Help changing XR fork oil please

[(RIP) sherpa]

I've removed the forks legs fine and according to the Haynes manual after removing the cap on top I should be able to lift out the spring.
Only problem is the spring seems to be attached to the cap and the whole lot won't lift out - I've pulled upwards HARD!
Pic 1 shows the cap close up with the air purge on top - I wondered if I need to put a spanner on the smaller nut just under the cap and then remove the cap but the spring seems to be secured at the bottom of the leg some how.

Pic 2 shows the whole thing with the fork leg compreessed but still won't come loose.

Pic 3 (sorry about the focus!) shows the bottom of the leg - both are the same. Should that large allen bolt come out too drain oil or shall I just tip the legs upside down and let it drain overnight. There is in't other smaller drain anywhere as mentioned in the Haynes manual
The main problem is I can't get the spring out, as I say, and according to the instruction I'm supposed to check the oil level with the spring out and a tape measure in there - no way can I do that with the spring in the way!

Whilst on the subject of suspension the rear unit has a canister piggy backed to it (it's a KYB unit) and this has what looks to be a schrader valve on the bottom but when I 'purged' it red fluid came out! Looked similar to ATF fluid. Should it?

Any help on both matters would be much appreciated
Sorry the pics are all seperate I don't know how to multi post

Sherpa

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

pic 2

sherpa

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

pic 3

sherpa

 

[Timpo]

Pull...

Pull the spring down and put spanner (think its 15mm but its been some time?) on the locknut and a spanner on the cap an turn then in opposite directions, the damper rod is right handed thread. Try not to move the locknut up or down the damper rod thread when apart.
The plug at the bottom of the fork leg is to release the damper unit.
Take care with oil weight and volume, any deviation from standards gives poor results.

Hope this is of help.
Timpo.

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

Thanks Timpo
So I just have to remove the cap to lift out the spring? Then pour out the oil and refill with fresh to the correct level?

Am I interpreting that correctly?

Any idea what the red fluid is from the rear reservoir? I understand that the valve on the bottom is for refilling the gas so does the fact the fluid is present mean that the gas is missing?

So many questions - so little knowledge!
Thanks for any help again

Sherpa

 

[Timpo]

Not to sure...

Rear resees I have not dabbled with.
Try www.4strokes.com or a similar site.
Sorry.
Timpo.

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

FFS!

Pull the spring down and put spanner (think its 15mm ....

Hope this is of help.
Timpo.

It's a 17mm spanner

I had to go back to my toolbox and get the right one





All striped now and new oil about to go in - thanks again Timpo

Sherps

 

[Cookson]

Thanks Timpo
So I just have to remove the cap to lift out the spring? Then pour out the oil and refill with fresh to the correct level?

Am I interpreting that correctly?

Any idea what the red fluid is from the rear reservoir? I understand that the valve on the bottom is for refilling the gas so does the fact the fluid is present mean that the gas is missing?

So many questions - so little knowledge!
Thanks for any help again

Sherpa

Rear unit would need to be done by a specialist.