Topic: fork tube travel info

[millerza]

Anyone know how much the fork tube travels into the lower piece during road use. Im wanting to know because I would like to remove the chrome(as much as I can). 78 750k

[millerza]

To clarify, I want the tubes to look brushed instead of chrome, but im guessing removing(blasting to rough) all the chrome would not seal well.

[Nikkisixx]

 
Put a zip tie on the tube just above the slider and ride around for a bit.  That will show you how much your slider typically travels. 

[millerza]

lol....that would require me to completely rebuild my bike. 

[Nikkisixx]

The sliders on my '78 750K traveled about 4 inches - measured using the method I described ^
Others claim as much as 6, your results may vary. 

BTW: That is not just chrome on the tubes, but hard chrome (industrial use not for pretty) .
http://www.nmfrc.org/crarchive/Mar02e.cfm

[Kong]

Can I ask you something?  I don't know how you plan to remove the chrome, and in particular I don't know how you plan to remove just the chrome for the distance, but those aren't the questions.  The question is this, if you are pretty sure bringing them to the texture you want will cause your seals to fail - which is correct - then why on earth would you want to do it?

[millerza]

aesthetics only, however I dont "plan" on touching the chrome where it contacts the seal. I will tape off what I dont plan on touching and media blast the rest, then give it a brushed look. And probably PC clear the rough.
If I have a brushed slider(lower) Im thinking I won't like the look of a chrome tube(upper). 

[lone*X]

Why not just add a set of fork gaiters?

[Roach Carver]

Here is my area of question/ concern. If you do it this way you will have a tube with exposed chrome about half way up and totally visible, then a line where you start the dulled/brushed finish. May look weird....

[flybox1]

Here is my area of question/ concern. If you do it this way you will have a tube with exposed chrome about half way up and totally visible, then a line where you start the dulled/brushed finish. May look weird....

weird is right! leave it or put gaiters on.  not really safe either.
but if you must, you better get your 'taped' area right, 'cause lets mention the day when you come across that cager and have to brake hard, diving past your taped line, hoping to prevent a wreck, blow a seal and fork oil all over you as you bottom out, and lose handling....

...but dont let me dissuade you 

[scunny]

+1 for the gaitors