Pitted shiny bits on fork legs

[AndyJW]

Yet another question about pitted fork legs.
The silver painted lower parts of the legs on my bike will be no problems to sort out, however what do I do about the chromed parts of the fork legs which on my bike are also a little bit pitted. The chromed parts of the legs seem to have very small ridges all the way up (run your fingernail up the legs if you don't know what I mean), and therefore if I emery out the pitted bits, then the finish will not be the same and it could end up looking a bit of a mess.
Has anyone solved this problem before?

 

[Voyager]

It sounds as though you are referring to the fork stanchions.

Don't go taking emery paper or anything apart from chrome cleaner to them.

The sliding fork seals eventually wear a pattern onto them and when they get really bad I'm afraid its a case of replacing the stanchions.

On a Telelever they should wear a lot slower than on a conventional telescopic fork leg because the main forks are supported by the 'A' frame with lower sideways / fore & aft forces.

 

[DJAIRO]

Yet another question about pitted fork legs.
The silver painted lower parts of the legs on my bike will be no problems to sort out, however what do I do about the chromed parts of the fork legs which on my bike are also a little bit pitted. The chromed parts of the legs seem to have very small ridges all the way up (run your fingernail up the legs if you don't know what I mean), and therefore if I emery out the pitted bits, then the finish will not be the same and it could end up looking a bit of a mess.
Has anyone solved this problem before?

Look at this post
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123110
First of al you must grid(excuse me if it is not the right word in English)the fork leggs with a electric tool whit gridpaper to take the coating and the"rings"???away.
Than with grid paper from 200 to 1000(water grid paper)than with"iron sponche????"than a polish disc and polich grease on a powerfull drill machine
untill it shine like a mirror!!!
The result is very great and exept the work(a full day for the 2 leggs)it is the best solution for this problem,because whit an other paint on the fork,you got the same problem very soon!!!
To keep it clean(shine like a mirror)every week I take a good metal polish an clean the fork leggs just 5 minutes work,and than i put a little bit of WD40(silicon spray) on a cloth and put it on the front leggs.
I hope you understand my explenation in bad English,it's the best I can
Greatz Frank

 

[AndyJW]

Thanks for the reply

As you said, I had suspected that the only way to go was to emery the complete fork legs to remove the pitting and then to polish them up. I have ordered a metal polishing kit as you suggest in order to get the legs to a mirror finish. It may be a good idea to paint the legs with clear lacquer so that they don't need to be re-polished every week - I think I may give this a go.

 

[Straypuss]

If the chrome on the stanchions is showing signs of wear it is probable that the upper bush in the slider is wearing. This is teflon coated and once that has worn metal/metal contact occurs. Eventually the seal will begin to leak as there is too much movement. It costs about £6 and sits under a washer below the seal. It is an easy if fiddly job to do. There is no single lower bush just a number of nylon tubes (pipe) pressed into the slider. We put a set of universal gaiters over the exposed stantion when re assembling.
Part No 2 on fiche is bush part 7 is 'pipe'
http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/MainDiagrams.asp?mospid=47979

 

[AndyJW]

Thanks for your reply, but I wasn't talking about the stanchions. What I mean is the part of the legs above the silver painted bottom bits. Mine are pitted due to stone chips which have damaged the chrome. Because of the finish of the legs which are not smooth, but have very very tiny ridges all the way up, if I just remove the pitting by using emery paper and metal polish I will end up with patchy fork legs. I think the only way to sort this out is, as has been suggested, to emery the legs down completely (not the stanchions) and polish them up to a super smooth finish. After this I may clear lacquer the legs to protect the smooth finish.

 

[DJAIRO]

Thanks for your reply, but I wasn't talking about the stanchions. What I mean is the part of the legs above the silver painted bottom bits. Mine are pitted due to stone chips which have damaged the chrome. Because of the finish of the legs which are not smooth, but have very very tiny ridges all the way up, if I just remove the pitting by using emery paper and metal polish I will end up with patchy fork legs. I think the only way to sort this out is, as has been suggested, to emery the legs down completely (not the stanchions) and polish them up to a super smooth finish. After this I may clear lacquer the legs to protect the smooth finish.

DONT use clear lack!!!
Because one pit and a little bit of water and you must start over again!!!
And than you got ugly white rust under the clear !!!
I just keep it shiny,every time i clean the motorcycle,just put a little bit of metal polish and it shines just like new!!!
Frank

 

[DJAIRO]

Thanks for your reply, but I wasn't talking about the stanchions. What I mean is the part of the legs above the silver painted bottom bits. Mine are pitted due to stone chips which have damaged the chrome. Because of the finish of the legs which are not smooth, but have very very tiny ridges all the way up, if I just remove the pitting by using emery paper and metal polish I will end up with patchy fork legs. I think the only way to sort this out is, as has been suggested, to emery the legs down completely (not the stanchions) and polish them up to a super smooth finish. After this I may clear lacquer the legs to protect the smooth finish.

DONT use clear lack!!!
Because one pit and a little bit of water and you must start over again!!!
And than you got ugly white rust under the clear lack!!!
I just keep it shiny,every time i clean the motorcycle,just put a little bit of metal polish and it shines just like new!!!
Frank

 

[Bigtwin]

I protected mine with a sleeve made from the wares of the Ying Ho Fung takeaway in the village.

Protectors made from chip forks are highly effective, environmentally responsible, and the irony gives me smiles for miles.