Looking to clean up the forks
 

after seeing that sv restorer, decided over the summer i might do a few bits and bobs like giving the forks a sand and polish etc. Obviously i'll need paddock stands to get the front wheel off or whatever, would this be any good?

http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=901466

i know people say is it worth having your bike fall off at the cost of an extra bit of money, but i am definately looking for budget here (student desperately looking for summer work!)

Draper

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

the only thing about using one of those front stands is you wont be able to move the forks while youre trying to polish them. I normally just give my forks a rub down with wet and dry paper then a quick spray over with some silver or black paint (depends what i've got in the garage) and it makes it easier to do if you and turn the fork lowers around as you're working on them

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

but they should do the job? just abit dubious about the price, considering its a pair

what paint do you use for the forks then? was thinking about just polishing them up proper

cheers,

Draper

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

Yeah they'll probably be ok for the job, 1st time i did the forks i had it on a rear paddock stand and then a jack under the engine but it was rather unstable. I normally just us e the halfords spray cans and then some spray lacquer over the top. Only problem with that is they pretty much need doing after every winter as spray can lacquer is rather soft. The polished forks do look good but I'm far to lazy to keep them looking all shiney.

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

thanks for the info dirtydog, i'll get ordering some stands and then get cracking on the bike in a few weeks

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

You don't need a stand to get the forks out. A jack or a couple of blocks of wood do the trick fine.

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

Iv just done the wet and dry and polish with autosol method and it looks a million time better i didnt take the wheel off it was just a quick job to see how it looks i'll post up pics soon - am going to do a proper job and take the wheel off etc probs just put rope through the frame and put the bike on the rear paddock stand tie it to a rafter in my garage and do it that way.

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

You can just lift the weight on to sidestand and back wheel to get the forks out, tis the simplest way.

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

do i need to get the forks out?

i was just gonna get wheel out the way so could polish easier... or am i missing something here (self confessed eejit)

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

No... but you can still just use a trolley jack to do that rather than paddock stands

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

I would say to having to drop the forks out but it may be easier to sort them if they're of the bike

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

i dont have a jack... so would it be more worthwhile getting one of those over paddock stands at 30 quid?

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

I did my forks in the living room off the bike...they were awkward, kept rollling around and stuff, wish they'd been on the bike to polish but then I couldn't have got in all the nooks and crannies......but they is done now...sigh.....now to the other set that I've to do, and the Raptor peg hangers....and painting a cylinder head, grrrrrrrrr

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

you could always add mine to that list ? :riding:

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

I've borrowed a headstock lift to do mine. IMO it's best to leave the forks in the bike. As dizzy said, rolling around wiv yer forks can be a pain..

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO:grin: Its not that i like polishing stuff:cool: honest!

Re: Looking to clean up the forks
 

well give us a shout if your preferences change, would save me a day or two lol!