Hey everyone I'm new and self taught so forgive me if I'm using the wrong terminology - or better yet correct me! I've seen a couple bikes with gold/brass colored fork tubes (I'm referring to the upper part that slides down into the lower half of the forks). Is that accomplished through the anodizing process? Any draw backs to doing this? Does it wear off? Can it be done to the stock tubes?

Any help is appreciated!

 

The gold is a titanium nitride coating.

 

anno will not work, you need to do DLC coating on tubes, is VERY $$$ when things slow down in the shop we are going to try doing a set in cerrakote as that is super thin and very strong, what we use on firearms. DLC is the only way as of now... and some tubes have bushings on the inside that have to be cut out, then welded back in as they can not take the heat of the process.

 

As Joe stated, DLC is the way to go... Diamond Like Carbon coating. Has a coefficient of friction of 0.1 it is the lowest friction coating available improving suspension action considerably.

It's big in Motocross, improves "stiction" but for most people it offers more show than go. I had DLC factory SXS forks on my KTM, unbelievably better than stock... but I contribute that to the valving.

TiNi, is another option... Titanium Nitride is Gold in Color. Apparently not as effective as the DLC, but still reduces friction and increases smoothness. Is a non-stick surface with a coefficient of friction of 0.65.

Fork coatings usually run $500 + ... maybe a set of fork gators will black out your forks a little easier.. especially on the wallet. HaHa

DLC... TiNi... Chrome

 

There are a few guys on here that forked over (see what I did there?) the cash for DLC and they were not very impressed. I remember one guy in particular said that you could see the coating wearing off after a few hundred miles. No thanks...

 

man i would be very surprised to see that DLC is one of the hardest coatings you can possibly do. I would guess something is wrong if that is wearing, man that is alot of coin to toss out to have it wear off!

 

Yep, so it's gators and your upper covers for me. Speaking of which, when will yours be ready to go? I wanna buy a set ASAP!

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showt...=619026&page=2

That's the post I was referring to. But I was mistaken on the miles. He put 7,000 on and started to notice wear. Still not worth it IMO. And that's coming from a guy who would absolutely love to black out his fork tubes...

 

I just bought some gloss black vinyl wrap for my upper forks. Figured it would be a cheap test to see how it looks. Might not be too durable but for ten bucks dgaf

 

I saw some "kits" on eBay. You'll have to let us know how it turns out. I'd imagine it would be something you'd wanna change every year or two because of bugs, road debris and whatever else makes it up there...
And at that price, who cares as long as it works