tearing apart a fork leg

[Kerry]

My forks were stock for many many miles.  With your girlfriend's lighter weight, the 99mm should be fine.  That is, as fine as it can be without Progressives.  

[MarkusN]

TT:

Pay attention to what your progressive spring directions tell you about fork oil level.  I've read the recommended 99mm between the oil surface and top of the fork tube, but the springs I got from Chaparral recommeded a MAXIMUM of 140mm which is a much larger air space, therefore more forgiving front suspension.

I'm glad I followed that advice or else my front forks would be very very stiff.  As of now they are perfect for me.  Not too hard, not too soft.  

Just my .02!  

Makes sense. The progressives put more steel in there, so with the standard 99 mm there'd actually be a lot less air space. I guess the 140 mm put it back at about the same level when everything is installed.

[mojoworkin]

I wrestled with getting the fork apart too. After lots of struggling I inserted a proper diameter short socket as a spacer in order to increase the spring tension. Then I hit the allen bolt with an impact gun. It worked great. Just a thought.