Girtha on a CRF50?

[BellyUpFish]

Hey guys-

Well, I was recently at a fly-in with a friend and he let me use a spare z50r to tool around the airport for the week. I haven't asked him yet, but as far as I know, it was basically stock other than a new set of tires and wheels.

I had a BLAST on this little thing. I mean, it was great. So.. I've decided I need one.

I'm thinking about picking one up for myself for next year and while I liked his z50r, for just a few more bucks - $100 to be exact, I can get a CRF50.

I'm 6'2" - 250lbs on a good day. 265 by the end of the day if we eat well that night.

Wonder what mods you guys would suggest so that I don't crunch the 50? I'm not planning on "off roading it" too much. It'll spend most of the time off road, but on and off pavement and grass at airports, etc, so I'm considering some street tires rather than knobby's.

Anyway, what do you guys suggest be done to a CRF50?

[PlanetMinis.com]

[shoehorse33]

I would say to at least do heavy duty springs in the front and rear and a bar kit. Maybe suggest the longer fork legs and a swingarm since you are on the taller side. It's all about comfort though, my friend is 6'7" and rides a stocker with only bars do it can be done. Haha

[BellyUpFish]

Yeh, I'm torn. I really enjoyed the z50r, so I'm wondering if I should pick up the 95' $400 or pick up a 2004 CRF50 for $500?

[crf50kid309]

I'd go with maybe the suspension kit on tbolt USA. Comes with taller forks longer swingaem and shock and will hold your weight much better. And if you don't wanna spend that much. Do a bar kit with bbr stiff rear spring( seems to be the stiffest one) and a set up plus one legs up front

[Brodie]

As for the Z or CRF it is up to you for looks. Most parts are interchangeable. If it were me, I would grab the Z50R and spend the $100 on some new bars or a set of tyres.

[shoehorse33]

As for the Z or CRF it is up to you for looks. Most parts are interchangeable. If it were me, I would grab the Z50R and spend the $100 on some new bars or a set of tyres.

Agreed. Plus the fact that the larger width wheels of the Z are a little better for just goofing off in the pits I feel.

[traut811]

It looks like your buddy could have an aftermarket cylinder on there, or sandblasted the stock one!
I'd get a set of tall bars, put HD fork springs in the front ($15), put solid steel or round stock in the fork legs so they don't bend ($5 + time), HD fork bushings, maybe wider pegs, and do the rear suspension last on a Z. You could probably pick up a heavier set on ebay for $60 I'm guessing?

[BellyUpFish]

So you guys would recommend the z50r over the crf50?

[shoehorse33]

Just for putting around and goofing off I actually prefer the Z but it really is personal preference.

[BellyUpFish]

Yeh, I keep bouncing back and forth. I think the Z looks pretty sweet on the larger street tires..

[traut811]

Just for putting around and goofing off I actually prefer the Z but it really is personal preference.

Definitely all preference. I prefer the Z for just putting around, crf50 for playing on the track, but I have no reasoning behind my words either
Buy what you can get the best deal on, then use the money you save to make it more adult-friendly.

[Markopolo400]

If your just gonna putt around on it and not race/jump it, just get tall bars for it and be done with it.

[BellyUpFish]

Yeh, I won't be racing or jumping.. Mostly just easing around my property and out at the airport on the ramp.

[Brodie]

I think the Z would be the way to go. Stick some hd springs in the front and taller bars and you should be right. If you find the back bouncing around to much then stick some hd rear shocks on. When you start looking for more power (trust me you will) you can stick an 88 kit on it.

[BellyUpFish]

Well, the z50r I was hoping to pick up tomorrow isn't going to happen. Asked the seller for a few more pics and he balked on me. Said he'd rather just back out. Oh well. Search continues. Found a pair of CT70's for $800 I might go look at.

[57HotrodVW]

I'm 6'1 and 235#. I have a 2006 CRF50 and a 1986 Z50RD.

I like both bikes, but the seat on the Z50RD is WAY more comfy than the CRF - see the link in my signature for pics and details of my RD.

The later model CRF stuff is more common for mods/customization, but both http://www.TBParts.com and http://www.Fast50s.com are great sources for early and late parts.

If you decide on longer fork legs and springs, I'd recommend running the less agressive ones from Fast 50s. I have the heavier version from another vendor on my CRF, and the lighter Fast 50s on my RD are much more pliant, but not too much.

--Eric

[size does matter]

i have two crf50s and a 1999 z50 the z is way beter for cruzing and the crf for the track