on a pair of poploc pikes would i remove the poploc (bar mounted) and unhook the spring so i could use the compression adjust by hand?

I'd be interested in knowing this as well, except for Revelations (Air)

I think the info you 2 require is on the tft site I asked Tim earlier this year and he said don't let anyone tell you you need to have a new cartridge just clip the spring and replace the lock out lever for the manual one and a different "o" ring to stop it slipping. That was for revs by the way

http://members.shaw.ca/steveriggs3/Poplockconversion.pdf

Top job fella's, going to get on with that as soon as. Cheers !

I've done this on my mates Pikes:
1 you dont need to take the gate adjuster off, a socket will fit over the assy and onto the top-cap nut.
2, the red damper body is LH threaded onto the top-cap.
3, you can remove the bottom of the damper unit (black bit with the gate disc on it)by pushing in the 2 tabs at the bottom. This way you can get the spring right out.