This build was an old bike of Simon Cudby’s pal, B-Rad, who is an all-around good guy and friend of Racer X. We wanted to freshen up his bike for him and we were also curious how good a 2006 CRF450 would be with some updates and new parts. The result was a great looking bike that blew Ping’s mind on the track. There is a reason this model was the gold standard for 450s a decade ago … because it was a weapon! But could you really still be competitive on it? Our test rider, David Pingree breaks it down for you in this project test.
The Honda CRF450R was the standard for 450s for many years and the 2006 model was the foundation of this domination. We found a clean CRF that just needed to be restored to its original glory. d475 track link
That is where the newly formed Wrench Rabbit comes into play. They pool together key motor parts from Hot Rods, Vertex Pistons and Hot Cams to make full kits in a box to rebuild your worn motor. The parts are all built to the OEM standard spec. No high compression pistons or special motor parts—these are motor parts that are meant to just rebuild and not necessarily offer a performance increase.
CV4 also caters valve and spring kits for these type of builds also providing OEM spec valve train parts. Millennium took care of the valve seats and head rebuild.
In this effort we were trying to just REBUILD more than Modify and make just a bit better than it was stock in 2006
For this build we hit up Jay to give us a full rebuild before it blew up and was a total loss—the owner was a large man so we set it up with his large size and weight in mind.
A full Wrench Rabbit kit was used to rebuild the entire engine—crank, piston, cam chain, etc.
CV4 has the valve train parts—new valves and springs; a new clutch basket and plates were a must on this 12 year old bike.
The motor was not too bad after we addressed all of the high wear items.
We rebuilt the carb with the All balls kit and used their clutch and throttle cables. We removed the back fire screen as well.
We replaced all of bearings with Pivot Works parts: steering stem, swing arm and linkage.
Tusk wheels with oversized front rotor are great but not critical to out build but we are going all out.
We put on some wider 2017 CRF footpegs.
Supersprox Stealth Sprocket for long durability.
Works Connection rad guards and extra pieces.
Shock Therapy set this suspension up for our large rider.
To look good we have Cycra and Decal works and Motoseat with their magic.
Price: We spent about $1500 on the engine and pipe/muffler and then another $400 to freshen up the suspension.
So for under $2000 we have the critical parts of a full on rebuild. Not cheap but neither are new bikes. For another $2000 we added a bunch of bling and good functional parts that were not critical. For for $4000 we have freshened up a our old beater and a new 450 is nearly 10K out the door anymore so for some guys to fix up their old reliable CRF is not a bad option.
Wrench Rabbit www.wrenchrabbit.com 515-473-9647
Hot Rods Bottom end kit with Complete Crankshaft, Main bearing and seal kit, Transmission bearing kit, Hot Rods Counter Balancer kit, Hot Rods water pump repair kit, Vertex std bore and compression piston kit, Vertex Complete gasket and oil seal kit and Hot Cams cam chain. All for only $808.95.
CV4 www.cv4.net 800-874-1223
X-2 valve and spring kit. $455. Lower cost OEM replacement kit.
TI intake to match OEM valves.
Formed Silicone Coolant hoses in red. $127.
Millennium Technologies LLC www.mt-llc.com (920) 893-5595
FMF Racing www.fmfracing.com 310-631-4363
Supersprox www.supersproxusa.com 800-328-5454
Rear Stealth Sprocket 48T
All Balls www.allballsracing.com
Tusk Off road www.tuskoffroad.com 800-336-5437
270mm Oversized Rotor/Adaptor Bracket 270mm
Rear Disc
Complete wheel set
Pivot Works www.pivotworks.com 515-402-8000
Steering stem bearing kit
Linkage rebuild Kit
Cycra Racing www.cycraracing.com 740-929-0188
Powerflow complete plastic Kit
Uni Filter www.rockymountainatvmc.com 800-336-5437
Two-stage Air Filter
Renthal www.renthal.com 877-736-8425
Dual compound grips
Brake pads front and rear
Dunlop Tire www.dunlopmotorcycle.com 800-845-8378
AT81 front 80/90-21
MX32 rear 120/80-19
Moto Seat www.motoseat.com 951-258-5229
Custom Cool seat cover
Works Connection www.worksconnection.com 800-895-8292
Elite Perch assy.
Front brake cap
Rear Brake cap
Chain blocks
Engine plugs
Oil filler plugs
Hour meter & mount
Radiator Braces
Stand
Skid Plate
Engine Guards
Hinson Clutch Components www.hinsonracing.com 909-946-2942
Clutch plate/spring kit
Outer Cover
DeCal Works www.decalmx.com 815-784-4000
Semi-Custom Graphics kit
Pre printed number plates backgrounds
Shock Therapy www.shocktherapyracing.net 714-724-9005
Suspension rebuild and service and set up for big dude
TM Designworks www.tmdesignworks.com 541-772-4161
Chain slider and chain block
dozer front idler Motion Pro www.motionpro.com 650-594-9600