Front Forks Clean-up

OK, I'm contemplating adding to my to do list as I'm mid-way through replacing the steering bearings and a few other things and waiting for parts.

While I have the forks off I'm thinking of cleaning up the fork lowers, they are pretty ugly. Not looking to get to showroom or anything too shiny, just presentable.

A nice satin finish would be fine. Any better suggestions than this write up?

http://kawtriple.com/mraxl/tips/forkres ... ration.htm

I was thinking of going with paint stripper (vs blasting) and skipping the clear coat at the end.

 

I stripped and sanded my fork lowers before polishing them with buffing wheels and jewelers rouges.

Sanding them out for polishing was performed with a pneumatic D/A. Air powered "Dual-action" sander makes the pre-polishing prep with 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 quick and easy!

 

Sounds like a plan. Virtually all of the "polished" alloy on my bikes has been stripped, sanded/polished; and then just kept shiny with the occasional polishing.

Aircraft Paint Remover works better than any other method for completely removing the original clear coat.

 

+1 on the aircraft paint remover. I had to special order it at an automotive store (can't remember which one) & the spray can is expensive but well worth it. FYI you don't wanna touch it with your bare hands.

 

Awesome, thanks. I'll give it a shot this weekend.