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Author Topic: Fork leg reconditioning  (Read 1452 times)

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Offline bkrdave

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Fork leg reconditioning
« on: April 04, 2012, 06:58:22 AM »
I'm in the disassembly phase of my restoration of a 75 CB400F and am considering what alternatives there are to fork legs that are pitted. I've smoothed them up as best I can but I'm not happy with the results. This may sound crazy but has anyone had fork legs chrome plated? I've been restoring cars for years now and I know platers can do wonders when it comes to restoring appearance but this involves not only appearance but returning it to the correct outside diameter.

Dave
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Offline Doctor_D

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Re: Fork leg reconditioning
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2012, 07:31:23 AM »
Yes, they can be re-chromed.  However, they have to be hard chromed, which can cost more than replacing them.

I'd suggest you give Forks by Frank a call.  They're reasonably priced and good quality. http://www.frankmain.qpg.com/
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David
___________________________________________
1975 CB 750F - Project page: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=66026.msg725479#msg725479
1978 CX500
1971 Norton Commando

Offline toytuff

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Re: Fork leg reconditioning
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2012, 07:38:55 AM »
I have had good luck with a guy in California but it takes a while to get them back.

He has done two (2) sets for me.

tt

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Offline toytuff

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Re: Fork leg reconditioning
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2012, 07:40:21 AM »
Before and after.

tt



« Last Edit: April 04, 2012, 07:48:32 AM by toytuff »
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Fork leg reconditioning
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2012, 11:09:10 AM »
I believe he's talking about fork tubes tt.

After hard chroming they will need to  be reground to the correct diameter as well.
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Offline toytuff

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Re: Fork leg reconditioning
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2012, 02:55:22 PM »
Quote from: LesterPiglet on April 04, 2012, 11:09:10 AM
I believe he's talking about fork tubes tt.

After hard chroming they will need to  be reground to the correct diameter as well.

SENIOR MOMENT!

 ::)

tt
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Offline MCRider

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Re: Fork leg reconditioning
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2012, 03:04:50 PM »
He did say fork leg, not fork tube. And I've seen plenty of pitted fork legs and some that have been chromed.

Need clarity from the OP.
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Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline MCRider

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Re: Fork leg reconditioning
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2012, 03:06:15 PM »
Assuming fork legs, they can be polished or chromed and shouldn't take but a day for the first and a week for the latter.
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Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline MCRider

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Re: Fork leg reconditioning
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2012, 03:07:45 PM »
Oh! Then he says Outside diameter, which would mean tubes, and we're back to Frank's.

Never mind.   :D
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Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline bkrdave

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Re: Fork leg reconditioning
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2012, 03:35:51 PM »
Thanks for the responses guys. Sorry for the confusion on naming convention. I am talking about the 33 mm fork tubes that extend through the triple clamps.

I've found a pair of NOS tubes at $190 each that I'm reluctant to purchase without considering alternatives. I'm thinking that cosmetic plating might be a bit cheaper but may not be work because the final OD isn't a controlled parameter. Its all about appearance. On the other hand, precision OD grinding and hard chrome are probably more expensive than buying the NOS parts.=

Dave
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