tips: T350/T500 forks with external springs + more preload

[jabcb]

I found stock springs that might work on the early T350 & T500 forks with external springs.
They are longer & provide a good bit more preload.
Post about the springs: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10874

For forks with internal springs, you just slide the tubes into the triple tree.
But doing this with external springs create the preload.

So does anyone have tips on how to install for fork tubes with external springs & more preload?
(It would seem obvious but I suspect someone has some tips that will make this easier.)

[sbaugz]

I found stock springs that might work on the early T350 & T500 forks with external springs.
They are longer & provide a good bit more preload.
Post about the springs: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10874

For forks with internal springs, you just slide the tubes into the triple tree.
But doing this with external springs create the preload.

So does anyone have tips on how to install for fork tubes with external springs & more preload?
(It would seem obvious but I suspect someone has some tips that will make this easier.)

Maybe I'm wrong but don't you just put some washers or spacers between top of spring and under lower triple?

[jabcb]

Maybe my question wasn’t clear.
I was asking for tips on how to most easily assemble the forks.


Using plastic plumbing pipe to add preload for internal fork springs is pretty effective because the springs are long.

But the external fork springs on the T350/T500 are much shorter — using washers can reduce fork travel because the springs can go solid. Max deflection for the T500 springs, which is around 4.7”, is the upper bound limit of preload + fork travel. Also, the springs are badly overstressed at solid height, which is why they go to mush.