If you plan on working on your forks then a fork spring compressor makes the job a little easier. Instead on paying nearly $50 its quick and easy to make your own compressor. With stock springs I could compress my forks by hand but after upgrading to stiffer springs it was not possible.

Supplies needed (I purchased all these supplies for less than $5 at Lowe's)

1. 2 1/2 inch PVC coupler
2. 3/8" threaded rod 12" long
3. 4 nuts to fit 3/8" rod

Next cut the threaded rod in half to make 2 6" rods. Use need to form a point on one end of each of the rods. Use a grinder for this. Now using a 3/8" drill bit drill a hole through both sides of the PVC coupler. Place a rod through each hole with nuts on both sides to keep the rod from moving. On most forks there is a plastic spacer above the spring with 2 holes in it. This is where the pointed ends of the compressor fit. Make sure the rods are tight against the holes. Now you can press down (wear gloves) on the outer rods to compress the spring while another person places a wrench on the damper to help remove the fork cap.

Removing or installing the cap can be a one person job if you have a vise mounted to a bench. Place the fork in the vise. Place the spring compressor on the fork. You will need a tie-down looped under the vise with each end hooked over the PVC coupler and the threaded rod. Make sure the ends of the tie-down are over the threaded rod from opposite sides. Now start pulling on the tie-down strap and it will begin to compress the fork. I used one hand to pull the strap and the other to pull down on the spring compressor. It took a little time to get it right on the first fork but the second one was easy.