OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Ken 737 on January 01, 2014, 03:01:28 pm

Title: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: Ken 737 on January 01, 2014, 03:01:28 pm
Hi guys,

My RM fix-up has quite pitted fork legs. How do you restore them?

I appreciate all of your help. As a bike mechanic I am a great scientist :)

Cheers

Ken
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: Iain Cameron on January 01, 2014, 03:25:09 pm
They need to be machined then re chromed this is not just show chrome its a hard chrome . Depending on which state your from there are a few who do it . Iain
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: mainline on January 01, 2014, 04:44:40 pm
Assuming you're talking upper fork legs?
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: Ted on January 01, 2014, 05:03:06 pm
Legs are bottom, tubes are top
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: mainline on January 01, 2014, 05:14:01 pm
Legs are bottom, tubes are top

Hence my question to clarify
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: Ted on January 01, 2014, 05:18:47 pm
Was talking to Ken

Happy New Year Hairdo
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: mainline on January 01, 2014, 05:21:46 pm
How do you know he's not talking about re-anodising the lowers?

Happy New Year to you, get some hair for xmas?
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: SON on January 01, 2014, 05:42:41 pm
Wet and Dry of various grades
Use WD40 etc as the lubricant
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: Ted on January 01, 2014, 06:00:16 pm
How do you know he's not talking about re-anodising the lowers?

Happy New Year to you, get some hair for xmas?

Hair of the dog is what I needed  ;D
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: mainline on January 01, 2014, 06:10:43 pm
You're not Robinson Crusoe. I'm going to have a go at spending my beer money on bikes for a couple of months.
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: Ted on January 01, 2014, 06:14:42 pm
Two pots a week.....pffft
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: mainline on January 01, 2014, 06:27:17 pm
It'll buy me some fork seals maybe?

Anyway we have digressed, as far as the forks are concerned if the uppers are pitted there are mobs like Rad Hard Chrome in brissy who will machine and rechrome them, if the lowers are bashed about, you can sand and then polish them yourself or have them re-anodised if you want to spend the coin.
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: oldfart on January 01, 2014, 06:30:01 pm
I prefer using a lathe with green scotch bright pads on slow speed or you can achieve the same affect on a bench grinder with a scotch bright pad.
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: Ken 737 on January 03, 2014, 08:53:56 pm
Thanks guys. I was referring to the lower fork legs. I will try the wet and dry with WD40 lube.
Cheers
Ken
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: SON on January 03, 2014, 09:41:43 pm
Start coarse
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: Big Bird on January 03, 2014, 11:31:37 pm
Hi Ken,

Try brushing on liquid Drano, or some other caustic cleaner like oven cleaner or the like.  Scrub with steel wool (wear gloves).  When you can feel the steel wool dragging, you have scrubbed through the anodized layer.  Another sign is the drano fizzing as soon as it is brushed on.  Rinse with water, neutralize with some vinegar or similar, rinse again - then start polishing!
I've done two fork legs within an hour this way.  Much quicker than trying to sand off anodizing
Cheers,
Geoff
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: 80-85 husky on January 04, 2014, 09:26:25 am
are we talking sliders or legs here?

sliders being the bits that slide up and down with the seals in them

the legs are the chromed bits that bolt to the bike. ive never seen them anodised.
Title: Re: How to clean/return the finish on fork legs?
Post by: Davey Crocket on January 04, 2014, 10:35:42 am
Pardon my ignorance but what fork legs [lower] have anodising on them?....I have only ever seen painted [whatever colour] and clear coated ones [usually turns a yellowish colour after many years....no UV additive in the el cheapo paint].