VF500F RaceTech Front Fork Spring Preload / Oil Level

I'm putting the front forks back together after getting new seals, dust caps, 0.95kg/mm RaceTech springs and 10W fork oil. No emulators yet. I'm a 195lbs rider and I often ride with my girl on the back.

How much preload should I put on the springs? The RaceTech website info for the VF500F says suggested preload is 20mm (and it suggested 0.88kg/mm springs) but that's what the stock soft springs were set at so that seems a little aggressive for this spring weight. I went with the 0.95 springs after reading many of Jamie Daughtery's posts on here.

Also what oil level should I be going for?

I thought I remembered seeing threads where Jamie answered these questions as well but I can't find them now and I've tried searching. Any suggestions?

 

I would start with their suggestions (preload and oil level), you can adjust later pretty easily with the right tool.



You can get some adjustable caps too.

 

Found the other post where Jamie said 150-190mm with 10w, starting at 190mm and adding more if it bottoms: https://vfrworld.com/threads/vf700-...eight-should-the-oil-be-at-in-the-fork.36366/

I've already blown through the budget multiple times for this rebuild, both in time (200+ hours so far) and money so adjustable caps aren't happening right now, haha...but I am putting in a small stack of washers on the top so I can remove some if it turns out I want a bit less preload

Can't waittttt to get this thing on the road right now!!