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Mikethediabetic
Posted on Monday, May 21, 2018 - 09:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey guys, Im going to be installing a set of race tech fork springs in my X1. Who has done this already and can give me some pointers. Also, they call for a pvc fork spacer as well but never list a diameter or length. Can anyone else shed some light on this?
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Sportyeric
Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 - 01:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Their springs are shorter than stock by 3 or 4 inches.IIRC. So you need a piece of pvc pipe that will fit inside the fork tube and cut to match the length of the stock spring more or less. want to do it right, the spacer length will be adjusted to enable the correct amount of sag.
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Upthemaiden
Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 - 08:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Have you had to replace the oil seals on your fork? It's reasonably simple, and replacing the springs is only about half as involved. As far as pointers, the 2 things I remember having to do was make some kind of spring compressor to get the split washer on and off, and I had to use some wire to try and hold the internals up while I tried to get the split washer back on. For the spring compressor, I took some steel angle and cut a notch out just big enough to slide it into the spring, then I put a metal rod through the axle hole of the fork, and used ratchet straps to pull the two together. For the internals I just got some thin steel wire and wrapped it around the top and had to try to hold it up while I compressed the spring and put the washers on. It would've been a very easy task with a 3rd hand, a little bit of a project with only 2.

Beyond that, it was very simple, unscrew the top cap, dump the old oil out, remove that split washer, pull out the springs, put the new springs in, split washer back on, fill with oil, and caps back on.

I still have the oem springs on mine, but I do remember replacing the springs in an old gs500 forever ago, and it was the same story with the PVC pipe. I don't remember how I determined the length. It might just take a couple guesses until you find a height you like if you don't find recommendations online. On the upside, after you get fresh oil in there, you won't even have to pull the forks out to mess with the spacers. Just lift the front of the bike off of the ground and move your handlebars out of the way. I would think the company that makes the springs would be able to give you recommendations for your weight if you call them though.
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Mikethediabetic
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 - 11:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks guys, Put the springs in last night. didnt take long at all. Super easy job. The springs actually made a difference. Im surprised. The bike feels alot better, and bumps/cracks in the road are barely noticeable now.
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Oopezoo
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 - 01:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

So what did you end up doing about the spacers? I asked this same question a few months ago and never really got an answer. I have new seals and dust covers for my S1 forks sitting on my work bench and had been debating if I wanted to buy a set of proper weighted Racetech springs for when I get around to tearing into them. Nothing worse than tearing something apart only to find you don't have the right parts ready to put things back together.
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Mhlunsford
Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 - 01:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I put race tech in my. m2 a while back. I put my original spacers back in: I can not remember if I cut them to the race tech length or not though something about replacing metal with pvc just did not right to me.
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