[Fitz2017]

I've had bad luck with my CRF250X intake valve (just the right side). It's a 2012 CRF. The adjustment interval (very hard to start) used to be around 30 hours....now down to every 12 hours, and I'm down to the smallest shim. I have 160 hours on this bike; bought it new. I keep lubes topped off and the filter clean/rich, but it needs a lot of work, beyond adjustment, that I can't do myself (seats, etc..). The guy at one major Denver shop says they ONLY go with stock Honda titanium valves on rebuilds, even though everyone out there (on the trails) says go stainless. But are CRF engines different (softer metal)? Shop guy says going stainless will beat up the seats/block, because CRF engines are softer than the stainless steal moving inside....says it's better to have to do the adjustment now and then than beat up the block. I need some opinions based on actual CRF experiences: stainless or stock? After I $pend to get the work done, would a carb vent filter help?

[Back2-2]

I will let Ken the site owner [ Mr. Valve Guy ] give you all the details but I will 100% vouch for his work and making your CRF a better than factory with his stainless valve head rework service. You will not have to mess with those PITA valves for ages.
In my opinion the Ti valves they fitted our bikes with was the only down fall they have. Really gave the CRF's a back reputation.
Going the stainless valves with a true full rework of the heads is the way these bikes should have been from the factory - But their not, so just do it - get it done by Ken & you will not regret it.

[crfsonly]

Sadly, you are getting bad information from your Denver shop. Here's a link to our Performance CNC Valve Job with Kibblewhite Stainless Steel valves:

https://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/produc ... ts_id/3974

I could go into a lot detail to demonstrate that your local shop is incorrect but this should suffice. Both the stock exhaust and intake seats are made from the same material. The stock Honda exhaust valves are stainless steel. Are the stock stainless steel exhaust valves beating up the stock valve seats? Exactly. It's a shame that so many of the Honda shops spread false information. In any event, if you purchase our valve service, linked above, you'll get the most durable and stable valve set up possible.

Ken

[Fitz2017]

Oh, nice! Thanks, Neil and Ken. This sounds good. I'm assuming you'd do a new piston while you're in there?

RE: Bench shimming - mechanically, the biggest I've gone is a few intake adjustments, so I might have some dumb questions here. If I choose to shim after I get it back, would the head be partially assembled when it arrives? Would it be partially assembled even if I go with your bench shimming? Basically, I don't know if I'm up for a ton of detailed reassembly far beyond what I've done with adjustments. If I go with bench shimming or not, what kind of work would I need to do? Do most guys take the bike and all to their local shop after they get the head back?

I don't race. Mainly out on trails in the CO mountains and near Moab, UT. The harder stuff we try is usually at slow speeds, so I'm thinking the CNC port service may not be necessary. What do you think? It is hard to stall the CRFX. Would the added power help on the really sketchy trails?

Thanks for the info.
Scott

[crfsonly]

Scott,

A new piston would be recommended with the number of engine hours you have. The head will have the new valves installed. If you select the Bench Shim service the valves will be clearanced with the cam installed. You'll still need to torque to spec once installed on the motor. Check out our How-To section for installing piston and setting valve clearances.

https://www.crfsonly.com/howto/index.php

Most install the heads themselves. If you have the shop manual, read our How-Tos and have some experience (like it sounds you have) you'll be fine.

I agree, the port job does not sound necessary for your riding.

Ken

[Fitz2017]

I'm glad I came here. The head removal and piston install look pretty easy. Some YouTube videos are useful, too, but most of them are confusing. I like the simple, pointed descriptions/photos you put up.

A different Denver shop (not the one I mentioned before) would send the head out to Longmont, CO to get the work done. It makes sense for me to remove it myself and send it to CA.

I'm thinking this is the way to go. I'm gunna take a long Christmas break away from work, and I just spent some dollars, so it will be January before I get to this. I WILL get to this in January. I'll be in touch.

Thanks!
Scott

[crfsonly]

Sounds like a plan! We'll be here when you need us.

Ken

[Back2-2]

Hey Scott, I did this same work to my 450X last year. I had Ken do the whole SS valve job. I felt it was easier to have ken do the shimming so I would get the head back ready to install. By the time I did the checks to figure out what shims I would need to order it would work out to probably more money than just having him do it while they had the head for the valve rework. I put in a new piston and rings at the same time. Piston, rings, gaskets and the SS valve job. If you have the factory service manual it is really easy to follow and do the work. Take your time and it is actually kind of a fun job. I asked a zillion questions and Ken patiently answered every one of them.
It's not a cheap repair but it is the right way to do it and I felt well worth getting it done by what I feel is the best way to get the work done. Hope that helps a little. I think you will be very happy with the results - I am and was super satisfied with the head rework and I am really, really picky, Ken can attest to that -

Side note for you - If you check my posts you should find a write up I posted on the work I did to my bike and maybe it will help you a little.

[Leardriver]

I live near Denver and have a 250 and 450 shim kit. Bring the head over after it is SS valved and the seats cut, and I will help you set the valve clearances. Second best mod you will ever do, next to an R cam.

[Fitz2017]

Thank you Ken, Neil, and Leardriver. I just finished another week of working for a living, but I'm excited to get this s--t (stuff; valve problem) taken care of so I can avoid buying a completely different brand bike to get rid of the issue. NAGGING issue! I'll be in touch with all y'all. I LOVE the Honda ride (when it rides), but I need to make it more maintenance-free.....well........ I need to make it more maintenance-lite. I will be in touch. Thank you for the encouragement!!!!!

[Fitz2017]

Hey Ken,

Though I live in Denver, I'll be out that way next week (near LA). I called your CRF's Only phone number, but it sounds like you're not in on weekends. I can bring my bike to you if there is a day (or two) where I can leave it with you to do the valve service. Since you'd have the bike, I'd also have you do the shimming and piston replacement....i.e. make it ready to ride.

I'll call you on Monday if I don't hear back here. This message is mainly a heads-up....I'm really hoping this can work.

I won't be able to linger in Ontario for more than a couple of days, so this might not work if you can't fit me in. If you can fit me in, I'll commit to a date now. I'm "sort of" flexible. If I could get the bike to your shop early on Friday, January 19th, could you do all the work that day? If you think it will take longer to do the work (and if you don't work weekends), I'd rather bring the bike to you on Monday the 22nd (in case I can't pick it up for a couple of business days). Again, I can't spend more than a couple of days there before I move on. My best option would be to get the bike there on Friday (19th) and pick it up later that night. I'm really hoping this can work (19th or 22nd). I hope to do some riding in Moab, UT, in February (with a repaired bike).

If you're out having fun, I'll just talk with you or a rep sometime on Monday. Thanks!!
-Scott

[crfsonly]

Scott,

We no longer work on complete bikes. You can drop off or ship your head to us, but not your entire bike. When you order our CNC valve job you can select our Bench Shim service and we'll set the clearances. Currently our turn around on valve jobs is 3-4 business days.

Please use the Contact Us page on our CRF's Only home page for further email communication.

Thanks,

Ken