Few years back I wet sanded my FXR forks with 600,800,1000,1500,2000 then hit it with the mothers ball in a drill with blue magic and they went from 1988 to POW. But I took the tire, fender, and calipers off just to send it. Took a little longer, I’d say about a 6 pack just for good measure lol Keep it up mayn!
Stumbled across this video. Well, I couldn't stand the way my forks looked so I knocked out this project. They look great!! Thanks for keeping me busy.
I just did my lowers and wow, nice. When I would look at them, I always thought "How would I ever get them nice again?" I washed the bike, then I used the sanding blocks (coarse first, then finer) and finished with 400 grit then 600 grit. I was afraid of ruining them but I thought "It's just aluminum, sand away" Man was I impressed at the end result. Took about an hour each. My next session I will go finer and finer then buff and cover with a wax/polish. Thank you so much for your video. Guys/gals, don't be afraid to do this to your bike. It makes a huge difference . God Bless and Ride Safe :)
Great job. For those who buy a new bike, the key is not to let them get that way to begin with. My Road Glide is 5 years old and the forks still look like new and water is about the only thing I use. Still, this was a great video. A lot cheaper than buying new forks legs.
Hi, I dropped the fork's out of my 1700 Roadstar Silverado, removed the top stanchion cover's then cleaned slider's up with 200 grit paper, increasing to eventually 2000 grit until I got a smooth finish , The main problem is the lacquer Yamaha coat them with in the factory, after a few years water seems to penetrate it, then the corrosion start's, anyway, after sanding I went at them on the bench polisher, they get real heavy after a while, but the result is superb, almost a chrome finish, and well worth the effort, that was over two years ago, and all I need to do now, maybe twice a year, give them a going over with some metal polish, like you would any chrome parts, takes about 10 minutes per leg. Great video's as usual, keep them coming. Regard's Doug. UK.
i always wondered about that. you just gave me an answer nobody has been able to give me. the right answer to the right question. I give you a review rating of 110% and 2 thumbs up. bravo, bravo!
I pulled an 08 shadow aero out of a barn a couple of months ago . It keeps getting better every time I clean it . I looked for this video on purpose because I wasn't sure what to do with my front forks and they're about as bad as yours ( glad to see you were cleaning something that was actually bad ) . Thanks for the tip , that's my next attack . I have had many bikes but this one has plastic chrome everywhere and I couldn't bring it back to life but hey a you tube search taught me vinegar works excellent for that . It almost looks new again
I'm in the midst of doing this to my bike I just got and I thank you for showing me this technique. I was trying to figure out what I was doing wrong and I started with 230 grit and while it is working, it is taking a while. So I'm going to drop to a lower grit to move forward a bit faster. Then go back to the finer grit. Thanks again.
I have a 2005 HD Road King FLHPI that my wife bought me. I went in and started cleaning up the bike and then i noticed how shitty those fork legs looked. looked like garbage. A brief search brought me here to your video on polishing the fork legs. I just subscribed to you now. Thank you for helping/sharing. Now my bike will look superb.
I've been scratching my head over the best way to do this. Had been watching videos in which guys are refurbishing their mag wheels using industrial strength buffing machines, dremel tools, various polishing compounds, paint....and so on. I have, of all things, a Yamaha VStar 650, that has forks looking almost exactly like yours did. Tomorrow, I will follow your guidance to a T. I have every reason to believe it'll come out like yours. Thanks for the video.
Hey - Just came across your video a couple of days ago. Picked up a 1998 Road King Classic not long ago and the fork legs were a mess. Started with 220, then 400, 600, 1000 grit and finished with Autosol metal polish. Only thing I did differently was I wet sanded. They now look like chrome!! Thanks so much for the video! Didn't even realize this could be done!!
That's AWESOME Ron, the finished project is as good as the time you put into it. Wet sanding them would do an Incredible finish. Mine is a real quick and dirty job with little effort. Thank you for the feedback bro, ride safe out there.
My father passed away last year and I inherited his 07 Ultra Classic. His bike has the same problem. I’m glad I came across your video 👍. Now if I can just get up the nerve to take the cover off it and get it going. 🙏
Sorry to hear about your father. I understand, lost my dad yrs ago and there are still things I have a hard time with. Do it for your oldman he would love that. Cheers 👍
Great effort! Thought about buying and installing new chrome lowers but you saved me the money! For some reason I never thought about using the sandpaper and sanding "sponges". Good idea!
