For feedback do a search and set your time for 3 years, you'll get all the feedback you need.
These questions ALWAYS get asked so here it goes.
- Yes, you need to drain your fork fluid, all of it or as much as you possibly can.
- - If your bike is less than a year old you can do it by tipping the fork legs over and letting them drain as much as you can. You will still have some fluid in there but not enough to make a huge difference.
- - If your bike is more than two years old its a good thing to do a full fork overhaul. The fluid is probably thick and a bit gray/sludgy and shimmering because of worn metals in it. Fork disassembly info here:
Tech Vault Fork Dissasembly - Yes, you must use the 5wt oil recommended by Ricor. You'll need 32oz so order accordingly. If this is your first time you may want to order an extra bottle to be safe.
- Yes, use your OEM springs, aftermarket springs will be too stiff.
For installation
- I always used PVC pipe and cut it to the proper length but you can cut your steel spacers. If you screw up your hosed so I'd recommend some PVC pipe.
-- I checked my stuff, its 1" schedule 40 PVC pipe. You can get a 10 foot length at Home Depot for under $4.
-- You'll be cutting it 14mm (1/2") shorter than your OEM steel spacer.
- I do my fork fluid one of two ways...
-- If all new (meaning tear down and rebuild) I pre-measure 484cc (16.4 oz) per side.
-- If just dropping in I still use 16 oz but then I use a
Fork Oil Leveler to measure 166mm (6.5") below the top of the fork tube. The fork tube should be fully compressed, fork spring out and fully upright. Intiminator not installed yet.
** NOTE** When your fork tubes are empty IF you allow the inner tube to slam down into the lower leg it will get stuck and you will most likely need to release the dampener rod to get it all apart. In the same respect, once filled with the new lightweight oil, if your fork tube is allowed to compress with heavy pressure the same thing will happen. It takes the strength of a Hulk to dislodge it and you will think you screwed something up.
After all the above its a real simple install.
Intiminator goes on top of your dampener rod, between the spring. You can use the spring to help press the intimidator into the fork tube. Do it slowly.
*The picture below shows the dampener rod because it was a rebuild. Normally your dampener rod will not come out like that unless you purposely remove it by unbolting it.
Your new (or modified spacer goes on top of the spring.
