Thumper Club Forum

Technical => Bike Problems/Questions => Topic started by: manxie on October 29, 2015, 10:11:40 PM

Title: Pitted Forks?
Post by: manxie on October 29, 2015, 10:11:40 PM
Just bought a half decent set of forks for my SP370 (damn site better than my old ones) however, there is some slight pitting in the hard chrome. What tricks do you`s have up your sleeves which is an easy fix without re-chroming ? Cheers  ;)
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: timbo on October 29, 2015, 11:07:36 PM
I once successfully filled pitting on a pair of forks with a spot of araldite, then rubbed down smooth with wet and dry. Stuck a pair of gaiters on, new fork seals and Bobs your mothers brother  ;)
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: themoudie on October 29, 2015, 11:15:28 PM
Aye manxie,

Agree with timbo, but be really fine with the wet-n-dry, use a grey 3M flatting abrasive pad and finish off with chrome polish. Don't be surprised, however, if it does still leave a film on the forks.

My regards, Bill
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: johnr on November 02, 2015, 12:10:41 AM
get them ground and rechromed at philpots.
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: SteveC#222 on November 02, 2015, 08:32:42 AM
Rechroming is the ideal way to go especially if the pits are deep or your looking for a show finish, however, the araldite method works fine if you are on a budget and the damage isn't too bad.  Remember to carefully heat up the pitted area with a blow torch ( CAREFULLY) to burn off any oily residue in the pits or the araldite won't stick properly. I did this on my XBR years ago and it's still fine.
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: manxie on November 02, 2015, 11:48:07 AM
Great advice fella`s, thanks. My plan for the SP is to use it (eventually) including green laning. Although a show bike would be nice, I just want the forks to pass our MOT equivalent, and not leak oil when repaired. The forks I bought aren`t bad at all so fingers crossed. Cheers!!
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: johnr on November 03, 2015, 04:41:53 PM
if you want to remove an oily residue after flatting off id clean it with hot water and fairy liquid and then wipe it over with meths rather than using heat, as it might not burn off all the oil and even if it does, it might leave a residue on the surface. meths or other alcohol based solvents will disolve any oil residue.
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: johnr on November 03, 2015, 04:43:59 PM
and its worth remembering that fork gaiters secured with zip ties will not only protect the fork legs, but in an mot test, they cant be removed by the tester as they arent permitted to dismantle any part of the machine to test it.......
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: manxie on November 03, 2015, 05:09:56 PM
cheers johnr  ;) definitely gators on the cards  ;D
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: johnr on November 04, 2015, 12:37:41 AM
the neoprene gaitors are pretty good.
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: timbo on November 06, 2015, 10:47:10 PM
Wemoto gaiters, £11
Title: Re: Pitted Forks?
Post by: manxie on November 07, 2015, 07:40:35 AM
Excellent..... thank you  ;)