fork spring preload

[skid jackson]

11 250 six days
45mm zokes

original .43 springs are 460 mm
the .45 that replaced them are about 480 mm
I'm going to pull the .45s out and reinstall the .43
What length should I cut the preload spacers??
not 100% sure but I don't think the longer 45s went in with a spacer.
Can't really see if there is anything down there. going to have to get one of those insert light things to see.

[GMP]

skid,

The spacer should fall out when you dump the oil. What do you weigh? If over 180 I'd keep the .45s. Just run very little preload, only a mm or so to keep the spring from rattling around. This works real well in the rocks with the 45 Zokes.

[skid jackson]

I weigh 190 .....
any tips as to fishing out preload spacers w/o have to pull the forks and dump the oil??

[GMP]

Keep the .45s for sure, if it feels like crap I'd bet they are jacked up with too much preload. I run .44s in my '07 45mm Zokes. Although its easier to get a good preload measurement with the cartridge assembly (including spring and cap) on the bench, you really don't have to pull the fork completely apart. Just pull the cap off the damper rod and spring, and work from the top, but you have to measure preload from the cap shoulder to the top of the spring guide, when the spring just touches the cap in the recess. Change the oil, it won't hurt. Otherwise use one of those spring loaded grab tools thats like a cable with a claw on the end.