Topic: Ever find this in your fork?

[bigring]

Hi all,

Just getting back to my bike after being away from it (and here) way too long.  Kids, family, job, an addition and a swimming pond that I built myself have kept me busy the better part of the past year and a half. 

Getting the front end cleaned up and worked on.  Pulled off the forks and began taking them apart.  Undid the fork bolt and the spring sprung up fairly quickly.  Directly under the fork bolt were these - one in each fork:

   

   

The only thing that I can think of is that the PO attempted to use these as spacers.  I measured the springs - one was 18 1/2" and the other was 18 5/8" - both compressed quite a bit.  The Clymer manual that I am using states that you should replace them if less than 19 1/2". 

I did a little look on the interweb and these "parts" are used as fasteners in cabinets, furniture, desks, etc.  See the link :  https://www.knapeandvogt.com/joint-fasteners

[CB650CPastor]

I'd say you're probably right. Some crazy PO used them as spacers to make up for saggy springs...

[Don R]

 I'd cut some PVC pipe spacers, stack em in and go ride. it was common to cut an inch off then put in an 1 1/2" spacer to stiffen up an old set of springs.

[Artfrombama]

When I brought my bike home the +6" forks had to go. Inside the fork tubes was a galvanized pipe (still had threads on one end) and a cutoff broom handle spacer.
Hey whatever works, right?

[bigring]

So would you recommend a new set of springs?  Or like Don said, just cut some spacers (out of a better material I would think) to make up for the difference in compression to the length they should be?

I know many lower their forks by cutting down the spring and adding a spacer to the dampener end. 

Thanks fellas.

[Stev-o]

If the springs are original, yes, I would recommend new springs.
I put Progressive's in my K4 last year. BTW - they came with a couple pieces of PVC to use as spacers but I did not use them.

[bigring]

Cheers Stev-O!