I had a same problem with my bike and it cost me 20 dollars for both lower forks Took me 1 hour now looks like new Thank you for your video brother 👍👍👍
Just bought a street bob 2006 with Gators fitted , lifted the rubbers up and descovered a grizzly mess on the forks urrrgh so i am going to attempt to clean them as you have done , you may have saved me a fortune , thanks from West Yorks England .
Just got a “new to me “ 09 softail heritage in pretty pristine condition very beautiful bike the only thing bad was the oxidation on the forks I’ve always seen people just buy new forks but you sir saved me some money bout to do this ASAP !!!
Am restoring a 1968 Triumph Bonneville and was thinking should I paint or polish the forks. Thanks for helping me with my decision to polish them brother, CHEERS!
It works, I just did one side on my Vulcan 500. I started with 120 sand paper in place of 80, and like you say, the sanding sponges are key, down to the finest one, I tried to go in one direction the whole time. Aluminum foil and water work for rust stains, small pits on the pipes to get started. Got one side pipes and lower forks, about 3 hours, but I'm slow. Thanks for the video, I didn't know quite exactly how I would get rid of the bad look on the forks. I would like to know what kind of reaction that is to the Aluminum Fork ends. Thumbs Up Dude! Great Video, Thanks.
Always looking for a better way to do things and your film was very informative. Found that there are differences between the forks and the bare aluminum wheels. Since this is the slow season, I'll be doing this in very short order. Thanks for the video.
You have made my day. My Ultra Limited is 2.5 years old and just suddenly went. I think it was not helped by the crap/salt we get on UK roads over winter.
That's awesome Brian, your exactly right, the salt eats the clear coat then starts etching the aluminum. Just a heads up on them now, they still look great and all I do is a quick polish every 3 to 4 months. Cheers bro
Lol that's exactly what I was going to do, paint them black but I figured I would give this a shot, if it didn't work out paint them. It worked out 😁 Cheers Bro
Did mine by removing fender and brake caliper, then used jell paint stripper. Rinsed with hose. Once dry light sanding job and semi-chrome polish. Came out mint.
Great little helpful vid. And you know what, buddy- you receive kind comments because that's what you put out into the world... gentleness and kindness. Clearly. Thanks for that!
if you have a compressor, and a 1/4" die grinder, use jewelers rouge on a cotton wheel (3") and hit it, will shine like chrome in short order, ( I like the white compound) only problem after you remove the laminate, you have to keep polishing it. I did the whole top end on my shovel head, covers and forks. looks amazing!
If you use 3000 grit sandpaper or emery cloth and finish off with Flitz you can get the fork looking like chrome. I've done this on a lot of polished aluminum ans stainless steel parts.
Good idea! In addition, I can't help but think if you remove the fender and front wheel, you could really get at all of the fork leg, plus reduce the chance of damaging, scratching them. I'm going to try this with my Road King. I think I'll start with a slightly finer grit sandpaper though. Still, awesome. Nicely produced video too.Thank you!
Franz Volpi thank you. It would make it less of a chance for scratching the fender for sure. I did manage to get all the way around them though with some patience lol. Cheers bro!
Thanks man. I started with 80, but you could probably start with 100 really then I just went to a 180 then I think it was 220. You could go to a 320 to get even a better shine, it's all about how much time you want to invest. For me it was a quick and easy low buck fix without killing myself. Cheers
And go finer and finer... then onto a high speed buffer. I use a dremal with polish bit for the tight spots and I end up with a chrome finish on my fork lowers. If you go that far any scratch shows and you may need to sand the scratch out finer and finer until you polish again. It can be a job but the results are show quality mirror chrome finish.
vf12497439 that's the beauty of working with aluminum, you can come up with a variety of looks. Like you said it's how for do you want to take it. Cheers!
Wow I was looking at hot to remove n replace mine cause they look like crap....now I know what I'm doing my next rainy day off...awesome glad this video found me...
Way cool. I bought a bike years ago from the Inland Empire that had pristine forks. Brought it home to Seal Beach, CA, and within six weeks the forks were noticeably corroded by the salt air at the beach. I cleaned them up with a flapper wheel in a cordless drill and chrome polish and had to keep after it ever after.
