Pitted Forks?

[manxie]

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 

[timbo]

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 

[themoudie]

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

[johnr]

get them ground and rechromed at philpots.

[SteveC#222]

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.

[manxie]

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!!

[johnr]

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.

[johnr]

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.......

[manxie]

cheers johnr  definitely gators on the cards 

[johnr]

the neoprene gaitors are pretty good.

[timbo]

Wemoto gaiters, £11

[manxie]

Excellent..... thank you