They left an air gap of 190mms. Should be 177mms and 174mms. Going out today to test.
OK...with that air gap, that should rule out it hydraulically locking up.
Not sure what manual you are using for reference, but I'd recommend you look at the one Alan has posted under Alans1100...
...also its a little old, but the youtube clip below should be helpful on the practical level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrmYJgcGX30Your forks are quite simple and basic, so not a lot can (should), go wrong....the only suggestion I can make is to us a lighter grade oil, say 7.5wt (mix a 10 and a 5wt at 1:1), also if your intent of making physical changes, Progressive do (did), make quite nice springs for your forks and the 2 bikes I have ridden with them fitted, I was pleasently supprised.
The post 96 1100 A's utilise 43mm forks for which Progressive do not make springs, so what I have done to soften the ride for my aging arse is to use 7wt oil in the compression leg and a 10wt on the rebound and I turned up a heap of varying thickness spacers to preload one of the springs under the top cap...thus acheiving an approx 30mm drop from unloaded to loaded drop and a
best I can get dampening...yes my forks are different to your, but the principles are the same as defined within the youtube clip.
Good Luckn n Cheers, the can :-)