Unsightly rectangles

oldbiker · 04-14-2008, 07:38 AM

Has anyone tried to polish out the dull rectangles on the forks behind the front fender bracket bolts?

**ringadingh** · 04-14-2008, 07:57 AM

I havn't but,I don't see why you couldn't, use a dremel tool or something similar. I have chrome forks on my bike that took care of that for me.

macmac · 04-14-2008, 08:57 AM

Ringadingh, How did you get that part chromed? I haven't seen any factory option for that.

As to grinding and buffing, it can be done on the bike I guess, but it would be much easier if the parts were off the bike.

There is a clear coat over that alloy as well, that would need to be gone, or replaced..

04-14-2008, 09:18 AM

You can get chromed ones by exchange on the internet. Not cheap though. I've been thinkin' it myself, as my clear coat is shot on the lowers & they're starting to look patchy.

bobzinger · 04-14-2008, 10:04 AM

I tried to buff out a side cover once not realizing that it had a clear coat. Once I started I burned the clearcoat...then I had to do the whole darn thing. Wish I would have left it alone!

oldbiker · 04-14-2008, 11:15 AM

Good advice, they're not that unsightly. Think I'll find something else to play with.

macmac · 04-14-2008, 11:24 AM

Oh come on... rip that stuff off and buff it all down, get that nasty old clear off too. besides that you need new fork seals and new oil anyway.

Mostly I just want to read about how you had no idea buffing on a 8" wheel shocked you hard! Like it did to me...

Oh man was that a surprise. I used long rubber gloves and stood on a rubber matt, and still got hammered in static sparks..

The bike was Liberty my sx 850. I really paid the price, but had no choice sine the clear was 50-50 there-gone missing, and yellowed.

blowndodge · 04-14-2008, 11:30 AM

karma dude, karma...

04-14-2008, 03:22 PM

I've used epoxy remover to get that stuff off steel before, but I've never tried it on aluminum. I'm going to try a small spot on mine & see what happens, but I'm afraid it'll corrode the aluminum like crazy before I can wash it off. Perhaps power sanding with a scotchbrite wheel would be a better option. I think it's like $400 a set to get chrome lower legs. I'd rather just buff mine & re-coat them with clear.

macmac · 04-14-2008, 05:05 PM

A skuffy pad on a dril will do it for that clear. When I did Liberty the forks were real nasty black alloy and yellow clear. Being in heap of metal out doors at the junk yard around here in January when i found it should say something.

On of those junk yard trades, ya know. Oh nice ol bike whatcha want for it. The guys says 500 bucks, I say yeah right.. How about a transfercase for a chebbie?

Well I didn't need 2, and in January when it is plow killin season, you can sell em. The deal was done, and I hadn't even tried the kicker.

That bike came a along way from that heap of steel if you ask me.

I probably used a drill mounted skuffy before i buffed that to like chrome, but with CRS and back to 99 when I did it, I can't recall fir sure. I sure remember taking hits of static though.

Scoot · 04-14-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caddmannq

I've used epoxy remover to get that stuff off steel before, but I've never tried it on aluminum. I'm going to try a small spot on mine & see what happens, but I'm afraid it'll corrode the aluminum like crazy before I can wash it off. Perhaps power sanding with a scotchbrite wheel would be a better option. I think it's like $400 a set to get chrome lower legs. I'd rather just buff mine & re-coat them with clear.

At Scootworks they have a Chrome exchange program

prices:

Approximate Chrome Exchange Costs -
- RH Mirror Mount, Vulcan: $35.00
- LH Clutch Perch, Yamaha: $60.00
- Switch Heads (full set- 4 halves), most models: $110.00
- Ignition Switch Relocator, Vulcan 1500: $120.00
- Clutch Master Cylinder, Vulcan: $125.00
- Front Brake Master Cylinder, most models: $125.00
- Rear Brake Caliper Stay: $75.00
- Rear Engine Mount, VN1500: $75.00
- Differential Housing: $250.00
- Inner Engine Cover, VN1500/VN1600: $125.00
- Lower Fork Legs, most models: $250.00
- Swing Arm, VN1500: $350.00
- Kawasaki OEM Oil Cap: $16.00
- Brake Rotor Polish: $100.00
- Front Brake Caliper, most models: $150.00
- Front Brake Caliper Mount, most models: $40.00
- Rear Brake Caliper, most models: $160.00
- Rear Brake Master Cylinder, most models: $100.00
- Vulcan Driver Floorboard Mount: $150.00
- Vulcan OEM Driver Floorboards: $100.00
- Top Cap for Handlebar Reservoir, most models: $13.00
- Top Triple Tree: $75.00
- RoadStar '99-'03 Rear Pulley: $250.00
- Vulcan 800 Rear Brake Drum RH Side: $125.00
- Vulcan 800 Rear Sprocket Mt, LH Side: $75.00

04-14-2008, 06:34 PM

I can buy a lot of gas for the price of bling. And even the occassional tire to boot. Every piece of chrome I see I think, how much gas will that buy.LOL. That gas ain't gettin any cheaper either.

