Fork oil level.

[Oscar_Muffin]

I've had my forks apart to replace the seals, they weren't leaking but were starting to show their age and the dust seals were in a bit of a state, as well as this, the retaining clip for the oil seal had basically rotted away

I'm at the point now where I'm adding oil to the forks, I've decided to go for 15 weight as a lot of you have recommended going with a thicker oil to lessen bottoming out and brake diving (I can't afford heavier springs ATM)

The service manual says to set the oil level to 99mm without the springs and the fork fully compressed. Does this mean literally just without the springs or should the spacer and washers be omitted too?

Because if they have to be in there it seems like a real pain to somehow fish them back out after adding the oil and then installing the spring underneath them.

[Bluesmudge]

No springs, no spacers, no washers. Just an empty fork with the oil in there and fully compressed. After you set the oil level you will drop all the other parts in.