CR500 linkage and stock frame

[Hawaiiysr]

This money pit of an idea has come to mind. Stock 250R frame, correct shock,  correct swing arm. I've searched some and It has been done before. With total success? I'm not sure. I would like to get the opinions of you suspension geeks. Andy, Troy?

As far as my searching has gone it looks like only the upper shock mount of the stock frame need to me relocated.

What are the benefits of the CR500 linkage? How does it compair to the R linkage? Are the benefits worth the efforts? A aftermarket frame is not an option for me. But modding a stock frame is totally game.

[protrax]

here you go

[troybilt]

What size rider are you?  not to get personal, but CR500 linkages benefit lighter riders more so.  Please note, getting a custom shock made will cost about as much as a frame, 1100-1200 at least from PEP, not sure what Axis costs.  I think Walsh or someone back in the day used to make a weld in kit to change stock frames over.   The upper shock mount will have to be raised and moved off center to make this work (intake boot clearance), the shock lenghts are around 19", vs.  stock 15-ish (I forgot exactlt the length).  If you've got some fab skills it wouldn't be too hard.  The CR500 linkage has alot of progression, so the benefits are improved traction in rough choppy sections and plush feel with good bottoming resistence.  

If you convert to anything I'd go CRF linkage, or YFZ-R, etc...

I'll try and draw up the different linkage styles, sometimes visually it will help understand what's going on.

[Hawaiiysr]

Protrax,
That is the exact picture I was going to post. I see you were replying to that very tread. The guy that did the mod is no longer active on that forum.

Troy,
I'm on the smaller side. 5'4" @ 180lbs ready to ride. I'm working on a project that requires me to do one of two things. Fab a intake manifold that will spit the intake track to the side or off set the rear suspension. Off setting the shock is much more costly as it includes a new or moded swing arm. The added length of the shock required is a bonus for me as I have been interested in a long travel rear end. Its all much more costly but in the end I would get all that I want and resolve some of my issues.

[05450r]

Troy has a great point, a shock for cr500 is expensive and hard to find used. Crf450 linkage is a great choice as mentioned, and similier to cr500. Another option is the Walsh Saviour (sp). Pretty much looks like crf450, but again, its designed for 450r and its really expensive as well. I say gather some parts and get fabbing!
I still want to see the yfz450 link and shock used, its close in design to cr500 style and shocks are easy to find. They use a pretty long shock as well, I think 18" but not exact on that. It has been attempted in the past but not sure it was ever finished by anyone.

[matt250r21]

I converted my stock link Leager frame over to CR500 link. You will need to fab the lower link attachment bracket to the frame as well as the top shock mount to the frame. Was not to hard to do but it helped that I had another Laeger frame with CR500 setup to use from mock up.

[troybilt]

Protrax,
That is the exact picture I was going to post. I see you were replying to that very tread. The guy that did the mod is no longer active on that forum.

Troy,
I'm on the smaller side. 5'4" @ 180lbs ready to ride. I'm working on a project that requires me to do one of two things. Fab a intake manifold that will spit the intake track to the side or off set the rear suspension. Off setting the shock is much more costly as it includes a new or moded swing arm. The added length of the shock required is a bonus for me as I have been interested in a long travel rear end. Its all much more costly but in the end I would get all that I want and resolve some of my issues.

I'm sure you're aware of this but Laeger CR500 swingarms the shock mount is offset, so if you picked up a used CR500 linkage swingarm you would have to offset the upper shock mount as well.

[troybilt]

If I was doing any swap and budget was of a concern I'd probably start looking for a YFZ-R rear end, 09 and newer:  i.e. shock, swingarm, and linkage.  Then mod the frame to match that.  Will be way cheaper and get very similar results.

[rablack21]

If I was doing any swap and budget was of a concern I'd probably start looking for a YFZ-R rear end, 09 and newer:  i.e. shock, swingarm, and linkage.  Then mod the frame to match that.  Will be way cheaper and get very similar results.

Perhaps, we should look into this.

[RyanWsly]

I gave someone over on ATV the measurements off of mine I can try to see if I can find who I sent it to if you want to see if he got it done. The YFZ has a weird layout compared to a Honda from me briefly looking, the pivot points were way off and it appeared not an option but it was an 07' YFZ. Very good rear system, it's why I checked my friends out when I had my stock frame still.

[Hawaiiysr]

Any information would be greatly appreciated. I wanted to call Walsh today but I got pretty busy at work.

[Hawaiiysr]

Just got off the fone with Nate at Walsh RC. They can make me the mounts I need for my stock frame. Nice guy to speak with. Answered all my questions. And also said I was the 3rd guy from Hawaii that called him in a weeks time. Honda and LTR WRC parts heading to other quad riders in Hawaii. Awesome:)

[rablack21]

Did he she if they had ran into any issues with doing this? I would be very interested in this as well. Did he mention the level of difficulty in doing this?

[andy@maultechatv]

Subscribed.  I'm with Troy on the YFZ450-R linkage.  Or a CRF450 Linkage.  I'd like to see your drawings also troy comparing the linkages

[rablack21]

We got the tools and the talent here, let's make it happen, captain!