OK, let me see if I have this right...
The preload spacers at the top of the forks will not affect the fork travel at all...
SO, when the ChopCult guys lowered their forks by 3.5", they significantly reduced the travel, but since they compensated by cutting the same amount off of the pre-load spacer, they still have the same preload as the stock bike...
IN THE RYCA VIDEO.... They are adding a 2" spacer at the bottom to shorten the fork and reduce travel, but it appears that they are replacing the stock preload spacer without cutting it at all; effectively adding 2" of extra pre-load? That seems pretty strange to me, but it sure would stifffen up the front end, and it explains why they are pushing down so hard to get the fork caps into place.
Have I got this right? Can the stock forks really accept an extra 2" of pre-load?

Thanks Motobuddha!
Can you or any of you other Ryca guys out there give me a sense of how different the forks are between (1) Stock, (2) Lowered 2" with the stock springs, and (3) lowered 2" and upgraded to the Progressive springs.
I know all of that is totally subjective, and kind of impossible for me to judge, especially since I have never ridden the bike in sock form at all, but I'd like to see more riding impressions on these Ryca bikes. The one I am building will look different, but should be set up to ride and handle about the same...
Many thanks for all of your help, and my apologies to Danman; I hadn't meant to hijack your thread, but I hope the conversation is helpfull...
Cheers!