Where's the best place to get my forks powder coated?

[Suzukihaggis]

Help!

Newby here, I'm trying to sell my SV650S (wife's making me do it, due to our son being born 10 weeks ago!!)

I've had a couple of people look at the bike and have been put off by the corrosion on the forks.

I though about buying new ones but powder coating sounds like the cheapest option (plus the wife might let me keep the bike if I can't sell it soon, here's hoping!), can anyone suggest where to get it done or is it even a DIY job?

Sorry if posting this in this particular forum is not the best thing to do but thought locals would have the best advice on this one.

Anyway thanks in advance.

[GDBD59]

Hi 'Haggis,

Northwind got his done in 2004 in Edinburgh I think, so he'll be able to advise on where. Pretty sure you have to completely strip them though, not something I'd want to do if I was going to flog it straight after.

Most of the lacquer on mine was removed by previous owner just by using metal polish, I believe. Mine look fine because the alloy can be polished, & it's not a 'winter' bike.
Yours sound pretty bad.
If it was me, I'd try paint stripper on them & then wet n' dry on them & then metal polish. If you have an electric drill & some attachments it might make it quicker.

Try searching the forums (new & old), this has bound to have been discussed.
Good luck!!

[northwind]

I got mine done by BBS, i've heard they might have closed down now, but they did first class work on a superfast turnaround.

[Roy650s]

I got mine done here:

Premier Industrial PaintingUnit 10c, Newbattle Abbey College Annexe, Newbattle Rd, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 3LJ Tel: 0131 660 9699

Excellent results and I think it only cost about £25 -£30.

[carelesschucca]

I got my front wheel done at ESP Powder coating in Glasgow they did a great job, but some idiot (me) put the wrong cleaning stuff on it and ruined a great job...

[Cronos]

I got my front wheel done at ESP Powder coating in Glasgow they did a great job, but some idiot (me) put the wrong cleaning stuff on it and ruined a great job...

Would that be the same stuf you put on your Goretex boots?!!! :? :lol:

I can see a pattern emerging here! #-o

[Suzukihaggis]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Spoke to Alvins today who put me in touch with Viper Paints in Leith.

The guy at Viper said it would take approx. 1 week and cost £80.

Does that sound OK?

Also spoke to my bro'-in-law (a mechanic) who wants to do the DIY wet'n'dry and silver paint (can tell it's not on his GSXR), not too confident but surely can't make them any worse!

Any tips on what to do on the wet’n’dry front?

[GDBD59]

Your mechanic should know about the wet n' dry haggis & he'll be able to judge better than us 'cos he's seen them. Because it's a soft alloy it's pretty easy to work on & to polish up. Try a small area that's not seen & see how good you can get it.

[northwind]

It took BBS one evening, and cost me £25 for both forks and a torque arm in gloss black... Some finishes are more expensive though. £80 seems well off the beam.

[Blue Flame]

Got my forks powder coated for free yesterday........




.........with SALT :evil:

[Suzukihaggis]

Northwind

I tried BBS (is that the place on Robbie Ave?, it's the only BBS in the yellow pages), there was a recorded message advising of a new number, called that and it was a fax number. Obviously not too interested in my trade, so I'll try the place in Dalkeith that Roy650s recommended. Hopefully it's only £30-40, Christ I could have gone to Viper and been easily ripped off (based on their over the phone quote!!).

Once again many thanks to all for all the help and hopefully it'll save me quite a few quid in the end!

[northwind]

Aye, I'd heard they might have closed down... Ah well. I'll try and look them up when i'm getting my wheels done, still.