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Decisions, Decisions...young folk please help out an old man make up his mind

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xrmarty

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Ok, so I got a completely stock crf 50 now and I'm absolutely blown away how big of an industry the mini bikes are. I'm 5'11'' and 220lbs. I want the bike mostly for mild trail riding when I go out with the ol'lady. I know that I can't ride it in the stock form.



My question: do i need an aftermarket frame?



What's the best/economical upgrade for the front/rear suspension?



Do I need to convert to a "big bike" swing arm or is the triagular swing arm fine?



Can I interchage brands, ie. Red Baron for the rear and Marzocchi or Sano in front?



I want to spend about $1400 +/- $300.







TIA for any input



Marty
 
#2 ·
do you need an aftermarket frame, well if you are jumping the bike it is a good idea since the frame is built for younger kids it can't take much beating and will end up bending

Marzocchi's are the best i just picked up some with the front wheel 12in included for a decent price so if you can find it then great if not than sano or BBR would be cheaper

you don't need to get a big bike swinger that just gives longer travel, they make triangular plus 3 and 4's or BBR's superpro that is the style of big bike but only plus 3

of course. that is what makes everyones bike different, some people keep everything BBR or sano but by no means do you have to

hope it helped..
 
#3 ·
try to part out your old stuff to help offset costs.......may not be the best but easy on the wallet is just change the fork legs/springs/bushings......and use a aftermarket swinger and with your size , probably some type of extended beefed up frame....tall bar kit...tall seat...decent shock DNM is cheap......an 88 kit...some HD spokes and rims....that will not take all your budget
 
#4 ·
xrmarty said:
Ok, so I got a completely stock crf 50 now and I'm absolutely blown away how big of an industry the mini bikes are. I'm 5'11'' and 220lbs. I want the bike mostly for mild trail riding when I go out with the ol'lady. I know that I can't ride it in the stock form.



My question: do i need an aftermarket frame?



What's the best/economical upgrade for the front/rear suspension?



Do I need to convert to a "big bike" swing arm or is the triagular swing arm fine?



Can I interchage brands, ie. Red Baron for the rear and Marzocchi or Sano in front?



I want to spend about $1400 +/- $300.







TIA for any input



Marty
Click to expand...




You may want to consider an aftermarket frame.... as yours was built for an 8 yr old. It will bend over time with your weight.





There so many parts out there to choose from. Suspension is a must for your weight. There are tons of "budget" parts out there. Go pick some out and then check back with us to see what we think of the quality.



The A-Style (triangular) swingarms are just fine and you don't HAVE to convert to a "big bike" style if you don't want to. The "big bike" swing arms are usually longer than 3".



Interchanging brands is quite common and that's what most people do.





My recommendations to you would be a Billetware cradle mount frame, a decent +2" or longer swingarm, and a set of good forks such as BBR SP5's. I would also suggest searching the classifieds right here on the board to find great deals over purchasing new. Good luck and have fun!
 
#6 ·
Billetware cradle mount frame, some kind of +4" swinger, BBR E-6 forks, and a XR70 size (275mm) rear shock to make it sit level. For the motor call AHP and order a TB 88cc race head kit with porting. Then get a small bore exhaust of your choice.
 
#8 ·
Forks- BBR SP-5

Frame- Billetware Cradle Frame

Shock- Elka

Swingarm- Five-o, sano, BBR etc. +2 swingarm

Motor- trail bikes 88cc race head kit

this will give you a good strong bike for not too much money. I would buy used to save money, there is lots of good stuff at good prices in the classifides.
 
#10 ·
I just did the register thing with a TECH 5 Phantom frame....If ya can get an MSO it makes it easier but it is not needed....what you need is a completed bike, bill of sale for components (to show value) and you need to get it inspected down at the DMV...they will then send you to the CHP to get inspected again and they will put a small plate on the frame...take it back to the DMV and then they will finish the requirements for title and green sticker.....a little bit of running around but not too bad...cost me about $75
 
#11 ·
doopsx3 said:
I just did the register thing with a TECH 5 Phantom frame....If ya can get an MSO it makes it easier but it is not needed....what you need is a completed bike, bill of sale for components (to show value) and you need to get it inspected down at the DMV...they will then send you to the CHP to get inspected again and they will put a small plate on the frame...take it back to the DMV and then they will finish the requirements for title and green sticker.....a little bit of running around but not too bad...cost me about $75
Click to expand...
forgot...it will be classified as special construction and if you have a buddy that is a vehicle verifier and you think that it will save you from taking the machine to the DMV...do not bother...the DMV insists on seeing a special construction...(I tried it and no workee workee:mad::(:?::x)
 
#14 ·
For less than his $1400 budget, he could have one to go with the 50...



A full sized, less youthful rider might be better off on a little bigger bike;)



Or should he keep the 50, buy a bigger frame, forks, arm, etc to make it 70 sized at at least triple the cost? As a full-grown adult, with a few gray hairs (ok, a few TOTAL hairs), I am much more comfortable on a bigger bike, faster too.
 
#15 ·
firepower354 said:
For less than his $1400 budget, he could have one to go with the 50...



A full sized, less youthful rider might be better off on a little bigger bike;)
Click to expand...


Obviously. Most of us would be much better off on a bigger bike but that isn't that the point with these tiny things! :p I KNOW I would be better off ripping on crf450 but I sure do love my fiddy!!!
 
#17 ·
Id say keep it simple and relaible. BBR sp-5 forks, any +3 or 4 swinger, Tb 88kit (with racehead if u wanna haul a$$), tallseat (2bros is super comfy), iShock or elka in rear, +1 shifter, big pegs, and deffinately change the rear tire I like the Michelin MH3. Oh yeah skidplate and pipe those u make the call on the brands. I like to upgrade the chain cuz hondas chain is cheesy. U might want to change the front sprocket to a 15 if u want more top end. But u really only need one upgrade to make a 50 ridable and that is the big bar kit. But if those mods dont make u comfy and happy then worrie about the frame. But for trail rides u should hold off on the frame, unless u want to seriously hit the trails hard. Those parts together but seem like a lot but u will have a pretty bulletproof bike after that. I give that a ballpark price of about $1500 w/o frame.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
doopsx3 said:
I just did the register thing with a TECH 5 Phantom frame....If ya can get an MSO it makes it easier but it is not needed....what you need is a completed bike, bill of sale for components (to show value) and you need to get it inspected down at the DMV...they will then send you to the CHP to get inspected again and they will put a small plate on the frame...take it back to the DMV and then they will finish the requirements for title and green sticker.....a little bit of running around but not too bad...cost me about $75
Click to expand...




Thanks. Good info. Doesn't sound too hard. In worse case scenerio I will always be able to get the Green Sticker on the original frame/pink slip. As long as I can slap that on somewhere on the bike I should be fine.
 
#19 ·
xrmarty said:
Thanks. Good info. Doesn't sound too hard. In worse case scenerio I will always be able to get the Green Sticker on the original frame/pink slip. As long as I can slap that on somewhere on the bike I should be fine.
Click to expand...
I doubt it out here in socal they will think ur a clepto tweeker or somehtin.
 
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