Shoddy fork lowers

[Mjhb]

Hi,

Due to collect my 98 600 next week and the fork lowers have seen better days ... and are quite heavily corroded with that white flaky stuff (technical term).

What do people use to tidy them up ? I've had a look on the internet & YouTube but the seem to be adverts for American products in the main.

Having them professionally redone isn't worth it financially at the mo.

Any hints, tips, and advice greatfully received ! ??

Many thanks,

Matt

[fazersharp]

The first few years of FZS 600s are alloy with a lacquer on them which gets stone chipped and then the alloy underneath corrodes with white which means that you can see white corrosion spread around the chip hole but you can not clean it off because it is under the clear lacquer so the forks get covered in white scabs like this
[img height=792 width=528]http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=16481.0;attach=17073;image[/img]

The only answer is to strip it all off and redo the laquer but it will just happen again, I personally dont like the look of silver paint as it never looks as good as the brushed alloy even with chips. As the picture I have just left mine as they are.

[darrsi]

Paint stripper > wet n dry > silver wheel spray > spray lacquer > sorted!

[jimjenko]

400 then 600 then 1000 grit wet and dry, then autosol

Took about 4 hours though

[Mjhb]

Thanks guys, very helpful.

[Mjhb]

Good job JimJenko ! Four hours per fork, or four in total ? Clearly a labour of love ??

[bikemad]

Sprayed mine with matt black engine paint & baked it on with my space heater been perfect since ?

[Disorderlypunk]

lightly sandblasted then hammerite smooth

[fazersharp]

400 then 600 then 1000 grit wet and dry, then autosol

Took about 4 hours though

BEAUTIFUL !

[joebloggs]

Strip them and have them powder coated

[bikemad]

Matt black looks superb ?

[jimjenko]

Good job JimJenko ! Four hours per fork, or four in total ? Clearly a labour of love ??

4 hours total for them both, after 19 years she deserves it!

Cheers guys

[Frosties]

[quote author=Mjhb link=topic=22530.msg260232#msg260232 date=1494341366]
Good job JimJenko ! Four hours per fork, or four in total ? Clearly a labour of love ??

4 hours total for them both, after 19 years she deserves it!

Cheers guys
[/quote]


4 hours for a result like that. Reckon you've set a new benchmark fella. Top job, they look great  :thumbup

[fazersharp]

[quote author=jimjenko link=topic=22530.msg260308#msg260308 date=1494432566]
[quote author=Mjhb link=topic=22530.msg260232#msg260232 date=1494341366]
Good job JimJenko ! Four hours per fork, or four in total ? Clearly a labour of love ??

4 hours total for them both, after 19 years she deserves it!

Cheers guys
[/quote]


4 hours for a result like that. Reckon you've set a new benchmark fella. Top job, they look great  :thumbup
[/quote]
Hes got a strong right wrist 

[Jamieg285]

They do look good, but my concern is how long will they stay that way?  I've seen similar on polished alloy wheels, once you've started polishing you have to keep re-doing it as the surface is now bare and open to corrosion again.

I'd consider painting them, or at least applying a decent 2K clear coat to protect them if it was me.

[jimjenko]

They do look good, but my concern is how long will they stay that way?  I've seen similar on polished alloy wheels, once you've started polishing you have to keep re-doing it as the surface is now bare and open to corrosion again.

I'd consider painting them, or at least applying a decent 2K clear coat to protect them if it was me.

After 19 years and 53k miles they were in a similar condition to fazersharps before i polished them. I thought about clear coat, but it would mean i couldn't polish them up every now and then. Gonna see how they hold up for now


And yup, my right arm is a good half inch bigger than the left Wasted youth finally paid off