That was awesome! Thank you. Thought I would have to restore my forks by shelling out a lot if $, now my forks look great, for less then $5. Thanks bro! Awesome video.
Never forget seeing this for the first time and was so pleased with my results and Blue magic is still the best polish i have ever used but would never have known about it had i not seen this video just a shame its $18 with shipping in the UK only $7 in USA thanks again
They look good! Gonna do the same to my clear coated fxdl asap, go with highest possible grit or 3m scotch pads, my friend is a bodyman, he prefers them when possible, I found White Diamond to be easiest to use on aluminum and chrome, melts oxidation with little to no effort then I use my buffer and clearcoat wax. Almost gets a chrome finish. Luckily I have an auto paint store 5 min away with guys that really know what works on what!
Thank you, I really am not sure as to the grits, my best guess would be starting with 100 down to 220. You could go even finer grit to get a better shine. Just keep the grain the same for a nice finish.
Thanks a LOT for this. I just got my Dyna last week and the forks are exactly like yours were. Since I’m in japan I don’t really have the language skills to ask some bike shop about this. Instead you provided the answer and with a great video. Can’t wait to start tomorrow. Cheers from Shizuoka !!
Thank you! My forks on my Shadow have been pitted with corrosion since I got it a few years ago and couldn't figure out how to clean them up. This helps!
Hey thanks for sharing this. Restoring a 94 XR250L and the forks we as bad as yours... was not sure if sanding was the right solution but you proved it is!
@@flyerscout2 Awesome James, love hearing the feedback. Lol skip some grits eh whatever works bro that's what I say. If it looks great at the end you did it right. Cheers🍻 brother
NONONONOooo...I kept thinking thru this about polishing ANY METAL, and the worst NOOB mistake would .be to SKIP a grit...and you just skipped TEN, leaving you with an, at best, satiny finish. No doubt this was time & labor effective, but by going thru the mill...let's say, 80, 100, 220, 320, 600, 800, 1000, and 2000 before hitting the metal polish ( a good choice btw), your forks would have that deep alumnum shine (NOT the surface flash of chrome), that actually compliments chrome so well, and be a little easier to maintain, once the work was done. There are some limitations to the Harley metal ( like my Fatboy rims) that may keep you from finding gold, but ALL efforts will show results in the end. I an NOT dissing you,. just sharing MY way of looking at it. I still enjoyed the video. BTW, ALL of you should drain a drop of oil from both forks and inspect it: Harley's recommended maintenance interval may have you scratching your head, as you find a thin black ink coming out instead of some nice caramel colored oil....CHANGE IT!!!
Gary Chandler thanks Gary. So true with the grits. But I am very happy with the finished product. I may go back one day and do the full meal deal. Thanks for watching the video bro. Cheers!
@@bernbo Enjoyed the video and the result was great. I think that you used the proper grits as the resultant finish is so nice. It is hard to polish around these parts but once it is done it is easy to maintain. I find that polishing alloy is better than having that clear paint from the factory left on it. That clear when it starts to go goes in patches leaving some areas shiny and some areas just looking corroded and bad. Great video as usual Bernbo and easy to see how to do the job properly.
@@7316bobe I know I could have taken it a lot further, but this really was all I was looking for, just a clean up. Did not want to take it to that chrome look. It was a big pay off with not a lot of work. Ride safe, Cheers!
Great job! I have an 03 Vstar Custom 1100 I want to shine up to sell. I started w/🎿100 grit 'cause 80 sounded a little rough. Will now go to to 80 grit & see how it goes.
Thanks for the demo. My experience has been the metric folk will oxidize so quickly. Bet, the process would work on cooling fins and engine blocks. I'd suggest blue tap on the painted parts (Fender) to allow you to get in close/ Or remove the fender completely. It looks like the brake disc could use attention too
I only noticed it cause I will be doing my front brakes soon and was thinking I'd polish the discs. I'm going to remove the tire/wheel to clean up stuff.
That's again!!! Just got a '99 Kawasaki Voyager XII that needs this done. It's the replacement for my old Honda 1100 Shadow that I totaled when the deer ran out in front of me. I had made some really cool floorboards for it thanks to your vid. Stay safe out there.
