06 CRF450X Issues

[ThumperPsi]

Hi, I have a couple of questions I hope I can find the answer to here. I have just got myself a 2nd hand CRF450X. It's in great nick and was mostly used on the road before i got it. I go out green laning in Derbyshire most weeks and wanted to know what the standard suspension settings should be as I cannot see them anywhere in the manual.
Also the manual says I need to replace the piston after every 15 hours of use however I suspect that is for the 450R not my 450X, does anyone know how often I need to replace it? I have been told they are designed to disintegrate after so many hours which has put the fear of god in me.
Hope someone can help, cheers. Simon

[phil w]

I would think www.thumpertalk.com is a better tech place for these beasts, although I suspect the info you have is for the R model for sure

[ogri]

15 hours was for the "R" model.this was race hours and so would last a lot longer at trail pace.they lasted a lot longer than that at race revs too but honda had to cover their arse.

are you aware that your engine has seperate engine and gearbox/clutch oil.the crankcase contains a very small amount and as crf's are known to burn a little you should keep an eye on the level.

[XRDAVE]

The 15 hrs for the piston is the same for the 250 (X). My local dealer races the 250 and 450 and does the whole season on the same piston. My 250s are a couple of years old and are on the original pistons and they rev much higher than the 450. I wouldn't worry about it, just keep on top of the oil changes and keep the air filter nice and clean. By the way I'm looking for a second hand 450 but they seem scarce, does anyone know of places in the south east that might have a decent used selection??

[jasonbc]

Hi, I have a couple of questions I hope I can find the answer to here. I have just got myself a 2nd hand CRF450X. It's in great nick and was mostly used on the road before i got it. I go out green laning in Derbyshire most weeks and wanted to know what the standard suspension settings should be as I cannot see them anywhere in the manual.
Also the manual says I need to replace the piston after every 15 hours of use however I suspect that is for the 450R not my 450X, does anyone know how often I need to replace it? I have been told they are designed to disintegrate after so many hours which has put the fear of god in me.
Hope someone can help, cheers. Simon

Don't know about pistons but i know the earlier ones used to suffer with valve problems, they used to burry them in the head and there was plenty of people down here who took the original valves out and put different ones in can't quite remember what the actual reason for it was though

[ThumperPsi]

Thanks for help, I have bought a spare piston ready to go in but think I will sit on it for a while, had already been warned about regularly checking the engine oil (the dipstick side)

[ridersofthelosttrail]

You won't need to replace the piston for many years! The valves are also good if the clearances are checked every once in a while. When you do need to change the valves, then go for the stainless steel ones which will keep you going for ever! Make sure you put a whole litre (not 700cc as Honda recommends) of transmission/gear oil to be on the safe side. Change oil and filters regularly and keep an eye on the air filter.
The best change you can make is re-jetting and cutting the top of the air box off. The bike will run WAY WAY better and cooler.
Good luck and don't worry about those pistons; they are not an issue.

[Scouser]

The piston should be good for 200 hours of steady use. half it for sand/desert enduros! Heard of changing revvy 2 strokes pistons every 10-20 hours { YZ's etc} but relax yours will be ok!!!

as others have said...be kind to the engine, lots of regular oil changes and filter changes! and after dusty periods check and clean the air filter.