polished forks

[jimmytee]

Here is a pic of my polished forks. Have not put em on the bike yet. Got to seal them first.

[9Ball]

nice job...how long did it take you to get to that spectacular finish?

[jimmytee]

nice job...how long did it take you to get to that spectacular finish?

Thanks. Well it really didn't take that long of actual polishing time. I used stripper on them first, to help remove the protective clear coating. I also polished the trees, which were easier. Easier, because if you look at your forks, you'll notice there are lines running down the entire length of the uppers. These lines hamper the mirror finish, so on mine they're no longer there. That required a combination of sanding, ans an 8" polishing wheel on my grinder using 2-3 different rouges/buffing compounds. Followed up with Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish with the buffing wheel. The hardest part is holding the forks while buffing them. If I were doing more of these, I'd design a jig to hold the forks. But I'm done with them now. Also, I would use a face shield as the splatter from the buffing wheel will turn a white face black as I can attest to.  
I am using a product called Shine Seal http://www.shineseal.com/ to protect them. I first tried a rattle can clear coat which I didn't like. I did some searching and found this Shine Seal product and if it delivers, so far so good. Real Easy.

[hal47]

What do you plan on sealing them with,clear powder coat mite work.

[jimmytee]

I am using a product called Shine Seal http://www.shineseal.com/ to protect them. I first tried a rattle can clear coat which I didn't like. I did some searching and found this Shine Seal product and if it delivers, so far so good. Real Easy.
Powder coat would've been an option, but I had just already rebuilt the forks when someone suggested it.

[hal47]

Jimmy just added shine shield to my book marks,thanks for the info.

[Jess from VA]

Really nice man! 

Polished forks is the only thing left I'd like to have (besides wash and wear powdercoat wheels).  Probably never do either.  No need to shine the interstate trees.

[Jack B]

I didn't put any sealer on mine. I just keep them waxed and after 2 years they still look great.

[Skinhead]

Let us know how that shineseal works out.

[BF]

Here is a pic of my polished forks. Have not put em on the bike yet. Got to seal them first.

Sweet.   

[jimmytee]

I didn't put any sealer on mine. I just keep them waxed and after 2 years they still look great.

That's a definite alternative. In my search for proper protection techniques, just using a good wax is one method. I read good things about the Shine Seal, that actually is an improved formula of an older product mentioned in a lot of hot rod and different car forums. I did my trees and it was easy, and looks great. Time will tell on the protection abilities.

Thanks Jess and BF
 You're welcome hal47
 

[salty1]

Very nice work JimmyTee!  I've polished my wheels and lower forks and have used polish to maintain the shine. I'm real interested in the Shine Seal, thanks for sharing. Have you polished your final drive housing? By the way, I'm a real fan of Mothers mag and aluminum polish, great polishing product.

[IamGCW]

I had my forks polished by Grumpy.  Then sealed them with Sharkhide   ( http://www.sharkhide.com/ ).  His work is top notch, but he may not be doing this work for a little while.  His hands are recovering from an accident months ago.  Last Saturday several other Valk riders looked at the forks and commented on them being chromed.  Nope Grumpy (Bill) just does a great job at a great rate.  

Gil

[Otus]

I've got a wood lathe that I'm thinking about throwing a polishing wheel on. It's variable speed and I think it'll make a nice standing polisher.  I also have two friends who do powder coating, pretty simple process and the equipment isn't too pricey. I think I'm going to play around with some polishing, start off with little things like clutch/brake levers.

[salty1]

I've got a wood lathe that I'm thinking about throwing a polishing wheel on. It's variable speed and I think it'll make a nice standing polisher.  I also have two friends who do powder coating, pretty simple process and the equipment isn't too pricey. I think I'm going to play around with some polishing, start off with little things like clutch/brake levers.

It's contagious!   

[pancho]

Nice job Jimmytee,,,,  sanded out the ridges???  you were working for awhile... I bet you not only had a black face, but a black body, black clothes, black shoes, black tools, black surroundings, black... black... Yeah, if I ever attempt it, after seeing this post, I think I will cut out a couple of wooden v blocks and mount them on a 4X4 or something.  Final product looks great.

[Flrider]

I had my forks polished by Grumpy.  Then sealed them with Sharkhide   ( http://www.sharkhide.com/ ).  His work is top notch, but he may not be doing this work for a little while.  His hands are recovering from an accident months ago.  Last Saturday several other Valk riders looked at the forks and commented on them being chromed.  Nope Grumpy (Bill) just does a great job at a great rate.  

Gil

Gil, I have seen your polished forks before and Bill did do a great job on them 

I have done it before on a VTX, there was more work involved because they do have a rough texture on the insides of the forks which need to be sanded.
The Valk forks seem to be a little easier to do but I have not gotten around to doing mine.

Jinmmy and Gil, you guys  are not helping   

[Garry 2r's]

Nice job !! did mine 2 years ago  made a jig and used Dr. dewalt to spin fork with socket over fork cap nut. started with 150 grit then worked my way up to 2000 wet sanding. No clear coat easy to keep shiny.

[Skinhead]

Nice job !! did mine 2 years ago  made a jig and used Dr. dewalt to spin fork with socket over fork cap nut.

That's a good idea!  Where were you when I was doing mine??  (any Pics of the jig?)

[jimmytee]

Nice job Jimmytee,,,,  sanded out the ridges???  you were working for awhile... I bet you not only had a black face, but a black body, black clothes, black shoes, black tools, black surroundings, black... black... Yeah, if I ever attempt it, after seeing this post, I think I will cut out a couple of wooden v blocks and mount them on a 4X4 or something.  Final product looks great.

Thanks. The ridges weren't that bad . Thier not that deep. I actually used a dremel multi tool to sand them with. Then I used the buffing wheel. Holding tje weight of the fork and manipulating it across the buffing wheel was the hardest part. The arms get a little tired so I take a break .

[olddog1946]

Those forks are  BEAUTIFUL . Though I think they'd look much better on my bike, lol...
Seriously, you did a fine job on em.

[Dorkman]

Great job...top to bottom they shine like chrome.  Just wondering if anyone has polished with the forks on the bike, wheel and fender and brakes removed, maybe stiffen with the axel, and with lots of masking?  The bottom of the forks sure take a beating.

[salty1]

Hey Dork! I polished my lower forks on the bike, see below. They were pretty well messed up before. After masking, I used paint remover to eliminate the clearcoat and follwed up with a Mothers power ball and Mothers mag and aluminum polish. I did remove the wheel.