Front spring length???

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

Thanks mate.. Just looking for confirmation that springs actually get longer as they wear.... Ultimately comes down to the original question tho.. Original length of the springs... With springs rated for my weight,and static and loaded sag now sorted. with the free length threshold for replacement quoted at 381mm from the manual.(can trim from here when I find the actual length if need be) Ultimately this may be a common mistake by many in the end just cutting a spacer to the length of the springs they pull out.. This seems to be what I've learnt from what I've done as such. Then when cutting the spacer down to get me within the free length threshold this gave me the static and loaded sag thresholds with no preload adjustment at all wound on the spings. But ultimately find the spring rate suited for your weight to start and to suit your purpose...

[dandywarhol]

Coil springs don't "wear" - nor do they get tired.
If the spring repeatedly exceeds its "elastic limit" - increasingly being allowed to become coilbound, then they don't return to the original shape/size and become shorter. If this doesn't happen, then coil springs retain their original limits beyond the bike's lifetime............................

[Mincehead]

They have a habit of deflecting sideways and wearing internal walls/surfaces and components in the forks though.
Mind it takes a good few thousands of miles of use before it gets bad!

[dandywarhol]

Thats very true - the first set of Race Tech springs I fitted were too small a OD and "clicked" in the tubes through sideways deflection.........didn't notice wear inside though...............

[Mincehead]

I was reading something somewhere about a spring guide/sleeve that could be fitted to alleviate the deflection.It was made from a graphite impregnated plastic if I recall.
Can`t remember where it was now.

[dandywarhol]

Bit of nylon water pipe might do the trick
Need to make sure it wasn't too long and lock up the suspension

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

Would you have to impregnate it with holes??? to allow for oil flow to and from the damper????

[Mincehead]

Indeed,not what you want!
These things I saw were on someones web site,just can`t remember whose it was.
Anyway talking of cartridge inserts,have you seen these:

http://www.maxton.netspinners.co.uk/files/gp25.htm

Edit;
Ahaaaaaaaaa,found them:

http://www.reactivesuspension.com/forks.php

Some nice kit there too.

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

Well after reading the manual again closely it states "over specific limit replace"381mm ...Well I understand now that not all springs are the same rate so there for they give a reference point. The replacement spring length plus spacer=381mm which in turn= the static sag/loaded sag with the correct spring rate for me with the load screw wound all the way out on the forks... So oviously there is no real true length Just reading "over specified length replace" and pulling out springs longer made me thing..GOSH do they stretch..MMM that works against what I thought??lol.. so thanks all on setting my confused mind at state play on words..