02 Fatboy Fork Finish
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 11
Likes: 4
From: FL
02 Fatboy Fork Finish
Hi. I've had this 02 Fatboy since October of 2001.
The lower fork legs are looking pretty beaten down lately.
They don't seem to want to polish up. I'm guessing it's just anodized aluminum or some other finish on aluminum.
Withe all the experience packed into this forum, what's the best and most cost effective course?
Do I find a set of chromed out lower legs on Ebay? Take these apart and send them to someone for chrome? Or, is there a better option out there?
Thanks for any help!!
The lower fork legs are looking pretty beaten down lately.
They don't seem to want to polish up. I'm guessing it's just anodized aluminum or some other finish on aluminum.
Withe all the experience packed into this forum, what's the best and most cost effective course?
Do I find a set of chromed out lower legs on Ebay? Take these apart and send them to someone for chrome? Or, is there a better option out there?
Thanks for any help!!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 1,488
From: Black Hills of SD
If you have the ambition - Sanded down with lighter and lighter grits and then polished, they would look even nicer and have a deeper finish than chrome. But, it's work. Lots of people have done that process on many bikes with excellent results.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 11
From: leftcoast
I'm "in the process" of restoring a '74 Suzuki TM400. Forks, rims and spokes looked like crap. I use a product called Semi-chrome polish. Does wonders with aluminium. Used to use it on my old Triumph engine cases and they would come out looking like chrome. Might give it a try before you spend too much money.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 600
From: The 1980's
Went total chrome on the front end of my 2002 Fat Boy many years ago. I guess my question would be can you be satisfied with chrome lower and stock upper?
I was for a couple of years. Then I wound up having it all done.
I was for a couple of years. Then I wound up having it all done.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 11
Likes: 4
From: FL
Thanks! That's a great option.
There's a nick in one of the legs. I'll have to take a picture of it and see if that is still acceptable as a core.
The fluid was changed a few years ago when I had the fork springs replaced with a Progressive kit.
No idea why I didn't change out the legs then.
There's a nick in one of the legs. I'll have to take a picture of it and see if that is still acceptable as a core.
The fluid was changed a few years ago when I had the fork springs replaced with a Progressive kit.
No idea why I didn't change out the legs then.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,282
From: OH, USA
Thanks! That's a great option.
There's a nick in one of the legs. I'll have to take a picture of it and see if that is still acceptable as a core.
The fluid was changed a few years ago when I had the fork springs replaced with a Progressive kit.
No idea why I didn't change out the legs then.
There's a nick in one of the legs. I'll have to take a picture of it and see if that is still acceptable as a core.
The fluid was changed a few years ago when I had the fork springs replaced with a Progressive kit.
No idea why I didn't change out the legs then.
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6th Gear
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2022
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From: Jax, FL
I was just reading about this in the cheapo mod thread - I believe they are clear-coated or painted (need to check again) but as mine is an '02 also a refin is something I'll do eventually. Everything else on mine looks great.
Let me know if you are near NE FL!
Also - someone replied to my n00b thread with this - good advice:
"Add a Signature Line in your USER set up for your bike year, model, and all the letters that Harley recognizes it with so others see at the bottom of all your post. This enables others to know your exact model if you ever ask a question. And an Avatar of your favorite shot in the USER set up for the small picture others will see in the top left corner of your post."
Raz
Let me know if you are near NE FL!
Also - someone replied to my n00b thread with this - good advice:
"Add a Signature Line in your USER set up for your bike year, model, and all the letters that Harley recognizes it with so others see at the bottom of all your post. This enables others to know your exact model if you ever ask a question. And an Avatar of your favorite shot in the USER set up for the small picture others will see in the top left corner of your post."
Raz
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