Making Lower Fork Tubes Look Better

[MalamuteMike]

I have forks on our 1200 that had state decals on them and now they look like crap, I was wanting to know if anybody has fixed there fork tubes, I was thinking of maybe glass beading then clear them, need to find a clear that will stick, or does anybody have other ideas on fixing them.

[bikerking.biz]

Remove the clear coating that comes stock on them. Some sand it off, others use paint remover. I would use a chemical remover. If there are any rough spots, sand them with about 220 or finer paper to smooth out, then use a finer grit i.e. 400 or 500, then just use metal polish (not chrome cleaner) and polish them to chrome like look. You will have to redo it occassionally, but it is easy once the clear coating from the factory is removed.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I used to do this to all my 1970s motorcycles that I owned in the 1980s. I used steel wool and mothers polish

[gearheadfla]

Here's the ones on my 88, I used aircraft stripper to remove the clear coat, then started with a bench buffer working to rubbing compound to wax, then use Liquid Diamond polish, I also stripped the rim with aircraft stripper and hand polished it, this pic shows water spots from mounting a new tire but you get the idea.

[MalamuteMike]

I had the forks rebuilt, so when I got them back I figured I would clean them up, I sanded them with 220 grit then 400 and finished with 800 grit, then took my adjustable speed buffer and alum. polish and after about a hour & a half to two hours they were finished and they look all nice & shiny now, Thanks for the ideas