04-14-2008, 07:36 PM

Thanks. I guess that means $250 per pair which sounds really cheap. If so, I'm gonna have to do this, as I wouldn't wanna strip and polish the things for $250 myself.

(This is because making money by workin a computer makes you lazy. Now if it is $250 EACH, then I might not be quite so lazy then.

)

04-14-2008, 07:38 AM	#1
oldbiker Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: la Fayette, Ga Posts: 472	Unsightly rectangles Has anyone tried to polish out the dull rectangles on the forks behind the front fender bracket bolts? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-14-2008, 07:57 AM	#2
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Unsightly rectangles I havn't but,I don't see why you couldn't, use a dremel tool or something similar. I have chrome forks on my bike that took care of that for me. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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04-14-2008, 08:57 AM	#3
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Unsightly rectangles Ringadingh, How did you get that part chromed? I haven't seen any factory option for that. As to grinding and buffing, it can be done on the bike I guess, but it would be much easier if the parts were off the bike. There is a clear coat over that alloy as well, that would need to be gone, or replaced.. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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04-14-2008, 09:18 AM	#4
Guest Posts: n/a	Unsightly rectangles You can get chromed ones by exchange on the internet. Not cheap though. I've been thinkin' it myself, as my clear coat is shot on the lowers & they're starting to look patchy.
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04-14-2008, 10:04 AM	#5
bobzinger Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Livermore CA Posts: 1,334	Unsightly rectangles I tried to buff out a side cover once not realizing that it had a clear coat. Once I started I burned the clearcoat...then I had to do the whole darn thing. Wish I would have left it alone! __________________ Life is Good! Eternal Life is better! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-14-2008, 11:15 AM	#6
oldbiker Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: la Fayette, Ga Posts: 472	Unsightly rectangles Good advice, they're not that unsightly. Think I'll find something else to play with.
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04-14-2008, 11:24 AM	#7
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Unsightly rectangles Oh come on... rip that stuff off and buff it all down, get that nasty old clear off too. besides that you need new fork seals and new oil anyway. Mostly I just want to read about how you had no idea buffing on a 8" wheel shocked you hard! Like it did to me... Oh man was that a surprise. I used long rubber gloves and stood on a rubber matt, and still got hammered in static sparks.. The bike was Liberty my sx 850. I really paid the price, but had no choice sine the clear was 50-50 there-gone missing, and yellowed. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

04-14-2008, 11:30 AM	#8
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Unsightly rectangles karma dude, karma... __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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04-14-2008, 03:22 PM	#9
Guest Posts: n/a	Unsightly rectangles I've used epoxy remover to get that stuff off steel before, but I've never tried it on aluminum. I'm going to try a small spot on mine & see what happens, but I'm afraid it'll corrode the aluminum like crazy before I can wash it off. Perhaps power sanding with a scotchbrite wheel would be a better option. I think it's like $400 a set to get chrome lower legs. I'd rather just buff mine & re-coat them with clear.
	0

04-14-2008, 05:05 PM	#10
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Unsightly rectangles A skuffy pad on a dril will do it for that clear. When I did Liberty the forks were real nasty black alloy and yellow clear. Being in heap of metal out doors at the junk yard around here in January when i found it should say something. On of those junk yard trades, ya know. Oh nice ol bike whatcha want for it. The guys says 500 bucks, I say yeah right.. How about a transfercase for a chebbie? Well I didn't need 2, and in January when it is plow killin season, you can sell em. The deal was done, and I hadn't even tried the kicker. That bike came a along way from that heap of steel if you ask me. I probably used a drill mounted skuffy before i buffed that to like chrome, but with CRS and back to 99 when I did it, I can't recall fir sure. I sure remember taking hits of static though. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

04-14-2008, 06:34 PM	#12
Guest Posts: n/a	Unsightly rectangles I can buy a lot of gas for the price of bling. And even the occassional tire to boot. Every piece of chrome I see I think, how much gas will that buy.LOL. That gas ain't gettin any cheaper either.
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04-14-2008, 07:36 PM	#13
Guest Posts: n/a	Unsightly rectangles Thanks. I guess that means $250 per pair which sounds really cheap. If so, I'm gonna have to do this, as I wouldn't wanna strip and polish the things for $250 myself. (This is because making money by workin a computer makes you lazy. Now if it is $250 EACH, then I might not be quite so lazy then. )
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