Topic: Ideas on cleaning up old fork tubes

[dergs713]

I need some help cleanin up some fork tubes on my cb550 and cb500.  Any tricks on doing so..? What do you guys use to make them shine.  Mine are not too bad, was thinking an SOS pad and some polishing compound.  Anyone have any success cleaning there's?
Matt

[grcamna2]

I've used a small size SS wire brush..a "detail brush" that welders use and just cleaned off as much rust as I  could w/ that;if the part that is corroded is where the fork seals ride up & down...well, I would either replace the fork tubes or use a very small little square of fine emery cloth and then with the edge of my fingernail try to very lightly soften a few of the sharp edges on the most jagged nicks so they won't cut up you're new fork seals, but don't go too deep,you don't want to sand through the outer plating that protects you're fork tubes. How do you're forks look ?

[AbbyRider]

I use steel wool starting off with #1 then going to #0 and then #00. Then I use Blue Magic. This process is a bit less laborious than using sequential grades of polishing compounds, and doesn't give quite the same finish. More "road" quality than "show".

[apex_seeking]

I used the wire wheel to clean up under the ears and a little polishing compound. They didn't look great but they weren't rusty. That only lasted a few months of riding and it was back to square one. In the end, I ordered new tubes from cycle x and wish I had done it earlier.

[Doctorlumen]

I think the cheapest replacement tubes I have found on the web are from Forks by Frank.

As far as cleaning, Apex is right about the returning to square one bit. But, try one of those soap-filled SOS or Brillo pads and hot water. Those bad boys will remove the little rusty burrs pretty well. While you have them off the bike, be sure to hit the triple clamps as well. That metal-to-metal contact patch needs to be rust free. Then maybe finish up with a spritz of crystal clear or the like. I'm always surprised what a small paint barrier will do to stay off the inevitable rust spots.

Good luck!

[754]

 I would NOT use SOS or Brillo, they have lapping compounds and will scour chrome.. plain clean steel wool will clean chrome or steel with no damage. Vinegar will eat the rust off, takes a few days..

[BobbyR]

Fork tubes cannot have any pits or scratches in the area that goes throgh the seal. If you can feel it with your fingernail it will cause a leak. If you reduce them to something that can barely be felt, you can fill the imperfection(s) with crazy glue and polish the repair flush.