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Lower fork let cleaning tips.

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Old May 12, 2016 | 01:55 PM
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Default Lower fork leg cleaning tips.

My lower fork legs on my 2006 Dyna Super Glide have discoloration spots on them, not sure why as I'm not original owner. Any tips on cleaning ?

Also thinking if they don't clean up, might change to chrome lowers. Saw some on Ebay for $150-$250. Can change them over myself. Any thoughts / experiences with these ? Says they're original HD that have been chromed.
 

Last edited by Cbb129; May 12, 2016 at 09:04 PM. Reason: Mispelled title
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Old May 12, 2016 | 02:24 PM
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I have done this with aluminum polish starting with green Scotchbrite pads and working down with steel wool. I had success but never re-clear coated them after so its an ongoing thing. I started using small polisher and it's even easier.
 
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Old May 12, 2016 | 02:36 PM
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Pits/scratches in the clear coat allow the aluminum underneath to corrode (white rust). Would best to strip the clear, then metal finish (polish, brush, blast, peen, etc.), then re-clear. Or you can dispense with the clear re-coat and deal with periodic finish maintenance. Or powder coat. Or chrome. Or color paint. Or replace.
 
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Old May 12, 2016 | 02:43 PM
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My bike is " Cosmic Blue."
I know the clear coat is lousy on these bikes. Would having the lower fork sliders painted Cosmic Blue be silly?
Tired of black and chrome.
 
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Old May 12, 2016 | 02:52 PM
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Polished aluminum is a maintenance nightmare, compared to quality chrome plating.
 
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Old May 12, 2016 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Cbb129
My lower fork legs on my 2006 Dyna Super Glide have discoloration spots on them, not sure why as I'm not original owner. Any tips on cleaning ?

Also thinking if they don't clean up, might change to chrome lowers. Saw some on Ebay for $150-$250. Can change them over myself. Any thoughts / experiences with these ? Says they're original HD that have been chromed.
Nice looking ZRX! I have a green 2002.


Edit: Picture added:
I have since put the emblems back on the bike.



PS. I have found the stripped and polished aluminum fork tubes on my Dyna to be a breeze to maintain.
 

Last edited by SixDD; May 12, 2016 at 03:23 PM.
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Old May 12, 2016 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by NORTY FLATZ
My bike is " Cosmic Blue."
I know the clear coat is lousy on these bikes. Would having the lower fork sliders painted Cosmic Blue be silly?
Tired of black and chrome.
All by themselves, probably look outta place. Add in the trees and some other trim pieces and you start building a theme.

Black and brightwork forever!
 
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Old May 12, 2016 | 03:49 PM
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Were all fork lowers originally factory clear coated? I'm asking because I was just getting ready to hit mine with some Simichrome and a Mother's PowerBall on my 2000 FXDX. They definitely look and feel like uncoated aluminum, but maybe 16 year old clear coat just doesn't look like anything anymore... I guess I need to take a closer look at them... There is no discernible paint edge around any bolt holes anywhere...
 
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Old May 12, 2016 | 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by F86
Were all fork lowers originally factory clear coated? I'm asking because I was just getting ready to hit mine with some Simichrome and a Mother's PowerBall on my 2000 FXDX. They definitely look and feel like uncoated aluminum, but maybe 16 year old clear coat just doesn't look like anything anymore... I guess I need to take a closer look at them... There is no discernible paint edge around any bolt holes anywhere...
wash them, then take a small amount of polish on your finger and try to polish.... if you start getting a black slurry they're uncoated. If the polish stays the same color and you're just spreading it, they're coated.
 
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Old May 12, 2016 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by F86
Were all fork lowers originally factory clear coated? I'm asking because I was just getting ready to hit mine with some Simichrome and a Mother's PowerBall on my 2000 FXDX. They definitely look and feel like uncoated aluminum, but maybe 16 year old clear coat just doesn't look like anything anymore... I guess I need to take a closer look at them... There is no discernible paint edge around any bolt holes anywhere...
I know the lowers on my 99 WG are cleared. Can't speak to the 00 DX
 
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