Fork Lowers
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 1,735
From: In The Woods, PA
Fork Lowers
Anyone ever strip the finish off of their Fork lowers? Mine look like crap after 20 years. I'd like to strip and polish them, if that fails I guess it will be off to powder coat. I've had chrome in the past ( not on this bike) and the rocks and road debris just destroyed them
Thinking about using a brush on chemical stripper. Anyone with experience or suggestions?
Thinking about using a brush on chemical stripper. Anyone with experience or suggestions?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 178
From: NY
Yes I did mine. Use Scotcbrite and Mothers or something to lubricate the sliders. I put the Scotchbrite in a 4" vibrating sander. Came out good but you need to start rough than change to less abrasive pads as you go. I had a friend do his sliders with the green Scotchbrite from the grocery store. worked good but took longer to strip.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,871
From: Upstate New York
Did it years ago. The clear coat wears off the leading side of the fork sliders and the alloy seems to corrode easily. I just sanded the remaining clear coat off. I started with 400 grit, then 600 and 1000. I could have continued on with 2000 grit and metal polish, but I like the stock brushed look, so I stopped there. The sandpaper also removed the corrosion.
After you finish sanding and polishing, stop by the Harley dealer and pick up some Harley Preserves. It's a polymer protectant for aluminum and comes in a moist towelette. You wipe it on the forks and it will keep the corrosion from coming back.
I treated my forks five five years ago with it, and they still look like new.
After you finish sanding and polishing, stop by the Harley dealer and pick up some Harley Preserves. It's a polymer protectant for aluminum and comes in a moist towelette. You wipe it on the forks and it will keep the corrosion from coming back.
I treated my forks five five years ago with it, and they still look like new.
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 1,735
From: In The Woods, PA
Did it years ago. The clear coat wears off the leading side of the fork sliders and the alloy seems to corrode easily. I just sanded the remaining clear coat off. I started with 400 grit, then 600 and 1000. I could have continued on with 2000 grit and metal polish, but I like the stock brushed look, so I stopped there. The sandpaper also removed the corrosion.
After you finish sanding and polishing, stop by the Harley dealer and pick up some Harley Preserves. It's a polymer protectant for aluminum and comes in a moist towelette. You wipe it on the forks and it will keep the corrosion from coming back.
I treated my forks five five years ago with it, and they still look like new.
After you finish sanding and polishing, stop by the Harley dealer and pick up some Harley Preserves. It's a polymer protectant for aluminum and comes in a moist towelette. You wipe it on the forks and it will keep the corrosion from coming back.
I treated my forks five five years ago with it, and they still look like new.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,871
From: Upstate New York
It's cheaper, just your own labor and some sandpaper and sealant. Yes, I'm a cheap bastard.
Preserves the stock appearance. Some of us actually like that. If not, you can polish them to a mirror shine, your choice.
No disassembly of the forks and no downtime waiting for the sliders to come back from the powder coater. I didn't even remove my wheel or fender (I'm careful, and used to working in tight places). I did the whole thing on a rainy day in the garage.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
By contrast I'm an idle whotnot and took mine to a local indy to polish them. Didn't cost much.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,871
From: Upstate New York
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
