Vinyl wrapping fork legs to protect them?
 

SVs are well known for getting a lot of corrosion on the fork legs, particularly at the base near the axel. The newer SVs also have black fork legs as opposed to the silver that was standard in earlier years.

I have therefore decided that while I am rebuilding the forks I am going to wrap the legs in this vinyl both to protect them from weathering and to make them look a bit more modern (I’m lusting after upside downs).

Is there any particular reason I should not do this? Any thoughts?

Thanks guys!

Re: Vinyl wrapping fork legs to protect them?
 

To wrap the fork legs should be an interesting thing. Its not the easiest shape and is also textured, so the vinyl may not stick. If it was me and i was going for a fork rebuild, then get the legs powder coated.

Still anything is worth a try :)

Re: Vinyl wrapping fork legs to protect them?
 

Gotta be worth a try.

Re: Vinyl wrapping fork legs to protect them?
 

If you can find some silver heatshrink in a big enough diameter to wrap the entire fork lower, i'd do it that way. Cut out what bits you need where bolts go etc, and it's pretty tough stuff. Will stand up to gravel and other impacts pretty well.
To remove, 5 mins with a stanley knife and some precision. I wouldn't use the glue lined stuff though as it'll never come off.

These guys do large OD heatshrink in a variety of colours. Might be worth a look
http://www.hilltop-products.co.uk/he...l#.VYkReEb0_3g

Re: Vinyl wrapping fork legs to protect them?
 

Thanks guys, I shall report back with pics.

Re: Vinyl wrapping fork legs to protect them?
 

I am keen to see the pics from this!

Re: Vinyl wrapping fork legs to protect them?
 

Dare I say to try Plasti-dip.

Haven't the foggiest how it would hold up or if there would be any problems or down sides just thinking out loud.

Think Fallout used it on the tail section of his Gixxer for a while.

J

Re: Vinyl wrapping fork legs to protect them?
 

It wouldnt hold up, its useless. I hate it haha.

I did the entire bike, the nose cone had stone chips in weeks

Re: Vinyl wrapping fork legs to protect them?
 

Any updates? We all suffer with the same affliction, so is there a cure? Pictures please.
The bodger in me says Hammerite, though it's probably more desirable to powder coat and clear lacquer the legs rather than anything I would do.

Re: Vinyl wrapping fork legs to protect them?
 

I painted mine in situ yesterday minus the brakes and wheel in place, much better now.

Before:

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...71&oe=56583C75

During:

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...1a&oe=565C134C

After:

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...f2&oe=561092A8

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...e2&oe=56168BB6

Rubbed down lightly to remove all the flaky crap & to give the filler primer a key & then painted with alloy wheel paint with a laquer on top - these pics were after a rainy commute to work.