Chassis Adjustments; Rear End (Off-Road Use Only); Fork Height/Angle (Off-Road Use Only); Wheelbase (Off-Road Use Only) - Honda CRF450L 2019 Owner's Manual & Off-Road Handbook

Chassis Adjustments

Chassis Adjustments

The following suggestions may improve a specific
concern. Subtle changes in overall handling may
also be noted.

Rear End (Off-Road Use Only)

If you have a problem with rear wheel traction,
raise the rear end of your motorcycle by increasing
the rear suspension spring pre-load. Instead of
running 3.9 in (100 mm) of sag, you can run 3.5 in
(90 mm) so the rear of the motorcycle will sit a
little higher. This should produce more traction
because of the change to the swingarm and
location of your motorcycle's center of gravity.
If you have a problem with the steering head
shaking when you use the front brake hard or if
your motorcycle wants to turn too quickly, lower
the rear of the motorcycle by reducing the rear
suspension spring pre-load. This will increase fork
rake and trail and should improve stability in a
straight line. The effective suspension travel will
be transferred toward the firmer end of wheel
travel.
Keep the race sag adjustment (page 148) in the 3.7
– 4.5 in (95 – 115 mm) range.
154
Adjustments

Fork Height/Angle (Off-Road Use Only)

The position of the fork in the clamp is not
adjustable.
Standard Position
The groove (1) in the outer tube is aligned with the
top surface of the upper fork bridge (2).
(2)
(1) groove
(2) upper fork bridge

Wheelbase (Off-Road Use Only)

Adjusting your motorcycle's wheelbase can offer
subtle changes in overall handling. You may adjust
wheelbase by adding or removing links on the
drive chain. If you change the wheelbase, be sure
to recheck race sag and adjust, if necessary.
In the past, a general rule was lengthen the
(1)
wheelbase to add straight line stability, shorten the
wheelbase to improve turning. However, we
suggest you do not lengthen the wheelbase of your
motorcycle unless you are racing on a track with
more fast sections than normal.
As a general recommendation, keep the wheelbase
as short as possible. This positions the wheels
closer together, improves turning response,
increases weighting (traction) on the rear wheel,
and lightens weighting on the front wheel.
With your motorcycle, you will probably find that
the standard setting or a shorter wheelbase will
offer more overall benefits.