Front fork stanchions repair/refurb thread - SV650.org

muzikill · 20-04-11, 08:56 AM

Here they are, they were covered in rust spots but i cleaned them up using a light scourer and autosol. Ive posted the both sides the first pic (the right one looking as if sitting on the bike) is the one that 'may' have a torn seal. I say may as i push the front suspension down and back up there are signs on fork oil around the base of the stanchion but only slight. The left side fork doesnt have any problems apart from the same 'look' as the right after clean up. I expect more work is necessary as these 'nicks' will only rip the fork seals already there or if they were replaced again! Ive looked around on the net and i know that new stanchions will be around £200 for the pair

- It pays to look after you front suspension btw...

I can still feel 'nicks' on the stanchions and i am looking for more advice on how to clear up this matter as i dont know how this is going to affect it when it goes in for its mot.

mikerj · 20-04-11, 10:11 AM

If it is pitted in the swept area of the stanchion then the seals will last no time at all. It is possible to bodge things by using fine wet and dry to remove any high spots and then fill the pits with epoxy and smooth down again afterwards. It's very time consuming if there are lots of small pits though, and it's not a permanent repair IME.

andrewsmith · 20-04-11, 10:16 AM

I think someone has looked into hard annodization recently for similar reasons.
I can't find the thread, but someone will be able to point you

20-04-11, 10:42 AM

The best/only way to repair them is to have then ground and hard chrome plated. Look at the back of any motorcycle publication and you should find a number. Had my Velocette forks done about 25 years ago and they are still like new. not cheap but better than replacements. One such Place is http://forkrechroming.4t.com/ but look ant phone round for the best place and price.

yorkie_chris · 20-04-11, 05:20 PM

Hit them with 1200 emery and plenty silicone lube, make sure you get all the abrasive off when you're done.

muzikill · 20-04-11, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Hit them with 1200 emery and plenty silicone lube, make sure you get all the abrasive off when you're done.

I take it the silicon lube is used along with the emery? I also used fine steel wool but those nicks were still there . .

yorkie_chris · 20-04-11, 05:47 PM

Yes. Go around tube, the fine scratches you leave will hold an oil film.

muzikill · 21-04-11, 06:23 PM

Got the stuff today bud, will give it a whirl tomorrow! - i will let you know. once again ta for the advice!

muzikill · 21-04-11, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmshed

The best/only way to repair them is to have then ground and hard chrome plated. Look at the back of any motorcycle publication and you should find a number. Had my Velocette forks done about 25 years ago and they are still like new. not cheap but better than replacements. One such Place is http://forkrechroming.4t.com/ but look ant phone round for the best place and price.

Maybe you should read the wording on that ad! - certainly wouldnt be using them.

Spanner Man · 21-04-11, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzikill

Maybe you should read the wording on that ad! - certainly wouldnt be using them.

Good evening all.

When I was up on that neck of the woods, I used their services on several occasions. They were very good.
Rather than rechroming, I prefer to use ABE stanchions. They're excellent! What's more, they're hard chromed too. Reckon on around £90 each.

ABE can be contacted on; 020 8858 9052.

Cheers.

P.S. I like the tongue in cheek advertising the Northern lot use. I would have thought the Cowboy would have given it away

20-04-11, 08:56 AM	#1
muzikill Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dunfermline Posts: 1,712	Front fork stanchions repair/refurb thread Here they are, they were covered in rust spots but i cleaned them up using a light scourer and autosol. Ive posted the both sides the first pic (the right one looking as if sitting on the bike) is the one that 'may' have a torn seal. I say may as i push the front suspension down and back up there are signs on fork oil around the base of the stanchion but only slight. The left side fork doesnt have any problems apart from the same 'look' as the right after clean up. I expect more work is necessary as these 'nicks' will only rip the fork seals already there or if they were replaced again! Ive looked around on the net and i know that new stanchions will be around £200 for the pair - It pays to look after you front suspension btw... I can still feel 'nicks' on the stanchions and i am looking for more advice on how to clear up this matter as i dont know how this is going to affect it when it goes in for its mot. __________________ Learn to maintain your bike, take it apart, rebuild the engine & more (using better bolts ), drop it & fix it again! K3 Job c.v: Engine:remove/split/rebuild/refit. Replace:Gearbox,Fuel pump,Gaskets. Piston clean,rings. Overhaul:Throttle body,Injectors,Brakes,Forks. Remove/refit:Exhaust,Radiator,Oil cooler,Throttle,Air filter,Tank. Replace: Oil,Coolant,grease,brake hoses & bleed. Last edited by muzikill; 20-04-11 at 09:00 AM.

20-04-11, 10:11 AM	#2
mikerj Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 876	Re: Front fork stanchions repair/refurb thread If it is pitted in the swept area of the stanchion then the seals will last no time at all. It is possible to bodge things by using fine wet and dry to remove any high spots and then fill the pits with epoxy and smooth down again afterwards. It's very time consuming if there are lots of small pits though, and it's not a permanent repair IME.

20-04-11, 10:16 AM	#3
andrewsmith Member Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Just south of salad dodging country Posts: 7,750	Re: Front fork stanchions repair/refurb thread I think someone has looked into hard annodization recently for similar reasons. I can't find the thread, but someone will be able to point you __________________ RIP Reeder 20/07/1988 - 21/03/2012. Always missed squire!!! Every year we meet old friends, gain some new ones, lose old ones and you always remember them all. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi

20-04-11, 10:42 AM	#4
warmshed Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Front fork stanchions repair/refurb thread The best/only way to repair them is to have then ground and hard chrome plated. Look at the back of any motorcycle publication and you should find a number. Had my Velocette forks done about 25 years ago and they are still like new. not cheap but better than replacements. One such Place is http://forkrechroming.4t.com/ but look ant phone round for the best place and price.

20-04-11, 05:20 PM	#5
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Front fork stanchions repair/refurb thread Hit them with 1200 emery and plenty silicone lube, make sure you get all the abrasive off when you're done. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

20-04-11, 05:47 PM	#7
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Front fork stanchions repair/refurb thread Yes. Go around tube, the fine scratches you leave will hold an oil film. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

21-04-11, 06:23 PM	#8
muzikill Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dunfermline Posts: 1,712	Re: Front fork stanchions repair/refurb thread Got the stuff today bud, will give it a whirl tomorrow! - i will let you know. once again ta for the advice! __________________ Learn to maintain your bike, take it apart, rebuild the engine & more (using better bolts ), drop it & fix it again! K3 Job c.v: Engine:remove/split/rebuild/refit. Replace:Gearbox,Fuel pump,Gaskets. Piston clean,rings. Overhaul:Throttle body,Injectors,Brakes,Forks. Remove/refit:Exhaust,Radiator,Oil cooler,Throttle,Air filter,Tank. Replace: Oil,Coolant,grease,brake hoses & bleed.

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