my fork lowers are looking shabby

has anyone got any suggestions on how to clean up the lower fork legs on my 99 sv as the winter weather has left them looking worse for wear

powdercoating is the best way... other than that polishing and alot of elbow grease

Originally Posted by Iansv

alot of elbox grease

Available in tins.

Dazz, just painted mine with 4 coats of smooth silver hammerite. Etch primed them first tho. Look pretty OK so far.

[Red ones]

I got mine professionally polished. Sorry I don't know the price as it was a good will job, but the result is staggering. A mirror like finish.

Just have to keep using a metal polish on them now

Hi,
I have sorted mine and took advice from other members when this topic was kicking around a couple of weeks ago......
Its lacquer that chips and looks a real mess. I had to sort it as your eye goes straight to it and spoils to look of the bike.
Start by removing the cable clip on the top of the front fender that carries a cable. Use WD40 to lube it, then a pair of thin nosed pliers to prise it apart - it does come out eventually even though you’re expecting it to break - mine didn’t but try not to damage the paint on the top of the fender.
Then remove the fender undoing the 4 bolts - 2 each side. Note that the brackets on the back of the bolts have an arrow on them that point forward when you reassemble.
That’ll will give you free 360 degree access to the forks.
I started with a scotchbrite pad (used wet) to remove the lacquer down to the metal. Then use wet n dry (240 down to 1200 grit (USE IT WET)) to slowly get rid of any scratches you might create. (obviously use the finest last - sorry if I’m telling you to suck eggs !!!). Get the wet N dry from Halfords - 1 pack will be loads.
I then used ordinary T cut and polished it off before applying a couple of coats of auto metal polish.
Do one at a time - the second one will take a fraction of the time the first took as you’ll develop a technique and learn what works.
It looks a bit drastic at first and a real mess and you’ll wonder why you bothered.....but crack on with the elbow grease (no power tool will asssit) and it will be worth while.
Each one should take just over an hour - but they come up like mirrors and are well worth doing..........Cheers