FORK SPRING PRELOAD
INTERNAL TOP-OUT SPRING
OPEN CARTRIDGE
Stiff Top-Out Springs

If you have been directed here from the Product Search these should be the correct instructions. If not...

TOP-OUT SPRING TYPE - BEFORE YOU BEGIN you must identify your Top-Out Spring Type (Internal or External)

Top-Out Spring Type is displayed in Product Search.

1. Internal Top-Out Springs

Internal Top-Out Spring, Open-Chamber - these instructions
Internal Top-Out Spring, Twin-Chamber/Closed Cartridge - Click Here

2. External Top-Out Springs

External Top-Out Spring - Click Here

Click to enlarge

Internal or External Top-Out?

Internal Top-Out Cartridge (these instructions)

 Long Soft Top-Out Springs

If you pull on the rod it should feel slightly springy. If the rod extends more than 5mm it has a Long Soft Top-Out Spring and requires special Relaxed Preload instructions - Click Here

 

 

TFSC 01 Portable

TFSC 02  Wall Mount

TFPS Radial Pin Spanner

TFHP 01 Spring Clip

 Tools Required - Street Bikes Only

One of these Spring Compressors is needed:

 1) Fork Spring Compressor - Portable 

TFSC 01 – 

 2) Fork Spring Compressor - Wall Mounted

TFSC 02 – 

 3) Radial Pin Spanner - Even though this doesn't look like it, it can be used in the holes in the spacer to pull down and expose the jam nut under the fork cap. The TFHP 01 Clip tool makes this much easier. 

TFPS R5701 - 

TFHP 01 -

METHOD 1

These instructions use a Right-Side-Up fork. It is the same for Upside-down.
1-  Back out any damping and preload adjusters on the fork cap all the way.

2- Remove the fork cap and spring.

3- Insert the new spring and bottom the fork tube fully.
 
Measure from the top of the Fork Tube to the top of the Spring. This is the Free Length Reference

4- Install the cap fully onto the rod.

Measure from the top of the Fork Tube to the top of the Spring. This is the Set Length Reference.

The difference between the two measurements is the Preload.

Free Length minus Set Length is the Preload.

5- Set the Preload
See the Product Search or your DVS Setup Sheet for Preload recommendations.
Adjust the preload by adding or subtracting washers or adjusting the Preload Spacer Length.
 
NOTE: RT Springs are often a different length than stock. This is how they are designed. You will have to make your own custom spacers.
The spring should always rest on a steel or plastic washer. It should NEVER rest on the aluminum fork cap. Be sure to take washer thickness into consideration.
On many Open-chamber forks washers are added at the bottom of the spring.
The Preload Washers must be retained so they cannot shift off center. If it shifts off-center on an Upside-down fork it will damage the fork tube.

6- Tighten the jam nut to the fork cap on the damping rod. Install the fork cap. Set the adjusters.

METHOD 2

This method can be used when the cartridge is out of the fork.

1- Install the spring spacer hardware and the cap fully onto the rod.

2- Extend the cartridge. Measure from the top of the Cartridge to the bottom of the Spring Washer. This is the Set Length.

3- Measure the Spring. This is the Free Length

Free Length minus Set Length is the Preload.

4- Set the Preload as the previous method.

NOTE: RT Springs are often a different length than stock. This is how they are designed. You will have to make your own custom spacers.