Rear Suspension Adjustments; Rear Suspension Spring Pre-Load - Honda CRF450R 2009 Owner's Manual & Competition Handbook

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 Service 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 36).
122
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 0.06 in (1.5
mm).
4. After adjustment, hold the adjusting nut and
tighten the shock spring lock nut to the
specified torque:
21 lbf·ft (28 N·m, 2.9 kgf·m)
(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 (308.3 lbf/in (54 N/mm)):
9.45 in (240.0 mm)
Optional softer spring (296.9 lbf/in (52 N/mm)):
9.41 in (239.0 mm)
Optional stiffer spring (319.8 lbf/in (56 N/mm)):
9.37 in (238.0 mm)
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:
9.86 in (250.5 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)/18.21 lbf (81 N)
Pin spanners should be used for turning the shock
spring lock nut and adjusting nut. See page 152
for optional pin spanners.
Spring pre-load length (Standard spring)
(4) Standard: 9.82 in (249.5 mm)
Max. : 9.86 in (250.5 mm)
Min. : 9.45 in (240.0 mm)