Replacing springs on 2012 TE511 - procedure help please!

[SloChicken]

How's it going,
I am going to change out my springs on my forks for this bike, and am looking for a quick bit of instruction.
My understanding is that these are open cartridge forks, and I can just pull off the fork caps from the top and pull out the old, and drop in the new. Is this the case?
I don't have a repair manual, and have not done a rebuild on these shocks as it is a new bike. So a little head start before pulling it apart would be helpful.

I am a 235lb rider with no gear on,
Intended use is Desert/technical desert/whoops and aggressive/race speeds.
No MX for this bike as I have a MX bike for that.

Also, if you have any recommendations on springs, vendors, and spring rates that would be great! So far, I will either order the springs from zip-ty or from racetech. Other options will be entertained, but those are the likely suspects so far.

Thanks all,

Kevin

 

[McKay]

Yup you got it, just put the bike on a stand first.
Super easy job. I can remember what size I put in but they were big and really helped.

 

[SloChicken]

thanks,
any input regarding good vendors, spring rates for my weight and riding style?
Thanks!

 

[TE in RC]

thanks,
any input regarding good vendors, spring rates for my weight and riding style?
Thanks!

I used RaceTech for my 2011 449. i used there spring calculator on their website then spoke with them. I replaced the fork springs and the rear spring. they sent a DVD with it, I must of watched it 10 times before I swapped mine out, Real straight forward and an easy job. They provide great phone support too.

 

[Jeremy Howe]

+1 for RaceTech. good calculator on the website and good customer support. You can even call their sales guys and ask them all the questions you want about your purchase. They're real good at putting it in plain English for you.

 

[McKay]

I also used race tech, I called them and they walked me through what I needed for what I wanted. Ggreat guys and the results worked very well for me. I still have a lowering kit they sent for the rear shock but I just resprung it and liked it so much I left the shims out for now. I highly suggest calling them, they like to help us out.

I think I went with 60's if that makes sense.

 

[SloChicken]

Got my springs installed. Pretty painless once I actually got the springs.
I called Zip Ty, and ordered springs, gave them my CC info and waited. about 10 days went by and no springs. So I called and they said somehow my order wasn't placed. They offered to take my order again but homie don't play that.
Called Race Tech, ordered them Friday midday, and they were on my door on Monday afternoon. Installed 1/2 hr later.

Ride report later,

Thanks to Brad at Race Tech!

 

[McKay]

Brad is the one that helped me as well.

 

[Cosmokenney]

I used RaceTech for my 2011 449. i used there spring calculator on their website then spoke with them. I replaced the fork springs and the rear spring. they sent a DVD with it, I must of watched it 10 times before I swapped mine out, Real straight forward and an easy job. They provide great phone support too.

How'd you do the rear shock spring? Do our bikes require a spring compressor? (Sorry for the hijack).

 

[ST Rich]

Unwind the preload collar until you can remove the keeper from the bottom of the shock.
You have to remove the shock first BTW.

 

[Cosmokenney]

Unwind the preload collar until you can remove the keeper from the bottom of the shock.
You have to remove the shock first BTW.

Thank you!