Originally Posted by
jimc101
Why do you need to? a frame from 1997 doesn't need suspension corrected forks, as most forks back then were of a max 80mm travel (that was long trave then), and that dosen't need any correcting. Besides that, you can't put a spacer above the crown race, as it would interfere with the bearings.
+1
Suspension travel was much less back then. Unless this is a serious downhill bike even a non-corrected rigid fork should work just fine. How much of a difference is there in the axle-to-crown distance? Like you, I've read that making these changes can seriously mess up the handling. But having personally done this twice, it's really not a big deal. With a shorter fork your handling will be slightly "faster" and twitchier, but I doubt it will be adversely affected.
Your question about the spacers above the crown race was covered before. Conclusion: dangerous/impossible.