Pitted forks or just plain dirty?

[Bateman]

hi - Having just returned from Poole Quay I am thoroughly ashamed at the state of my front forks compared to other GS's I saw tonight. Can anyone recommend a good way of getting them clean...

My forks.....

 

[Wraithwrider]

Pitted.

Defo.

Peter

 

[MikeP]

Remove wheel, swing both calipers off, rub down with wet and dry, re-spray with smooth Hammerite silver (and while the wheels off, give that a clean too! ).

 

[retroman]

welcome to the world of shit build quality

... leave 'em, a clean GS looks suspicious in my view.

 

[Bateman]

Thanks. Given that I struggle to remove the wheel off a bicycle, is this a straightforward procedure? Will a blast with a pressure washer make any difference. And what does "pitted" actually mean - I was told it is caused by stone chips?
And on the subject of cleaning the wheels, I have rubbed and scrubbed and huffed and puffed and still the rims are dirty - what is good for cleaning them.
The state of my bike is by no means a reflection on my own personal cleanliness.......

 

[longdog]

Thats pitting mate, and yes, "they all do that sir!". No, a pressure washer won't help either. Just follow the Hammerite route or take a look at this thread for an attractive and practical solution.

 

[Commuter]

Remove wheel, swing both calipers off, rub down with wet and dry, re-spray with smooth Hammerite silver (and while the wheels off, give that a clean too! ).

What he said. Welcome to BMW's fantastic product quality!!