Cal 2 fork cap removal sanity check

[brider]

It's been years since I changed out the dampers in my Cal 2 so my memory is fuzzy, but if the bike is at rest on the centerstand, and assuming the forks are NOT compressed at all (but they probably are a bit), am I actually compressing the fork spring as I un-screw the top cap?

I am imagining it's the damper unit that limits top-out travel, and the damper is attached to the top cap, right? So if the damper is topped-out, and I begin to un-screw the top cap, the damper HAS to be pulling on the lower fork slider, compressing the spring.

I just want to understand what kind of load is on the fine threads of the cap as I slowly un-screw it. I would also imaging that as soon as the cap threads clear the stanchion threads, the load is released and the cap "pops" free.

Have I got it right?

I took the front end off (wheel and fender) to replace the rotors and install a fork brace, and when I bolted the fender back on with the wheel in place and the axle bottomed out on the right fork slider, it was evident that the forks were no longer parallel (right slider had MUCH less clearance to the rotor than the left).

I think the fender itself drew the fork sliders out-of-parallel, although I don't know why this didn't happen every other time I pulled the axle out. Maybe because the calipers were in place holding position?

[malik]

Does the Cali have spacers that you may have mixed up? Been there, done that.

[brider]

Just a single spacer on the right leg and I had that in place. I know I have to collapse the forks all the way, just want to be sure I know what's going to happen when I back the caps off.

[Idontwantapickle]

To remove the damper you must have the front supported and remove the wheel. The damper is attached to the bottom of the slider. It will not come out but the front will collapse if you just unscrew the top of the damper from the tube. The bike may fall forward off of the center stand if not properly supported.

Hunter

[brider]

Thanks, collapsing the fork is what I want to do. If I control the collapse with a floor jack under the sump, I don't think the geometry will allow the bike to roll forward off the center stand, with the wheel in place.

[Idontwantapickle]

Thanks, collapsing the fork is what I want to do. If I control the collapse with a floor jack under the sump, I don't think the geometry will allow the bike to roll forward off the center stand, with the wheel in place.

That will work. I suggest locking the center stand in place with a tie-down or similar so it can't retract.