Refinishing fork sliders...

Roland and no name, BOTH of you guys have done a GREAT job!!!!!
Question.. I'm going to redo a spare set of Z1 forks like you both have. Do you "sand" or whatever we will call it, in a certian direction to get that nice factory look???
I don't want "sanding" marks running up and down, at right angles ect on the forks. I guess I just answered my own question:S DUH !!!
But words of wisdom are most welcome !!
Pat

Post edited by: patmann, at: 2005/11/10 10:10

@ Roland

it's 1973 Z1.

You can see it in the Z1-900 gallery.

Post edited by: no name, at: 2005/11/10 11:12

patmann wrote:

Roland and no name, BOTH of you guys have done a GREAT job!!!!!
Question.. I'm going to redo a spare set of Z1 forks like you both have. Do you "sand" or whatever we will call it, in a certian direction to get that nice factory look???
I don't want "sanding" marks running up and down, at right angles ect on the forks. I guess I just answered my own question:S DUH !!!
But words of wisdom are most welcome !!
Pat<br><br>Post edited by: patmann, at: 2005/11/10 10:10

Hey Pat...yeah generally when sanding aluminum for refinishing you want to keep your sand strokes in the same direction. No more than 30 degrees off or so. It's tough to do around the brake mounts, reflector area, and bottom of the sliders. In fact you can even see some buffing marks from the factory. I didn't worry about it too much. Mine aren't perfect and like I said I could have spent much more time on them going for that 'perfect' look, but I'd rather be riding!

Post edited by: savedrider, at: 2005/11/10 19:54

Wow NoName, they look really great!! One question; what brand alloy wheel clear coat did you use, and where did you get it?

Thanks, Ed

@ ED
I'm from Germany and the paint is

STANDOX 2K (aluminium clear).

You can use it with every 2k hardener.

It's very important to clean the alloy parts carefully before painting them.

More informations at

www.standox.com

try paint stripper its a lot easier and you dont have to worry about sanding too much in one area.if you want the legs to really shine put a buffing wheel on a bench grinder and use polishing compound on them,if you have any inperfections sand them first then buff. you might want to practice on some junk parts first though .the origoinal coating is more like a plastic thn a clear good luck!

Roland...looks great,Bud!
And I KNOW what You mean,when You say it was a lot of work.I did Mine 2 years ago,and I also high-speed polished them,as well.
Well...they DO have to be wiped down periodically,but it really is quite easy to do,and if You keep up on it,it's quick.
I was also wondering about reclearing them,and I thought I would give it a season,and see how they looked.I never DID clear them,and they still look as good as they do in the picture.(well...My dog licks them all the time,so I have smudges on themLOL)
And yes...Mothers DOES work great...and so does Autosol.Unlike the spokes...the forklegs are one of the easier parts to keep clean.

Post edited by: sandy, at: 2005/11/18 01:41

Whoa! Okay, I feel the next project coming on...get grinder, get buffing wheel...get fork sliders looking like Sandy's.