your thoughts on powder coating

[Speedy1959]

When I originally got my bike I rubbed down the fork legs and sprayed with satin black paint and then a satin clear coat..
Regretfully I didn't use an etch primer and there are some chips in the black paint starting to appear..

I was wondering about Powder Coating the fork legs BUT..
What happens to the compression adjuster that you cant remove?
Is this going to be damaged with the heat of the powder coating process?
I know there is a rubber seal in there somewhere..

Your thoughts please...

[gsxbarmy]

Your worries are spot on, as the powder coating process would potentially cause issues with the adjusters, in particular the seals. Unless the adjusters can be removed, i'd steer clear of powder coating the sliders.

From a peace of mind aspect, it may well be a case of rub down and re-spray - job for the winter months maybe.

[black14]

Adjusters (K5 on) can be removed. I cleaned up a set of forks and had them clear powder coated - I reckon they look ok.

[steve porter]

I have found powder coating  to be too brittle and easily chipped if in areas that are prone to stone chips,and tends to flake in bigger pieces than paint, It`s also a prick to remove if you want to redo something.

[Andre]

https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=340.0

[seth]

I have lots of parts powder coated but not the fork sliders
@Speedy1959 has a very late k4 and I'm not sure if that is completely strip downable.
On our k5/6's I just rub the sliders down in the winter and smooth harmerite them in either black or silver .
They look ok most of the time but by the end of the year they are stone chipped again .
Powdercoating would also chip so it's much easier to just repaint for a few ££.
Though this year I might be paying a friend a visit to have them painted with a bit better quality paint/primer and skill than I have .

[black14]

Hi Andre. The forks in that thread you've linked to must be pre-k5. Mine are different - don't have the plug just a locknut.

[black14]

These are the powder coated ones.

[Snapey]

Forget about the model you want to do but take note of Steve Porters post.

[grog]

Black, yours look awesome. Have never powdercoated anything on 14 but have previous bikes. My lowers are still original, few marks but ok. My plan when needed was just Hammerite. Thats what i used on un repairable crash bars i bought. They came up almost perfect. 

[black14]

The powder coated ones are my original forks. Only put them back on a few weeks ago.
I get the comments about being tough stuff to remove. It is.
I think that the UK guys have more of an issue with the fork sliders due to the salt on the  roads.
I do a lot of kms on the 14 so anything that requires regular maintenance for most is a non-starter for me.
My 10c.

[steve porter]

These are the powder coated ones.

They look good, the reason I am wary is I had to get it removed from a frame back in the day as the front downtubes had flaked from stone chips and was actually rusting underneath the powder coating, major pain in the arse to strip compared to paint and it had only been done a couple of years earlier

[Del]

Though this year I might be paying a friend a visit to have them painted with a bit better quality paint/primer and skill than I have .

@seth  I'm just about to start a couple of sets I have here one is going to be Sparkle Metallic black and the other I'm thinking a real dark gunmetal 

[seth]

Mine aren't ready to bring yet lol but they will be over the winter I have a few things to discus with you when I see you next

[Notty]

Polished is the way to go just a  wipe with Meguars each month and no pitting