I think that we all evolve favourites over time and with experience. And we all follow different routes, because we can't individually test everything, but we all know what works for us.
As I said before, brake pads interact with your individual style. I know I'm not a braker, so the track based pads never get hot enough for me. OIl and grease really won't make much difference. Stay with the right viscosity oil, but any grease will lubricate kingpins, and it would take a lengthy scientific test to establish wear patterns of greases over time.
Dampers are over discussed. Take them off and see how it feels. Having had two fails, I know that on the road, you just can't tell much difference. I know that Spax single dampers are as good as AVO adjustables, within a few % and that Spax adjustables are slightly better. For me anyway.
I also know that if you have a six leaf spring rear, replacing with four leaf springs and a Panhard rod will make a significant improvement to ride and handling.
^^^^^ All relevant to Trads.
