Fork leg bottom renovation

[Zanderk]

Hi All,

I am mid-fork swop grafting on CBR600F3 uppers to Hawk bottoms once the cartridges have been upgraded by Brook Suspension, UK and progressive springs added.

After seeing the very basic design of the Hawk forks and the treacle that impersonated fork oil that flowed forth, it’s no wonder they were mega soft on the road. (I knew they’d be like that but wanted to run the bike stock to understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Anyway whilst they are apart, the outer surface of the fork leg bottoms have seen better days (gravel / stone chipped) so my question is what do people do to renovate.

Buff and polish, re-paint or treat with a coating ?
Thanks in anticipation.

[Captain 80s]

I paint my fork lowers. Relatively cheap and fast and can be touched up if needed.


PXL_20220823_132912127.jpg
And can actually be done after assembling the forks. I do my prep before, clean well after assembly and use the old dust seals lightly seated as masking "plugs", then tape off the chrome tubes and axle holes. Paint can cure without damage from handling and working on them. I use an old CBR triple clamp in a vise for "holders" in between coats and for curing.

[Zanderk]

Thanks for that, they look pretty good and a lot better than mine currently Any specific type of paint ?

[Captain 80s]

Thanks for that, they look pretty good and a lot better than mine currently Any specific type of paint ?

Duplicolor Wheel Coating. The Silver is a very good match for Honda-type stuff, and not cheap and too bright looking like some cheaper paint. Grab a can of Duplicolor Wheel Clear in Matte or Gloss for some extra protection and the final look you want. Those were done with the Matte Clear. They also have a Charcoal Metallic which is near impossible to find right now, plus a Matte and Gloss Black.

[Zanderk]

That’s great, thanks for taking the time to put me on the right track, appreciated as always.

[BillnOroville]

I strip the clear coat and polish them. Bike is garaged so they stay pretty clean with just a wet rag to get the bugs off and maybe some wax/polish a couple times a year. These forks got worked over by Hord after they were polished.

IMG_8032.jpg

[Captain 80s]

I strip the clear coat and polish them. Bike is garaged so they stay pretty clean with just a wet rag to get the bugs off and maybe some wax/polish a couple times a year. These forks got worked over by Hord after they were polished.

IMG_8032.jpg

Polished always looks great, like yours! I have some bikes with polished hardware, like clip-ons, rearsets, etc. And depending on usage, not bad to keep up with. But man, when you have as many bikes as I have, paint is a real good route on things that are down near the road. Especially when you can match a Honda finish.

And it's not just clear coat on a lot of Hondas, it's clear anodizing. Takes some work to get down to aluminum that can be polished.

[BillnOroville]

Polished always looks great, like yours! I have some bikes with polished hardware, like clip-ons, rearsets, etc. And depending on usage, not bad to keep up with. But man, when you have as many bikes as I have, paint is a real good route on things that are down near the road. Especially when you can match a Honda finish.

And it's not just clear coat on a lot of Hondas, it's clear anodizing. Takes some work to get down to aluminum that can be polished.

Thanks

Yeah, the more bikes mean you have to be more efficient. Your forks in above post look excellent and more original too. Polishing takes lots of time and effort. I ran into some side radiator panels on my 21 Rebel 1100 DCT and paint remover did not remove squat. I think they were anodized black. It took a wire wheel on my bench grinder to get to the aluminum.

The Hawk is so much nicer looking to me unlike the 1100 that is basically all black except for the painted fenders and tank. But I have been reducing the black some in the last year. Wheel outside edges done at the first tire change. Radiator panel and a side panel. Forks will stay black. I am contemplating some bright silver paint or polish areas of the engine but just a thought for now.


IMG_9079.jpg

[6]

Yall got further than i do bringing those back...

Attn to detail, some people have it,... Some not as much i guess.

[Forcerouge]

Thanks for that, they look pretty good and a lot better than mine currently Any specific type of paint ?

I painted mine also, used engine paint.
The paint that is used on engines/gearboxes.

It looks like natural aluminum color, but its is 2 component paint that is extremely tough and can resist abrasion, small impacts and chemicals.

[Maritime]

If black I use the VHT Chassis epoxy, poor mans powder coat and tough stuff. If silver I use the Duplicolor wheel but then if doing other bits will use the Spraymax 2K clear after, it's tougher than the wheel clear and chemical resistant so brake fluid if dripped won't remove it.

[Captain 80s]

If black I use the VHT Chassis epoxy, poor mans powder coat and tough stuff. If silver I use the Duplicolor wheel but then if doing other bits will use the Spraymax 2K clear after, it's tougher than the wheel clear and chemical resistant so brake fluid if dripped won't remove it.

Same. If I have a bunch of parts ready, I'll crack a can of SprayMax. Stuff is awesome. Use VHT too on some things.