Re: Anodising / Anodizing

Afternoon Y`all

I hope this is in the right section

Has anyone had any bike parts anodized? if so by who? and what was it? I have a pair of fork legs i want to get anodized but figured i`d ask on here 1st. does anyone know of anywhere that is good?

Thankyou

Rgds

[rictus01]

yeah I've anodised a couple of top yokes and a few other bits, can't really help as I done it myself, a friend had a mate in an industrial unit next to his, unfortunately he's no longer with us.

However a few things the cleaning is critical as a first stage and the depth of colour is in proportion to the amount of time it's in the tank, the M&P shiny stuff is only in for an hour or so, I wanted a deep antique gold and it took 2 days, obviously this will add to the expense so don't just go on price ask to see examples of their work.

HTH

Cheers Mark.

[rictus01]

Oh and a decent job doesn't really fade that much, one of the top yokes has been sitting in all weathers for 6 years and still looks good.

[yorkie_chris]

I think you would struggle with fork legs since they are cast. Most stuff you see in ano finish is machined/other clean surface.

[embee]

Castings are no problem in principle, one car manufacturer I worked for anodised all alum engine castings as a matter of course. I imagine it will depend on preparation, also you don't really want the inside surface of fork sliders anodised so it will need masking somehow, the anodisers will advise. Also, if I remember correctly, it grows the surface slighly, can't recall by how much, but needs to be borne in mind with things like spindle bores and threads etc.

[yorkie_chris]

Like couple of tenths, I don't think it would matter with threads there.
N.B I take no responsibility if it does, worst case thread is a bit tight or you have to run a tap through.

Was that to prevent corrosion? Did it look pretty which is what I think OP is after.

[embee]

I think you're right YC about the growth, and it is highly unlikely to be an issue in practice.

The engine castings were "natural" anodised, just looks a pale grey matt finish on cast cyl heads. It was done for corrosion protection, very much an overkill as was an awful lot on those engines (RR 6.75L), things like all the block threads were helicoiled as standard, the cyl head studs came in 3 thread grades (I think) to get the correct interference fit so they were tight, tappets were a graded fit in the tappet blocks, loads of stuff like that, all very OTT.