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Crf 230 forks help needed

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greenhornet

greenhornet

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Location
Elgin, Texas
I need help identifying what forks these are on a 2003 crf230 that I got for my son and I to work on and for him to ride. Bought the bike on CL and the fork seals were both leaking so I figured we could take the forks apart, see what parts needed replacing along with new seals , put back together with fresh oil and put it through the paces. Problem is I didn’t realize the forks were not stock, realized this after I ordered seals, bushings, etc and they were too small. The forks that are on the bike are 41mm, I think the stock forks were 37mm. So after some searching on interweb saw that some folks were putting xr250r forks on the 230 and they are 41mm I believe so I ordered seals and bushings for the xr250r and they are not quite the same as what is on the bike. Before I order anything else, I thought I would reach out and and see if any folks have any experience with these bikes and what forks these might be. Top pic shows fork caps with schraeder air valves. Middle pic is disassembled forks showing spring (the other spring is out of picture but is the same) damper rod?, fork bushing, slider bushing and backing washer. Seals not shown. One fork had a short spring on damper rod, other fork had no short spring but a shim stack on top of spring under fork cap. Any help or tips would be much appreciated.





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249280
 
the cap is hitting a memory, but not pulling it up completely ..
Are they Showa's? KYB's? Should be marked someplace
Are you sure they are 41's?
 
They look like these '83 YZ125 shocks https://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-Yamaha-YZ-125-Front-Forks-Suspension-38mm/392249567014?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item5b53e56726:g:JwQAAOSwRKtcdwP8&enc=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&checksum=3922495670146d827d8f532f42e6ad35f098a449e4dd&enc=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&checksum=3922495670146d827d8f532f42e6ad35f098a449e4dd

Erik picked up on that cap. I knew it wasn't any Honda I remembered, but I had seen them so start reliving my youth...
 
Yes, they are 41mm. The only markings I can see is a number stamped on the outer fork legs. The brake caliper side has Y111-L SA-1 *4L17 and the other leg has 4L22Y111-R SA-1 stamped on it. No other markings that I can see.
 
Measure the part that goes in the triple clamp.
 
Hey Gary, that certainly looks like the same forks! I may have been measuring wrong, should I be measuring the inside diameter of the fork tube where it goes into the triple clamp or the outside diameter. Outside diameter is 41mm which is what would be sliding into the triple clamp. Inside diameter is 38 mm.
 
Also, the backing ring in the picture is the same size as the xr250 backing ring parts that I ordered when I was guessing they were honda forks.
 
Measure down the tube below the triple clamp. It appears they are stepped up where the upper clamp grabs. It may be 41 where the upper triple pinches but 39 or 38 where it contacts the seals. These were used up to '88 not sure how much change through the years.
 
bwdmax said:
They look like these '83 YZ125 shocks https://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-Yamaha-YZ-125-Front-Forks-Suspension-38mm/392249567014?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item5b53e56726:g:JwQAAOSwRKtcdwP8&enc=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&checksum=3922495670146d827d8f532f42e6ad35f098a449e4dd&enc=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&checksum=3922495670146d827d8f532f42e6ad35f098a449e4dd

Erik picked up on that cap. I knew it wasn't any Honda I remembered, but I had seen them so start reliving my youth...
Click to expand...
Well done it was also the high mount axle position I knew Id seen...

And yes those in your link look right.
Cap
High axle mount and the tab for what is likely a speedo cable clip

BUT the 1983 YZ125 forks are KYB 38C Damping Rod type
 
greenhornet said:
Hey Gary, that certainly looks like the same forks! I may have been measuring wrong, should I be measuring the inside diameter of the fork tube where it goes into the triple clamp or the outside diameter. Outside diameter is 41mm which is what would be sliding into the triple clamp. Inside diameter is 38 mm.
Click to expand...
The fork is measured at the stanchion (the chromed tube slider part)
If they were upside down forks, you would have two measurements, the stanchion and the part clamped in the triple clamps.

So with your new info, that the stanchion is 38mm, I think you found the fork ID 1983 YZ125
 
Ok guys, you have been super helpful. I think we are getting close. My son did some more searching because the brake caliper mounting holes on the 83 yz forks are different then what we have and the 83 yz forks are 38mm. He found these 85 yz forks on ebay that seem to match up to our fork design. I have been trying to measure with a tape measure coming up with 41mm. So I went to town and picked up a digital caliper measuring tool and voila, 43mm! So we just need to narrow down which year yz 125 forks these are. It would seem that 1984 to 1988 had 43mm and the brake caliper mounting holes match up. I don’t know if the forks were the same for the L model which was 1984-85 and the S model 1986-87.
 
If you look at the axle clamp side the L model best matches yours. The S model appear to have a notch inset to give a little more bite on the axle.
 
Just to be clear... I think you have said the stanchion stanchion.jpg is 41mm in some responses "The forks that are on the bike are 41mm" and "Yes, they are 41mm" but in other responses 38mm " the inside diameter of the fork tube where it goes into the triple clamp or the outside diameter. Outside diameter is 41mm which is what would be sliding into the triple clamp. Inside diameter is 38 mm."

Or Im just misunderstanding ...(Likely)
So please confirm what is the diameter of the stanchion as seen in the pic?stanchion.jpg
 
Sorry Eric, my fault for the confusion. I was trying to measure the stanchion diameter with a tape measure (I know, this is bad) and the closest I could tell was about 1 5/8” which is close to 41mm. I knew the forks weren’t 38 mm because when I ordered 38 mm seal kit it was way to small to slip over tube. So, after I made the confusing comments (my bad), I ran out and purchased a digital caliper today so I could accurately measure the stanchion in the pic and confirmed that it is indeed 43mm. So, to sum up, I believe I have the yz 125 L model forks from either 1984 or 85. Thanks so much for your input and also Gary’s. My son is super excited! Hopefully I can find the parts I need now that I am pretty sure which forks I have.
 
Happy Thanksgiving Marcus.
 
Anybody have any ideas of torques specs for the front YZ125 forks, I believe these are the 1984/85 L model. I have also been trying to find any info on these forks such as diagrams, service manual etc. I havn’t been able to come up with much from google searches
 
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