|
RUDE DOG - Steelers
|
 |
« on: December 04, 2009, 03:37:07 PM » |
|
Like to polish my fork tubes to look like chrome. Saw others have done it. Id like to know the process you used, how involved and what I need. Thanks, John
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Momz
|
 |
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2009, 05:56:34 PM » |
|
John, Lets not get too ethnic here. We don't Arab our wheels, or Canuck our brakes, or Wet Back our seats either. LOL!    |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 ALWAYS QUESTION AUTHORITY! 97 Valk bobber, 98 Valk Rat Rod, 2K SuperValk, plus several other classic bikes |
|
|
Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
|
|
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2009, 06:44:10 PM » |
|
Basic Steps:
Disassemble forks
Sand off clear coat and machine tool marks on fork legs (~100 grit paper for coarse work, then finer to remove sanding scrathes down to 1000 wet/dry)
Rough polish with emery compound, final polish with alumina (white) compound.
Can clear coat when finished, I didn't clear coat mine.
Can be done over a long weekend.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 Troy, MI |
|
|
Chrome
Member
Posts: 685
Um boom ba Bay Um boom ba Bay Ba Ba Boom Ba Be Be
London Ontario Canada
|
|
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2009, 06:46:28 PM » |
|
Hi John Was having new springs put in my forks awhile ago, took them to my plater and had them chromed. Easy.No maintenace and still look great. It cost but what the hell Adrian(Chrome)V  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2001 Valkyrie I/S
1999 Valkyrie I/S
1998 Valkyrie Tourer
1998 Ace Tourer
1984 V45 Sabre
1976 CB 750 SuperSport
1969 CB 750 Chopper
|
|
|
fudgie
Member
Posts: 10613
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
|
|
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2009, 06:53:43 PM » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
|
|
|
RUDE DOG - Steelers
|
|
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2009, 10:19:24 AM » |
|
For the chroming, how much did it cost? Wether chroming or polishing them, you said disassemble. Do you mean taking the tubes totally apart or just removing them from the bike?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
|
|
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2009, 11:31:18 AM » |
|
Just remove them from the bike for polishing. If you want to do the triple clamps, you'll have to remove them as well. The triple clamps are clear coated, since there is no need to remove the tool marks ( like on the upper fork legs) you can start with finer ~2-320 grit wet/dry paper. The fewer scratches you make removing the clear coat, the less work you have prior to polishing. I haven't tried it, but there is some Air craft paint stripper available at auto stores that might work, but like I said I've never used it. Maybe some one else has and can offer their $0.02.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Troy, MI |
|
|
|
|
Chrome
Member
Posts: 685
Um boom ba Bay Um boom ba Bay Ba Ba Boom Ba Be Be
London Ontario Canada
|
|
« Reply #8 on: December 05, 2009, 04:27:08 PM » |
|
Hi John My forks were all apart. The chroming bill for uppers and lowers was about 600 CAD and I think it was about 5 to 6 years ago. Must cost abit more now.
Adrian
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2001 Valkyrie I/S
1999 Valkyrie I/S
1998 Valkyrie Tourer
1998 Ace Tourer
1984 V45 Sabre
1976 CB 750 SuperSport
1969 CB 750 Chopper
|
|
|
Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
|
|
« Reply #9 on: December 05, 2009, 05:59:40 PM » |
|
I dont have to worry about the Triples, I just ordered my 6 degree raked trees from Daryl at XF6  . What do you mean by Tool Marks? The uneven rings in the surface of the upper fork legs left by the cutting tool when they were turned on a lathe. When you polish the forks they should be smooth or they'll look like Sheet. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Troy, MI |
|
|
|
RUDE DOG - Steelers
|
|
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2009, 09:08:58 AM » |
|
I dont have to worry about the Triples, I just ordered my 6 degree raked trees from Daryl at XF6 . What do you mean by Tool Marks? The uneven rings in the surface of the upper fork legs left by the cutting tool when they were turned on a lathe. When you polish the forks they should be smooth or they'll look like Sheet. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
|
|
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2009, 05:16:53 PM » |
|
You are correct, Sir! All done by hand. I suppose if you had access to a lathe, you could chuck up each leg and take a flat tool and make a skim pass to remove the tool marks. I didn't have that luxury, so it was like a date with yourself, all done by hand. In fact, that's kinda the "stroke" you use (took me a while to get used to the smaller diameter and shorter length than I'm accustomed to). All joking aside, it can be done in a weekend, just be sure to remove all sanding marks from the previous grit as you go up in paper. Also make sure to remove the tool marks completely, or they will show when you polish. Also don't sand the raised sections where the clamps go. Here's a pic of my results, please excuse the dirt and dead bugs, haven't had a chance to give Cheniqua a bath.  I spent quite a few hours on each leg, ~ 6 each I'd guess. |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: December 07, 2009, 05:19:04 PM by Skinhead »
|
Logged
|
Troy, MI |
|
|
|
RUDE DOG - Steelers
|
|
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2009, 06:15:45 PM » |
|
Thats pretty funny. That looks awesome. Did you do the bottom of the forks also? Hard to tell in the picture?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
|
|
« Reply #13 on: December 08, 2009, 05:14:03 AM » |
|
Yes, they look about the same as the top
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Troy, MI |
|
|
|
larryh0841
|
|
« Reply #14 on: December 08, 2009, 05:53:48 AM » |
|
The aircraft paint remover works great and does not harm the aluminum. It is available at auto supply stores.
Larry
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
|
|
« Reply #15 on: December 08, 2009, 06:33:14 AM » |
|
The aircraft paint remover works great and does not harm the aluminum. It is available at auto supply stores.
Larry
Thanks, good to know that. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Troy, MI |
|
|
|
