Smoothing out scuffed crash bars

[DrPete]

I put the bike down on a roundabout back in February. The Motech crash bars did their thing, but they're a bit scuffed/scratched. Rather than replace both bars, I thought I might try to smooth the scuffs and have the bars re-powder coated.

Has anyone any suggestions how to start - I've not tried this before. Is it worth using a fine file to start with, then, say a series of wet and dry? 120, 240, 400, 600 1200?

Any advice or gotchas gratefully received.

 

[MKP]

Dr Pete, I've had the same mishap, you could repair as you have suggested but a lot will depend on how bad they are scuffed, alternatively if they have deep scuffs why not just use some filler and then paint them with smooth silver/black hammerite. As a side note I am a mechanic and have a few friends with 1100/1150/1200 GS's and I have used silver hammerite on numerous components with great success. Forks,front wishbones,front covers etc. Although the colour is not exact its very near and looks much better than corroded parts. it also saves time and money sending parts for powdercoating. IMHO it's just as durable. One of my mates had a 1100GS which I painted the forks,wishbone and rockercovers, I did this for him when he bought it at 56000 miles it has now covered just under 100000 and its still looking good. He uses it all year round. Give it a go and if your not completely satisfied you can always send them for powdercoating and all it will have cost you is a can of hammerite. Hope this helps.

 

[alistairl]

I'd have a chat with whoever you want to do the powdercoat - any finish requires some preparation and they would have relevant experience to share.

A.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Whip them off the bike and take them to your local powder coater who will do all the prep

 

[morty]

you'll be cheaper buying new bars

 

[dvcress]

Took my bars here = www.fawheels.co.uk off mill lane london NW6

I took them off my 2004 1200gs they were silver,transfered them to my current 2010gs and had them powdercoated black while thy were off.

They were scuffed,marked & rusting and i collected them four days later
in a better condition than when they were new £50 BARGAIN !!!

The main business is recoating car wheels.1st class set up.

I have no connection with this company.

 

[morty]

cheers for that mate,white van man decided he wanted to try and fit my bars to the side of his van and made a mess of them.tried everywhere to get them recoated as it was scratches and a few gouges.Price was dearer than new bars although white van man did replace them.