Polished lower sliders
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 0
From: Sussex County NJ
RE: Polished lower sliders
Ok as I already posted in another topic. But since alot of people here have already done it I was hoping someone could please help
I started to remove my front tire to polish my forks (how could anyone resist this great look) and I cant seem to loosen the axel holding bolts on the right side.
Does anyone know the size and type of bolt it is.I dont want to strip it out.
Thanks
Punty
I started to remove my front tire to polish my forks (how could anyone resist this great look) and I cant seem to loosen the axel holding bolts on the right side.
Does anyone know the size and type of bolt it is.I dont want to strip it out.
Thanks
Punty
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 593
Likes: 1
From: The real UPstate. ‘daks!
RE: Polished lower sliders
Punty, not laughin' at ya, laughin' with ya. I just went through this yesterday. 19mm for the axle nut and 5mm allen for the two boltsunder the fork cap. I didn't know mm allens exsisted. Hope you don't have as much trouble with your axle as I did. Anti-sieze the heck out of it when you put it back together. Tim Also, 10 mm, 12 point for the brake caliber bolts.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,622
Likes: 7
From: Gulf Coast
RE: Polished lower sliders
ORIGINAL: DyNaBoB
Hey TOMMAY first i want to start off by saying thank for trying it first they look great.Second i was wondering wut way you sanded them up down the long way or side to side with the grain looking to do this on the train [sm=icon_cheers.gif]
[IMG]local://upfiles/8434/8E9BF8A1FB59490FAC07C19800F094DE.jpg[/IMG]
Hey TOMMAY first i want to start off by saying thank for trying it first they look great.Second i was wondering wut way you sanded them up down the long way or side to side with the grain looking to do this on the train [sm=icon_cheers.gif]
[IMG]local://upfiles/8434/8E9BF8A1FB59490FAC07C19800F094DE.jpg[/IMG]
Actually,I got the idea from someone else one the forum a long time ago when he mentioned that he had hand polished his sliders,I was just the first to do a step by step on it to share with everyody else.
Mostly sand the long way on the sliders,makes it quicker.
Good Luck
Tom
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 0
From: Sussex County NJ
RE: Polished lower sliders
Punty, not laughin' at ya, laughin' with ya. I just went through this yesterday. 19mm for the axle nut and 5mm allen for the two boltsunder the fork cap. I didn't know mm allens exsisted. Hope you don't have as much trouble with your axle as I did. Anti-sieze the heck out of it when you put it back together. Tim Also, 10 mm, 12 point for the brake caliber bolts.
thanks for the help TIMMER and everyone else
let the games begin
Punty
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 593
Likes: 1
From: The real UPstate. ‘daks!
RE: Polished lower sliders
Well, I finally got finished with this project. All in all it took me about 4-5 hours. I took my time and my sliders turned out very nice. To anyone that is going to take on this project a couple of things:
1. Don't get discouraged and think they aren't turning out very good, once you get done with your last sanding and put the polish to them, they will look great. 2. Take your time, the fender mounts,brake mounts,around the upper chrome covers & the bottom of the slidersare a pain in the a$$.3. Remember to put ample amounts of anti-sieze on the axle and locktite on all the bolts if your taking your front wheel off.
I went a little different route with the upper fork covers. I taped them and then put muffler clamps around them. I wasn't going to take the chance of screwing them up. Something for a little more protection.
The buffer really doesn't do a whole lot, maybe take out some of the scratches.
The Lowrider looks different without the front fender. And yes it went back on. That no front fender is for you Bobber guys.
The pictures didn't turn out for squat of the sliders done but man do they shine!Very poor lighting in the 'ol garage. Good luck to anyone taking on this project and thanks TOMMAY. Tim
1. Don't get discouraged and think they aren't turning out very good, once you get done with your last sanding and put the polish to them, they will look great. 2. Take your time, the fender mounts,brake mounts,around the upper chrome covers & the bottom of the slidersare a pain in the a$$.3. Remember to put ample amounts of anti-sieze on the axle and locktite on all the bolts if your taking your front wheel off.
I went a little different route with the upper fork covers. I taped them and then put muffler clamps around them. I wasn't going to take the chance of screwing them up. Something for a little more protection.
The buffer really doesn't do a whole lot, maybe take out some of the scratches.
The Lowrider looks different without the front fender. And yes it went back on. That no front fender is for you Bobber guys.
The pictures didn't turn out for squat of the sliders done but man do they shine!Very poor lighting in the 'ol garage. Good luck to anyone taking on this project and thanks TOMMAY. Tim
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
RE: Polished lower sliders
ORIGINAL: CraigC
For those considering this project, IF the lower sliders are actually clear-anodized and not powdercoated, Easy Off oven cleaner will remove it like it was made for the task. It will save A LOT of time spent sanding.....
For those considering this project, IF the lower sliders are actually clear-anodized and not powdercoated, Easy Off oven cleaner will remove it like it was made for the task. It will save A LOT of time spent sanding.....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
From: West Tennessee
RE: Polished lower sliders
There's instructions???
I have not done my sliders but I have polished other aluminum parts that were anodized. You would need to completely disassemble the sliders from the bike and hang them up somewhere outside, nowhere near anything that will react to caustic chemicals. Especially paint. Spray it down with the oven cleaner and let it foam up for a few minutes. Then, with gloves on, card off the finish with steel wool. Repeat as necessary. You have to get all the anodizing off because any spots of it left will leave high spots when you polish it. When you're satisfied with it, rinse it thoroughly with water. You should be able to smooth it with 320-600gr wet-or-dry and then hit it with the buffing wheel for a mirror shine.
:REPEAT: This only works if it is clear anodized. It will not work if it's clear powdercoated. You will have to find out from somebody that knows which finish the fork sliders have on them.
I have not done my sliders but I have polished other aluminum parts that were anodized. You would need to completely disassemble the sliders from the bike and hang them up somewhere outside, nowhere near anything that will react to caustic chemicals. Especially paint. Spray it down with the oven cleaner and let it foam up for a few minutes. Then, with gloves on, card off the finish with steel wool. Repeat as necessary. You have to get all the anodizing off because any spots of it left will leave high spots when you polish it. When you're satisfied with it, rinse it thoroughly with water. You should be able to smooth it with 320-600gr wet-or-dry and then hit it with the buffing wheel for a mirror shine.
:REPEAT: This only works if it is clear anodized. It will not work if it's clear powdercoated. You will have to find out from somebody that knows which finish the fork sliders have on them.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
RE: Polished lower sliders
ORIGINAL: CraigC
.......This only works if it is clear anodized. It will not work if it's clear powdercoated. You will have to find out from somebody that knows which finish the fork sliders have on them.
.......This only works if it is clear anodized. It will not work if it's clear powdercoated. You will have to find out from somebody that knows which finish the fork sliders have on them.
Would it just not affect a powdercoated finish?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
From: West Tennessee
RE: Polished lower sliders
I don't believe it will but if you're intent on polishing them and will sand them down anyway, it won't hurt to try.
Just don't get that **** on anything else! First time I did it I didn't wear gloves and my hands paid for it!
Just don't get that **** on anything else! First time I did it I didn't wear gloves and my hands paid for it!