Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
Moderator: rztom
Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
After cleaning and polishing, I want to put an exterior finish on my fork sliders (bottoms). Anyone got any reasons to choose between anodizing or powder coat? Can't decide which would be best.
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750
'85 FZ750
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Re: Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
Depends what you want them to look Peter. If you want powder coating done let me know....we can throw them in the oven for cheap depending on what color you want.
Anodizing is a more interesting finish in my opinion whereas PC looks more like paint. Can do any color you want...
Anodizing is a more interesting finish in my opinion whereas PC looks more like paint. Can do any color you want...
Re: Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
I 2nd for anodizing.
Or polish, if you like bling and easy hose/wipe-off cleaning.
Or polish, if you like bling and easy hose/wipe-off cleaning.
Re: Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
I gave them an initial polishing and the results were pointing towards powder coat. One leg was fairly corroded but the other had a big ass sticker on it which protected the OEM finish. Interestingly the corroded leg polished up a lot better than the protected one.
Evan, I didn't know you could do powder coat. I may just take you up on that offer as I was a bit less than impressed with the results I got from the place I took stuff to last time.
Evan, I didn't know you could do powder coat. I may just take you up on that offer as I was a bit less than impressed with the results I got from the place I took stuff to last time.
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750
'85 FZ750
Re: Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
bear in mind that some of these have a plastic bush in em.... 200DegC for most powders :/
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid
Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid
Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
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- Posts: 1375
- Joined: Tue Nov 12, 2013 2:34 am
Re: Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
Peter, we have a PC oven. All plastic bits have to come out. usually sandblast parts first so would likely take a bit until we have another set of stuff to blast (the place is just down Barlow). If its a common color likely have powder already. If not, prismatic powders has thousands of colors to choose from.
Another finish that I like and is a little less bling than full polish is taking a scotchbrite pad to it in one direction after polish. My only issue with this is it is difficult to avoid getting streaks that are not perfectly straight. Used this finish on the FZR400 legs and they look nice.
Another finish that I like and is a little less bling than full polish is taking a scotchbrite pad to it in one direction after polish. My only issue with this is it is difficult to avoid getting streaks that are not perfectly straight. Used this finish on the FZR400 legs and they look nice.
Re: Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
Powder coating will give a MUCH better result.
You'll probably be sorry if you anodize old cast aluminum. No matter how much you polish the fork bottom, anodizing will look very dull. Anodizing will also fade considerably faster and scratch easier than powder coating.
You'll probably be sorry if you anodize old cast aluminum. No matter how much you polish the fork bottom, anodizing will look very dull. Anodizing will also fade considerably faster and scratch easier than powder coating.
Re: Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
There are no bushings inside a 31K fork slider. The bushings are on the leg itself and they aren't plastic.JonW wrote:bear in mind that some of these have a plastic bush in em.... 200DegC for most powders :/
Thats what I was afraid of. Think we will go the powder coat route.Smoker wrote:Powder coating will give a MUCH better result.
You'll probably be sorry if you anodize old cast aluminum. No matter how much you polish the fork bottom, anodizing will look very dull. Anodizing will also fade considerably faster and scratch easier than powder coating.
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750
'85 FZ750
Re: Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
There is a guy advertises on 2 stroke world. he can put the fork lowers back to factory look. He did a set of R5 bottoms for me , they came out good.
Re: Fork Slider (bottoms) Finish
Same guy Did mine, He did a fantastic job on Mine, Left them with the original brushed finish and powder coated them clear..
1985 RZv500
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
1984 GPZ750 Turbo
1989 VFR750R RC30
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
1984 GPZ750 Turbo
1989 VFR750R RC30