Repainting Fork Legs

[GlynnJ]

This is my first post so please be gentle with me...

In common with many other GSs I have seen, the grey paint on the bottom of my fork legs is looking shabby. Can anyone recommend a suitable paint for re-painting them. A good colour match would be nice.

GlynnJ

 

[Gecko]

Which GS have you got ? The 'Hammerite' silver works a treat on the R1100GS. Good for engine, swing arm , cylinder fins and forks Best used thinned slightly with Hammerite thinners.

 

[GlynnJ]

Ah... good point!

It's a 2002 1150GS. The forks weren't great when I got it 14 months ago (original owner did 715 miles in 14 months!) and now they are worse. I was thinking of stripping and repainting as soon as the road salt disappears (around July, probably).

GlynnJ

 

[MikeO]

Glynn,

drop in and see your local dealer and see if he's willing to do something as a goodwill gesture - worth a shot...

Mike

 

[GlynnJ]

Mike, I already tried that. He suggested that I spray them myself!

To be fair, he is a very good dealer and I have had other cosmetic items replaced (like barrels and head 'cos the paint was peeling) so I think I have to take it on the chin and repaint myself.

I could just leave them, but they annoy me...

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While I am online: big thanks to Alan BTBR and Michel for help/advise regarding lighting setup.

G

 

[Mzokk]

I did the for brace with Silver smooth hammerite and it was a really good match. I just masked everything off and put on four or five thin coats. I plan to do it properly when the salt is off the road and dismantle everything to do a proper job on the brace and the fork leg lowers. Recon I should be able to do it better than BMW!

 

[GlynnJ]

Thanks, Mzokk. I'll give it a try.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Might I also suggest that you visit a signwriter who does graphics on vans. I use this at work & am about to try it on my forks. It is transparent self adhesive vinyl. One or two layers should stop them chipping.

 

[Paul Young]

I had my fork sliders replaced some years ago & tracked down some protectors for them. They're carbon fibre, from Racespec & are for a Yamaha MX bike

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Phwoaaaaar!

How are they held on?

Not being familiar with MX Yamahas, which one. As I'm not even sure which abreviations on this site are for Yamahahahahas.

 

[GlynnJ]

Thanks. I had considered some kind of thick vinyl sticker - though it would need to extend to the bottom of the slider cos that bit looks ropey too. I am sure I am not the first to be disappointed by BM's thin paint.

GlynnJ

 

[Paul Young]

Phwoaaaaar!

How are they held on?

They flex open enough to slip over the fork leg & have enough tension in them to hold them in place.

Not being familiar with MX Yamahas, which one. As I'm not even sure which abreviations on this site are for Yamahahahahas.

Go to the Racespec website, enter the online shop, on the left hand menu - choose the "Bike Parts" option, then "Guards" & finally "Various Guards (+ see plastics)". At the top you'll see "Carbon USD Fork Guards" & the ones you want are the YZ125-450's. I have a large sheet of 3mm neoprene which I cut two patches out of, to pack out the fork legs where the lower blue sections are.

HTH,