Author Topic: how forked am i? (Read 2593 times)

c(b)hris · « **on:** February 15, 2011, 01:22:19 PM »

Would you replace these forks?

Here's how they came off:

Here's after 3 weeks in vinegar and 10 minutes with steel wool:

This is the worst of it:

It's like this pretty much the whole way around:

This is all on the top of the forks. Bottom is perfect.
Thx

GammaFlat · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2011, 01:27:38 PM »

I'm still wondering how you got them out.

I'd use them. I'd bet others here wouldn't.

Duanob · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2011, 01:28:49 PM »

No big deal. unless the seal slides over the pitted area I would you have no problem. That portion of the fork is inside the triple tree and head light ears and won't even be seen. As long as the lower portion is smooth you're good to go.

c(b)hris · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2011, 01:29:50 PM »

Quote

I'm still wondering how you got them out. Shocked I'd use them. I'd bet others here wouldn't.

hua?

TwoTired · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2011, 01:36:47 PM »

They are ok. As long as you aren't planning any motocross jumps.

Since the plating is gone, you'll need to coat them with something to keep rust from reoccurring.
Phosphoric acid/metal prep, or some such.

A thicker more robust coating is better. But, getting them back into the triples is a challenge, then.

Cheers,

c(b)hris · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2011, 01:51:36 PM »

Quote

Since the plating is gone, you'll need to coat them with something to keep rust from reoccurring.
Phosphoric acid/metal prep, or some such.

everything I'm reading about phosphoric acid and metal only talks about removing rust. does it also coat it?

Would this do the job?
http://www.auto-ease.com/cgi/ppcart.pl?details&specials&1194997723&cleaners

Thanks in advance. Im completely clueless about this.

Shoeboxjoe · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2011, 02:13:24 PM »

Mine were worse than that and i reused them, they were still mint where the seals were. I sanded the rust, painted them with por15, and threw the stock fork ears on to hide them

c(b)hris · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2011, 02:20:07 PM »

cool, thanks a lot.

TwoTired · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2011, 03:05:19 PM »

Quote from: c(b)hris on February 15, 2011, 01:51:36 PM

Quote
Since the plating is gone, you'll need to coat them with something to keep rust from reoccurring.
Phosphoric acid/metal prep, or some such.

everything I'm reading about phosphoric acid and metal only talks about removing rust. does it also coat it?

Would this do the job?
http://www.auto-ease.com/cgi/ppcart.pl?details&specials&1194997723&cleaners

Thanks in advance. Im completely clueless about this.

What you want is a zinc phosphate coating. You're right, not all phosphoric acid products have the zinc in them. And recipes are not widely available.
http://www.clmcenterprises.com/specialty.htm
What you want is phosphoric acid / metal prep that leaves the phosphate coating. The process is self limiting, meaning it doesn't etch away any more metal than necessary to make the coating, and the coating actually blocks subsequent acid conversion of the base metal. This is especially nice on thin metal used for gas tanks.

The link you posted looks to be the product you need for the job, too. But, I have no direct experience with that brand.

Cheers,

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2011, 03:09:09 PM »

As long as they are not pitted at the part of the fork that goes past the oil seal I say use them. Like TT said you would want to probably get the upper parts cleaned and recoated.

bikerbart · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2011, 05:47:18 PM »

thats exactly what mine look like,they work fine,but they aint pretty.Eventually I will get new ones from cycle x but the wife needs new tires,the baby needs new shoes,my tranny on the truck needs work,etc etc.You younguns out there without kids,do it,do it now when you can,do everything,drive fast,take chances.because when you have kids,theres no $$$$ left for the fun stuff.Unless your rich of course.Wait,what were we talking about?

Anti-Johnny · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2011, 08:37:19 PM »

mine were much much worse at the top. I decided to not reuse the stock ears. I bought some chromed pipe from the bathroom section at home depot and cut them to fit between the trees. a lot prettier now.

bikerbart · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2011, 08:11:40 AM »

Very clever,I like it.

nhodges · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2011, 05:03:50 PM »

Mine looked like that too. cleaned them up and painted them with some rust neutralizer. I like the bathroom pipe to pretty em up, might have to do it too.

axehole54 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2011, 05:26:11 PM »

Quote from: Anti-Johnny on February 15, 2011, 08:37:19 PM

mine were much much worse at the top. I decided to not reuse the stock ears. I bought some chromed pipe from the bathroom section at home depot and cut them to fit between the trees. a lot prettier now.

I'll be battling ugly on my forks soon... how much was the pipe and do you have any pics?

Anti-Johnny · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2011, 05:44:08 PM »

It was about $15 for a couple lenths of pipe.I also rustproofed the fork tops with some spray.
I just cut them down and stuck them over the forks after putting them in the bottom tree. I dont have a picture handy of how rotten my forks are without them, but this is what it looks like just after getting it together.

make sure you use a rubber washer or soemthing in between the trees and the tubes though. I didnt and it squeaks and rattles. I wound some rubber bands up between them but its more than a bit annoying.
I also used those cheapo universal fork ears. They took some manipulating to get on. I wanted the solid aluminum ones, but Id have to get new forks first because mine look like rotten wood underneath the pipe.

its better to go with the fork caps instead of boots with this method. I had to cut a notch in mind and zip tie them. but now I know for next time.

axehole54 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2011, 05:50:47 PM »

Quote from: Anti-Johnny on February 16, 2011, 05:44:08 PM

It was about $15 for a couple lenths of pipe.I also rustproofed the fork tops with some spray.
I just cut them down and stuck them over the forks after putting them in the bottom tree. I dont have a picture handy of how rotten my forks are without them, but this is what it looks like just after getting it together.

make sure you use a rubber washer or soemthing in between the trees and the tubes though. I didnt and it squeaks and rattles. I wound some rubber bands up between them but its more than a bit annoying.
I also used those cheapo universal fork ears. They took some manipulating to get on. I wanted the solid aluminum ones, but Id have to get new forks first because mine look like rotten wood underneath the pipe.

its better to go with the fork caps instead of boots with this method. I had to cut a notch in mind and zip tie them. but now I know for next time.

looks pretty good

TwoTired · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2011, 05:51:30 PM »

Just a reminder...
Removing the rust doesn't keep it from further rust. Neither does covering it up with a chrome tube. You still need to treat the bare steel with a coating of some sort to keep those pits from getting deeper, and the more metal that is rusted away further weakens the tube.

Just saying.

About the picture, above. Doesn't the fender hit the headlight when the forks are compressed fully? Probably can fix that by inverting the headlight mounts.

Cheers,

Anti-Johnny · « **Reply #18 on:** February 16, 2011, 05:55:25 PM »

I used a jug of rust remover I got at harbor freight, soaked over night then coated them with rustoleum rust converter.

The headlight didnt stay in that position. this was just to see if the cheapy ears would fit.

Best action would of course get some new forks, especially in my case, as they have several sections with pretty large pits/almost holes...

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Author Topic: how forked am i? (Read 2593 times)