After a couple of years of being sidetracked by buying and prepping a T700 for an overland trip; I am back working on the CRF. Newly inspired after seeing one of the guys on the China trip (Colin) doing his RTW on a CRF 300 Rally.
First up: tubeless wheelsets from Haan in Holland. After fitting tubeless wheels on the T7 and running them on the 10,000 (ish) mile trip from Kyrgyzstan to Thailand with no issues; I am sold on the virtues of this set up.
Kept the same circumference (18 and 21 inch), but had to go for wider than stock rims (2.15 and 2.5) as the Excel rims smaller than 2.15 don't come with the safety bead for tubeless tyres (apparently!). Not sure what the story with the tubeless rims on the T7 as they are stock size?!?
Problems arose when, during fitting, it was discovered the spacers on the front wheel were the wrong dimensions to take the spindle. So, rather than spend weeks of back and forth with the suppliers, my excellent mechanic (John) fabricated replacements after an attempt to bore out the spacers left them dangerously thin (especially for the rigours of off-road riding!). This meant new, non standard wheel bearings for the front (Inner 17mm x Outer 42mm x Width 13mm). After putting it all back together, the ABS warning light came on, so the sensor had to be shimmed out. Not ideal.....but I took it for a test ride and it was all good.
The more I read, the more I became concerned with the stock clutch on the CRF. Mine hasn't had any issues, but it's not really been ridden hard as yet. So after much research, an upgrade was in order.
Parts were sourced:
Uprated clutch plates from EBC (CK1313). Stronger springs from Barnett (501-45-05050). Crankcase gasket (11394-KYJ-900) and a new lock nut; single use apparently (90201-KYJ-900).
Reading on various internet forums, the consensus was that it was a good idea to junk the judder springs when upgrading the clutch; although the reasons for doing this were vague (beyond making wheelies easier!?!). On the test ride after the upgrade, all was good: the clutch pull was smooth and precise.
Soundtrack: "Space is Deep" - Hawkwind
