Pitted forks - how bad are these?

[Jamieg285]

Just been to look at a potential purchase.  Overall not too bad, but the biggest concern are the upper forks.  As you can see in these pics(n.b. the pictures don't really do them justice, they look rougher in real life.), the uppers are pitting quite badly.  It is well above the travel, so won't affect the seals, however, how quickly are these likely to deteriorate?  Is this something that should be a reason not to buy the bike?








On a related note, would the uppers from my boxeye swap directly with these?

[Hedgetrimmer]

The pitting looks like it might be above where the seals get to on full compression. If the seals were travelling over it, they'd soon start to leak, and it wouldn't be worth replacing the seals, as they'd just leak every time.

Hard to tell from the pics, but there could be some scoring there further down too - might be just marks that will polish off?. Me, I'd soldier on until you actually start to get a leak, but might be wise to source a better pair of stanchions in the meantime. I think some firms will do re-plating (sorry, don't know of any off the top of my head nowadays), but could be quite pricey.

Once you get pitting like that, rust will quickly get a hold though, unless you can clean it up a bit, maybe apply some ACF50 to hold it back for a while.

[Fazerider]

It depends what caused the damage to the chrome... is it split and flaking because the bike's had an accident in which the forks were bent and have then been straightened?

[slimwilly]

It just looks very very old

[fazersharp]

It depends what caused the damage to the chrome... is it split and flaking because the bike's had an accident in which the forks were bent and have then been straightened?

When you said pitted I wasnt expecting that !, as fazerider said has it had an accident and been straightend, thos look elongated and the only pitting I have ever seen and never on a fazer was exactly that "pitts" small holes not like what you are showing and also much lower -- isnt that part partly protected by the fairing. Funny both sides near to the clamps

[red98]

Can be mot fail if pitted lower down where the seal works, I would leave as is until the mot man says no or the seals start to leak.good haggling point to get a few quid off   .....can be re-plated.iam not as old as nick so can recommend two companies .first is philpots in luton.right on your doorstep if I remember correctly, the other is "all bike engineering" on the south side of blackwall tunnel , £80ish per fork leg   

[Punkstig]

You can swap the forks from your boxeye - they're exactly the same, as red says use this pitting as a bargaining point, aim for £150

You can swap out the fork tops allowing you to adjust preload on your old forks!

[stevie-g1968]

http://www.pittedforks.co.uk/    I have a pair of forks sat in my garage waiting to be sent oof, I picked up a good pair off fleabay for £100 .

[Jamieg285]

Interesting that you suggest accident damage at the the front.  I didn't think much of it at the time, but it's had a new radiator fitted and the exhaust is freshly painted with new fittings.

I think I will pass on this one. I'm sure there is better out there.

[risticuss]

You guys have got me worried now... my fork legs are both looking like that (the second pic anyway). I don't think mine are bent/restraightened just poorly maintained by one of the last 7 owners. 

[crickleymal]

It looks like that right hand fork clamp has been belted by something too.

[fazersharp]

And the brake pipe banjo bolt. Its all adding up to being in a crash, has the fairing/tank got decals on it

[sinto]

Other reason for not buying it, although I don't think you need anymore as you've probably made up your mind now not to


At least it'd of been a slow speed accident as it's blue, so it'll be way too slow