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View Full Version : Polishing forks - how?

hongman
09-07-10, 05:05 PM
Quick question...

Can I apply autosol + polishing drill bit directly to Curvy forks?

How well do they come up?

As mine look furred and has corrosion in some places I was going to give them a shine and ACF50 it.
maviczap
09-07-10, 05:30 PM
I used some Nitromors to strip any laquer off, but none came off, so I don't think there's much on there.

Yep, most of the fork polishes up real nice
Lissa
09-07-10, 05:35 PM
This thread may help. :D

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=75065&highlight=polishing
hongman
09-07-10, 05:40 PM
ooo shiny shiny
toby_smith
09-07-10, 08:42 PM
ooo shiny shiny

I just done mine. There was a few bits that didnt come up super good but I'm planning on taking the forks out and doing them properly over winter.

For some reason the left hand side was alot harder work but has come up alot nicer. The other side is going to require some even more elbow grease and maybe the wet and dry paper treatment.

I used solvo autsol and it did a cracking job.

No pics though sorry
DarrenSV650S
09-07-10, 09:01 PM
Does anyone know if you can polish USD gold gixxer forks?
TamSV
09-07-10, 10:36 PM
Does anyone know if you can polish USD gold gixxer forks?

What are you wanting to do? Clean them up or lose the gold altogether?
DarrenSV650S
09-07-10, 10:41 PM
They're clean enough. I want them silver instead of gold
TamSV
09-07-10, 11:15 PM
I take it that's an anodised finish? You should be able to sand through it but I reckon it'll take a bloody long time. It's a lot tougher than paint.
Unless you fancy rigging up an acid bath?:-k
Oven cleaner works if you're VERY careful and don't leave it on too long.
I've used it on very small parts before - never anything as big as forks. It involves some nasty chemical reactions so care is needed.

Now, you're starting to like that gold again aren't you?
DarrenSV650S
09-07-10, 11:18 PM
Yeh it's anodised. I might give it a try over winter. Wonder if S Doc 100 would work
TamSV
09-07-10, 11:27 PM
I suppose once you've got the forks off you could work on the wee areas hidden by the yokes and see if you can get the finish you're after. Don't know about S Doc 100 - whether it will work or even what it is.:)
DarrenSV650S
09-07-10, 11:33 PM
It's for cleaning engines. It's quite powerful, especially on alloy
Big Daft Lad
10-07-10, 02:31 PM
They're clean enough. I want them silver instead of gold

Fine wet and dry paper took the pink anodising off a set of Renthal bars that came on my old Bandit no problem. Might take a while though, so a winter/rainy weekend project I think.
WeegieBlue
07-09-10, 08:13 PM
Is it easy to polish the forks up with them still on the bike?
maviczap
07-09-10, 08:15 PM
Make it easier for yourself by taking off the wheel, mudguard and brakes
WeegieBlue
07-09-10, 08:29 PM
Make it easier for yourself by taking off the wheel, mudguard and brakes

I don't have any paddock stands just now so might be a bit awkward. Maybe I'll just wait until I have a stand. My forks look rank though. If I'm polishing them up I may as well change the springs and oil too.
maviczap
07-09-10, 08:36 PM
It is much easier with them off the bike, especially as you're planning doing those other jobs.

Do it all at once
WeegieBlue
07-09-10, 08:38 PM
I wasn't planning on doing the forks and springs, but since I'll have it all off I'm thinking I may as well do that too!
zadar
08-09-10, 08:41 AM
Gsxr tubes are hard to get anodizing off because surface is not smooth everywhere. It is smooth under clamps but rest is like thread.
yorkie_chris
08-09-10, 09:29 AM
Maybe easier to strip them and polish in lathe
Owenski
08-09-10, 11:24 AM
strip them then paint in Pj1
did that on Roberrrts SV and 6months on they still look mint, I shall be doing it to mine shortly as the over all effect is exactly like the pointy black swingarm.
maviczap
08-09-10, 11:29 AM
Gsxr tubes are hard to get anodizing off because surface is not smooth everywhere. It is smooth under clamps but rest is like thread.

Yes I found this out, but managed to polish them ok.
maviczap
08-09-10, 11:30 AM
Maybe easier to strip them and polish in lathe

Yep - except I don't have a lathe :(

Dear Santa I would like.................................... :cool:
speedyandypandy
21-08-12, 09:09 PM
Don't know what metal they are made off...Is it possible to de-anodize forks? I know you could if they where aluminium/alloy.
Bibio
21-08-12, 09:39 PM
They're clean enough. I want them silver instead of gold

its called a lathe and some scotchbrite :-)