After getting advice from MOB and others here, I figured I'd update the results after finding some slop in the fork bushings on my '05.
Upper bushings didn't look so bad. Shown here next to the new bushings. The inside, which is the sliding surface, still had some teflon layer, but the outside was worn down. Don't know how that happens when they're driven into a bore in the slider.
The lowers looked a lot worse compares to the new ones. (first time I've replaced fork bushings, so I didn't know what is normal, other than comparing to new ones.) I'm guessing this is where 90% of the slop was.
After replacing all four bushings, the slop is nearly eliminated. I could find ONE position on the right leg where I could find some side to side play with the new bushings in. I'm afraid this probably means the inside of the fork slider is also worn. So far, they seem fine in use, and I'll have to ponder the idea of getting a new fork slider. Or put it on my Christmas list to swap out next winter.
With as bad as the bushings seemed to be, I hadn't noticed much wrong. The only thing I can remember is a couple of times practicing quick stops, and a few times after coming to a hard stop I heard and felt a clunk in the front end.
Other than the bushings, the Race Tech emulators are awesome! But I suppose that's another post....
