2001 CR250R Shock Rebuild

[Rich Cochran]

This may be a dumb question, (without the benefit of a service manual), can I install new seals on the shaft without having to have the nitrogen recharged?

[2bitsamile]

no, you will have to release nitrogen before disassembly. Any local bike or suspension shop can recharge for you, prolly $5 to $20.

Do a search, there are several threads on shock rebuild how-to. I think there also a video on youtube. Might be safer to have a shop rebuild for you. Shop can also modify shim stack, if you want to change damping (e.g. MX suspension usually too stiff for pure trail riding).

More importantly, is spring rate correct for your weight? Stock spring is 4.9 kg/mm, suitable for ~180 lb riders . With 100mm race sag(rider aboard) and 25-35mm static sag(bike only), you have the correct spring rate. Race Tech and MX-Tech websites have “spring rate calculators” based on your weight. The stock fork spring are .44kg/mm, good for a rider at 195lbs; ....alex

[Ncognito]

It's a lot harder than it looks to rebuild a shock. Well, I guess I should say it takes a certain finesse. I had a ton of fun doing the one on my 99 but it was well worth it. Here is a simple walk-through, helped me a ton when I did mine.

http://dirtbike.off-road.com/dirtbike/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=266765

[Rich Cochran]

Thanks for the info... my local shops cannot re-charge so it has to be sent off...

[1987CR250R]

Maybe Costco could charge your shock. They fill car tires with nitrogen. You just need it at 150 psi.

[Rich Cochran]

That would be cool, but no Costcos around here! All the dealerships here say they don't do it enough to justify the cost of having it...