Racetech sprint length

[macca]

Hi guys,

Long time no post! 

This winter I want to install my Racetech springs. It's good timing because last week I noticed my left fork leaking oil from the top (I assume the seal is knackered) so it's motivated me to finally start this job.

I bought my springs about a year ago and left them sitting in the box. Now that I've finally taken them out to look at, I measured them both and discovered that one is about 3mm longer than the other (343mm vs 340mm) - will this make a difference realistically? I.e. will i need to cut my spacers 3mm shorter for one than the other or won't it make a genuine difference?

I only want to do this job once and have the forks apart once, so want to get it right first time.

Bonus question: can anyone recommend a cheap place i can get my forks powder coated while they're off in the south eastern suburbs of Victoria?

Happy riding!

[1wd]

Bout bloody time mate!
I doubt 3mm will make a difference as the bike even at rest is compressing the springs to some degree.
I did mine a while ago so will be not much help except to say go for it. I just followed a guide and took bits and pieces from several posts here and elsewhere and haven't had to wheel the bike out with the bins on bin day yet. The only regret I have after doing mine is I think I chose fork oil too light, but that's easy fixed if I could ever be bothered.

[vtrstormer]

Yeah I think if the springs have the same number of coils you will be fine as stated above the bike will settle and 3mm will be nothing....

As far as your forks being painted if you have the time I would do it myself. Just rub back and clean extremely well before etch priming and painting

[macca]

Thanks guys.

I had previously painted the forks myself using primer but the fork oil and brake fluid eroded some of the paint, hence thinking about getting them properly powder coated.

For the springs, I'm going to follow this guide. Is there anything you guys have come across in the guide that's wrong or anything I need to be aware of?
www.ablett.jp/bikes/vtr/vtr_sus.htm

Cheers!

[Hobastard]

I'm planning on doing my forks with Plastidip.... anyone else used this on 'em??

[1wd]

Had to google that. But sounds like a good idea. Let us knowhow it goes, could be the simple answer to changing the colour of lots of things.
Rainbow coloured bike commin up!

[macca]

That plastidip stuff is pretty interesting stuff. I found a photo on the site of a guy holding a piece of the plasti stuff in his hand. It looked very thick (around 1mm or thereabouts) which makes me wonder how it would end up looking on a set of forks. It is available in spray form, too, so perhaps a really thin coat would do the trick?

[steve400]

Macca I've watched a few tutorials on it and it seems if you hit it with a heat gun (or blow dryer) and stretch it on it really thins out, and you don't get streaks in the same way as spraying it on. Only problem is if you put it on a round surface, it has to join up with itself at the start so you'll end up with a seam. I've used the spray before on the rear cowl, came up alright. I think with a bit more surface preparation and a more steady spray hand the cans would do a good enough job on your forks