Vector 1 Re-Install Elastomer Question

[dupe13]

Hi all...New to the board and hoping to find some quick answers as I need to get back on my bike!  I am replacing the elastomers on a mid-90's Vector 1 fork, and I have a question:  What size/height should the elastomers be?  I ask because I ordered a set of replacements from K2 a few years back, and as I was putting them on tonight, I am having a tough time getting the shock body back together.  With the two elastomers and spacers, the stack comes right up to the top of the guide rod, which then needs to attach to the damper tube, but the bolt appears to be a good 1/2" to 3/4" away form making contact with the threads.  My first thought was to throw it all in a clamp to preload it, but looking closer at the pictures in the original manual, I am beginning to think the lower elastomer looks a bit shorter than the upper, but mine are the same length (about 1 3/4" each).  Any thoughts?

And a follow up...If I do need to cut down an elastomer, any thoughts on the best way to do so? Kitchen knife, razor blade, band saw...?

Thanks!

[Spokes]

I would say just cut them down to fit. A Stanley knife and a chain mail glove should do the job!

Chris

[dupe13]

Thanks for the cutting tips. I'll go at it with a fresh blade when it's time to cut, but I am thinking there must be a specific height they should be, to allow for appropriate pre-load when you adjust the blue nut at the bottom.  I could cut until the threads just catch, and pull it together, or I could cut it to the point where there is no compression on the elastomers until I go at the pre-load adjustment.  I might be over-thinking it, but I definitely don't want to cut those pricey elastomers too short...Thanks again, Josh

[w2zero]

Mark the short one to  1-5/16" or 34mm whichever floats your boat.  I would use a hose clamp indexed to the several marks as a guide and saw it off slowly with a bread knife indexing the flat side to the clamp.  A little water should lube the knife sufficiently.

[fyrstormer]

For a smoother cut, consider jamming the elastomer onto the end of a large drill bit and spinning it while you hold the saw blade stationary. DO NOT allow the tip of the saw to get caught in the elastomer, or the saw will go flying.

[dupe13]

Thanks for the tips...I'll be sure to post pictures when I lose an eye with my homemade lathe! One last question, then I'll leave you all alone for a while.  Is it correct that the BOTTOM elastomer should be the SHORTER and FIRMER of the two?

[fyrstormer]

The stacking order doesn't matter, but the shorter one needs to be stiffer, yes. Otherwise it'll bottom-out and stop providing travel, and the top elastomer will have to provide all the remaining travel, which will cause a sudden change in the spring rate of the whole assembly.