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VANILLA RL - Open Bath Damper

	travel	5.5 in. / 140 mm
	features/adjustments	lockout, coil spring preload, rebound
	spring/damper type	coil spring/open bath
	intended use	all-mountain, freeride

Installing Your Fork

Be sure your fork is properly installed before proceeding. Clicking on the link above will take you to a new page.

Before You Ride

Check that quick-release levers are properly adjusted and tightened.
Clean the outside of your fork with only mild soap and water, and wipe dry with a soft dry rag.
Note: Do not use any solvents or de-greasers, as these products can cause serious damage to paint and anodized parts (upper tubes, knobs, steerers).
Do not spray water directly on the seal/upper tube junction. Do not use a high pressure washer on your fork.
Inspect entire exterior of fork for damage. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Please contact your local dealer or FOX Racing Shox for further inspection and repair.
Check headset adjustment. If loose, adjust according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
Check that brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
Check that the front and rear brakes operate properly on flat land.

Setting Sag

You can also view a Flash video on Setting Sag.

To get the best performance from your fork, it is necessary to set and adjust sag. Generally, sag should be set to 15 – 25% of total fork travel.

Install a zip tie with light friction on the upper tube and push it down until it contacts the fork seal.
Carefully sit on the bike and assume a normal riding position. The fork should compress slightly.
Being careful not to further compress the fork, dismount the bicycle. Measure the distance between the seal and the zip tie. This distance is sag.

Compare your sag measurement to the Sag Setup table below.

If sag is lower than in the table, turn the preload knob (shown below) counter-clockwise one (1) full turn. Measure sag again and repeat adjustment if necessary.

If sag is higher than in the table, turn the preload knob clockwise one (1) full turn. Measure sag again and repeat adjustment if necessary. If correct sag cannot be achieved by adjusting the preload knob, see the Vanilla Coil Spring Setting Guidelines table below. You may need to change to a coil spring with a different spring rate.

Vanilla Coil Spring Setting Guidelines
FOX Part #	Approximate Spring Rate	Color Code	Travel (mm)	Rider Weight lbs. (kg)
039-05-080	40.6 lb/in	Black	140	<90–115 (40.8-52.2)
039-05-081	48.5 lb/in	Purple	140	115–150 (52.2-68.0)
039-05-082	56.4 lb/in	Blue	140	150–180 (68.0-81.6)
039-05-083	60.9 lb/in	Green	140	180–210 (81.6-95.3)

Sag Setup
Travel	XC/Race FIRM	All-Mountain PLUSH
80 mm (3.50")	12 mm (0.50")	20 mm (0.75")
100 mm (3.90")	15 mm (0.62")	25 mm (0.98")
120 mm (4.70")	18 mm (0.69")	30 mm (1.19")
140 mm (5.50")	21 mm (0.81")	35 mm (1.38")
150 mm (5.90")	23 mm (0.91")	38 mm (1.50")

Sag Troubleshooting
Symptom	Remedy
Too much sag	Change to higher rate coil spring
Too little sag	Change to lower rate coil spring
Excessive bottoming	Change to higher rate coil spring
Harsh ride; full travel not utilized	Change to lower rate coil spring

Adjusting Rebound

The red rebound knob is located on the top of the right fork leg, and has 12 clicks of adjustment. Rebound controls the speed at which the fork extends after compressing. Turning the knob clockwise slows down rebound; turning the knob counterclockwise speeds up rebound. As a starting point, turn the rebound adjuster knob all the way clockwise (full in) until it stops, then turn counterclockwise (out) 6 clicks.

Knob Setting (clicks out from full in)	Setting Description	Tuning Tips	Setup Tips
1	Slow Rebound	Too slow and your fork will pack down and ride harshly.	If you increase your spring rate or air pressure, you will need to slow down your rebound
6 (Factory setting)	Average Rebound
12	Fast Rebound	Too fast and you will experience poor traction and wheel hop.	If you decrease your spring rate or air pressure, you will need to speed up your rebound setting.

Locking Out the Fork

The blue compression lockout lever is located below the red rebound adjuster knob. It allows the rider to close the compression damping circuit in the fork. This keeps the fork at the top of its travel, making it harder to compress.

Rotate the lever fully clockwise to lockout the fork. This position is useful in climbing and sprinting situations, but will sag with the rider’s weight. The fork will "blowoff" in the event that a big hit is encountered with the fork locked out.

To unlock the fork, simply rotate the lever fully counterclockwise.

Note: The fork may cycle a couple of times after enabling lockout. Once complete lockout is achieved, the fork may continue to move 3 - 5 mm. This is normal and does not affect performance.

Changing the Coil Spring

Note: 32 mm Vanilla forks cannot be reduced in travel.

With a 26 mm 6-point socket wrench, loosen and remove the preload topcap (top of left leg).
Compress the fork slightly and remove the coil spring. You may need to firmly pull up on the spring to disengage it from the plunger shaft.
Wipe the spring dry with a rag and check the color code.
Install the new spring by dropping it into the upper tube.
Torque the topcap to 165 in-lb. (1864 N-cm).
Rotate the fork to a horizontal position and shake it to move the oil inside the fork over the spring. This lubricates it before its first travel push.
Measure and set sag.

WHEREVER YOU RIDE.