Fork disassembly questions

[R100]

Also, my online shop manual gives a spring free length of 278.8mm. Mine measure 403mm (15 7/8").

My manual gives an overall standard length of 407.0 with a repair limit of 396.0. Looks like you are fine.
HT

Which manual is that Tom?

Finally got that manual in the mail.
Looking at maintenance standards, B front cushion page 33, 34.

"front cushion spring free length 185.5"
followed by -
"front cushion spring free length 221.5"
followed by -
"overall length 407.0"
I am confused, can anyone shed light on this?

[G-Man]

R100

I've not really looked into this but I recalled there being differences between steel sliders and this is what I found. I think that the slider on the left is the early one for 38mm forks and the one on the right is the later steel type. Note the differences between the level of the spring support. I haven't looked at the corresponding stanchions to see if they are altered to preserve the spring length but this could be the reason for what you are seeing in the manuals.



From the outside (apart from the NOS / rusty appearance) they look pretty much the same to me.....



G