock spring lock nut and adjusting nut to adjust
spring pre-load.
1. Place your CRF on an optional workstand or
equivalent support with the rear wheel off the
ground.
2. Remove the subframe (page 40).
130
Adjustments for Competition
3. Check that the spring pre-load is adjusted to
the standard length. Adjust as necessary by
loosening the shock spring lock nut (1) and
turning the adjusting nut (2).
Each complete turn of the adjuster nut changes
the spring length by 1.5 mm (0.06 in).
4. After adjustment, hold the adjusting nut and
tighten the shock spring lock nut to the
specified torque:
28 N·m (2.9 kgf·m, 21 lbf·ft)
(2)
(1)
(3)
(1) shock spring lock nut (3) pin spanners
(2) adjusting nut (4) spring length
To increase spring pre-load
Loosen the shock spring 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:
Standard spring (54 N/mm (308.3 lbf/in)):
240.0 mm (9.45 in)
Optional softer spring (52 N/mm (296.9 lbf/in)):
239.0 mm (9.41 in)
Optional stiffer spring (56 N/mm (319.8 lbf/in)):
238.0 mm (9.37 in)
To decrease spring pre-load
Loosen the shock spring 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:
250.5 mm (9.86 in)
Each turn of the adjuster changes spring length and
spring pre-load. One turn equals: spring length/
spring pre-load:
Standard: 1.5 mm (0.06 in)/81 N (18.21 lbf)
Pin spanners should be used for turning the shock
spring lock nut and adjusting nut. See page 160 for
optional pin spanners.
Spring pre-load length (Standard spring)
(4)
Standard: 249.5 mm (9.82 in)
: 250.5 mm (9.86 in)
Max.
Min. : 240.0 mm (9.45 in)