GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => General Technical discussion => Topic started by: Speedy1959 on Sunday, 15 July 2018, 04:10 AM

Title: powder coating lower forks
Post by: Speedy1959 on Sunday, 15 July 2018, 04:10 AM
When wheels are powder coated they usually dunk them in a bath of caustic chemicals to remove the old finishes.. At least they did in my case....

What I would like tobknow from those of you who have had lower forks powder coated, did they dunk your forks or did they "media blast" them ?

I ask because im not sure about caustic chemicals going inside the forks..

Your views please..
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: grog on Sunday, 15 July 2018, 05:52 PM
Polish or spray i reckon. lot less drama.
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: gsxbarmy on Monday, 16 July 2018, 01:47 AM
The main bit you have to be careful of Simon are the adjusters in the lower sliders. They are removeable on K5's onward, but not on the earlier K2/3/4 forks, the problem being the little rubber seals within the adjuster.

I never had mine done, so can't comment on the best approach, but for me, I think I'd go for the blasting - especially if the adjusters cannot be removed (as they can be taped off), as being the safer approach - like you not sure I'd like all those horrible chemicals inside my forks!

But happy to be advised by those who have had it done.
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: T250 on Monday, 16 July 2018, 04:29 AM
As Grog says, a lot less drama, I'd be very cautious about blasting, as the media ends up like a grinding paste, and unless you can guarantee you can seal off the bits you don't want blasted the grit will get in there...and the end results aren't nice...think oil, moving stantions, moving fork cartridge internals plus grinding paste  :cry2:  :evil:
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: Speedy1959 on Monday, 16 July 2018, 04:35 AM
Thanks T250..
I have decided AGAINST blasting / powder coating...
May give the "Simoniz Acrylic Satin Black" a try I bought a while ago..

Thanks again for all your responses..
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: Notty on Monday, 16 July 2018, 06:28 AM
Polished mine - just need swipe over every few weeks   :)
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: KiwiCol on Monday, 16 July 2018, 10:11 AM
Forks are nice Notty,  :onya: hope Barmy doesn't see the grubby calipers hanging by their hoses though,  :doh: or you'll be in for it. :lol:
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: Speedy1959 on Monday, 16 July 2018, 02:21 PM
In my opinion its not an issue with bike calipers as they weigh nothing compared to car calipers..
I drape mine over the rear of the radiator on each side.
That keeps them out of the way.
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: gsxbarmy on Monday, 16 July 2018, 03:26 PM
Quote from: Notty on Monday, 16 July  2018, 06:28 AM
Polished mine - just need swipe over every few weeks   :)

Maybe time to respray those calipers Notty, offset nicely those polished sliders  :whistling:
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: T250 on Monday, 16 July 2018, 09:23 PM
 :onya:
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: gsxbarmy on Monday, 16 July 2018, 09:27 PM
Very nice in blue  :clapping: :onya:
Title: Re: powder coating lower forks
Post by: Red Biker on Tuesday, 17 July 2018, 10:03 PM
Hi Speedy,
May be too late for you but I had mine media blasted and powder coated, no issue other than sanding off the caliper brackets that the coasters hadn't  :onya:

Pros for me over spraying are higher quality durable finish and easy to keep looking good and only £20 the pair.

Red