Powdercoating trees question
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
RE: Powdercoating trees question
There is a tool that is like a fork & pulls the tapered roller bearing up. If you wish just to remove & purchase a new set of bearings, carefully pry up not to scar your triple tree. You can carefully install the new one with a PVC pipe that fits around the 1" stem & rests on the inner race. I sell the whole kit with bearings, races & seals for $15.70 + $8.95 shipping 2 day.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
RE: Powdercoating trees question
I powdercoated my trees myself. I took them off the bike, sprayed brake cleaner in the bearing left on the bottom treethen blew it out with compressed air a couple of times to get all the grease out of it. I then taped the bearing and stem off with a couple of layers of duct tape before Isandblasted it. After I blasted it I blew it off again with compressed air before I untaped it.
After that, I pulled off the duct tape and made a couple of wraps with the high heat "powdercoating" tape around the bearing whereit meets the tree, then I taped a piece of aluminum foil to the tape on the bearing much like you would masking paper and wadded upthe foil around the stem to keep the powder off. I powdered it and put it in the oven just like that and baked it for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Then I greased the bearings and put it back together. That was about 1500 miles ago with no problems to date.
I'm not saying I did it the "correct" way, I'm just saying it has worked so far...
After that, I pulled off the duct tape and made a couple of wraps with the high heat "powdercoating" tape around the bearing whereit meets the tree, then I taped a piece of aluminum foil to the tape on the bearing much like you would masking paper and wadded upthe foil around the stem to keep the powder off. I powdered it and put it in the oven just like that and baked it for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Then I greased the bearings and put it back together. That was about 1500 miles ago with no problems to date.
I'm not saying I did it the "correct" way, I'm just saying it has worked so far...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
RE: Powdercoating trees question
ORIGINAL: blackness
I powdercoated my trees myself. I took them off the bike, sprayed brake cleaner in the bearing left on the bottom treethen blew it out with compressed air a couple of times to get all the grease out of it.
I powdercoated my trees myself. I took them off the bike, sprayed brake cleaner in the bearing left on the bottom treethen blew it out with compressed air a couple of times to get all the grease out of it.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
RE: Powdercoating trees question
Thank You very much. I have no real experience doing things like this as we just coat them in the marine industries for salt water protection. I did not know you could cut in like you do. I guess the elements do not get underneeth the powdercoating causing lifting? This is why I am asking
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
RE: Powdercoating trees question
ORIGINAL: FastHarley
what did you do with the holes in the trees (Clamps) for the fork tubes?
what did you do with the holes in the trees (Clamps) for the fork tubes?
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
RE: Powdercoating trees question
Yeah, I had to resist spinning mine with the compressed air, it makes such a cool sound. lol
I saw a guy do that once on a bearing with a plastic cage and it blew apart sending rollers flying at very high speed... OUCH
I saw a guy do that once on a bearing with a plastic cage and it blew apart sending rollers flying at very high speed... OUCH
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