Dam, hit a deer, hope you didn't get hurt on that. That's cool you made floorboards for it. Had a close call with o deer just a couple of weeks ago, we have tons of them around here. Congrats on the Voyager XII. Ride safe
Few years back I wet sanded my FXR forks with 600,800,1000,1500,2000 then hit it with the mothers ball in a drill with blue magic and they went from 1988 to POW. But I took the tire, fender, and calipers off just to send it. Took a little longer, I’d say about a 6 pack just for good measure lol Keep it up mayn!
Stumbled across this video. Well, I couldn't stand the way my forks looked so I knocked out this project. They look great!! Thanks for keeping me busy.
I just did my lowers and wow, nice.
When I would look at them, I always thought "How would I ever get them nice again?"
I washed the bike, then I used the sanding blocks (coarse first, then finer) and finished with 400 grit then 600 grit.
I was afraid of ruining them but I thought "It's just aluminum, sand away"
Man was I impressed at the end result. Took about an hour each.
My next session I will go finer and finer then buff and cover with a wax/polish.
Thank you so much for your video.
Guys/gals, don't be afraid to do this to your bike.
It makes a huge difference .
God Bless and Ride Safe :)
That's awesome, love to hear feedback like this 🍻.
Great job. For those who buy a new bike, the key is not to let them get that way to begin with. My Road Glide is 5 years old and the forks still look like new and water is about the only thing I use. Still, this was a great video. A lot cheaper than buying new forks legs.
@TH-uk6yj exactly, that's the true real fix. Cheers
Hi, I dropped the fork's out of my 1700 Roadstar Silverado, removed the top stanchion cover's then cleaned slider's up with 200 grit paper, increasing to eventually 2000 grit until I got a smooth finish , The main problem is the lacquer Yamaha coat them with in the factory, after a few years water seems to penetrate it, then the corrosion start's, anyway, after sanding I went at them on the bench polisher, they get real heavy after a while, but the result is superb, almost a chrome finish, and well worth the effort, that was over two years ago, and all I need to do now, maybe twice a year, give them a going over with some metal polish, like you would any chrome parts, takes about 10 minutes per leg. Great video's as usual, keep them coming. Regard's Doug. UK.
i always wondered about that. you just gave me an answer nobody has been able to give me. the right answer to the right question. I give you a review rating of 110% and 2 thumbs up. bravo, bravo!
I pulled an 08 shadow aero out of a barn a couple of months ago . It keeps getting better every time I clean it . I looked for this video on purpose because I wasn't sure what to do with my front forks and they're about as bad as yours ( glad to see you were cleaning something that was actually bad ) .
Thanks for the tip , that's my next attack .
I have had many bikes but this one has plastic chrome everywhere and I couldn't bring it back to life but hey a you tube search taught me vinegar works excellent for that .
It almost looks new again
Just picked up a 2006 Sportster 1200XL Custom which was sitting in a garage for 8+ years. This video will help alot. Thank you !!!!!!
I'm in the midst of doing this to my bike I just got and I thank you for showing me this technique. I was trying to figure out what I was doing wrong and I started with 230 grit and while it is working, it is taking a while. So I'm going to drop to a lower grit to move forward a bit faster. Then go back to the finer grit. Thanks again.
I have a 2005 HD Road King FLHPI that my wife bought me. I went in and started cleaning up the bike and then i noticed how shitty those fork legs looked. looked like garbage. A brief search brought me here to your video on polishing the fork legs. I just subscribed to you now. Thank you for helping/sharing. Now my bike will look superb.
I've been scratching my head over the best way to do this. Had been watching videos in which guys are refurbishing their mag wheels using industrial strength buffing machines, dremel tools, various polishing compounds, paint....and so on. I have, of all things, a Yamaha VStar 650, that has forks looking almost exactly like yours did. Tomorrow, I will follow your guidance to a T. I have every reason to believe it'll come out like yours. Thanks for the video.
Right on , have fun with the project. Cheers
Follow up to my original post:
1. I did what you did.
2. I got the same results you did. (they look great!)
Thanks again for the video!
I used the sponges (maybe 400 grit) and they work GREAT. Never thought they could look that good with little effort. Thanks for the tips.
All you used was the 400 grit sponge and that was it?
Hey - Just came across your video a couple of days ago. Picked up a 1998 Road King Classic not long ago and the fork legs were a mess. Started with 220, then 400, 600, 1000 grit and finished with Autosol metal polish. Only thing I did differently was I wet sanded. They now look like chrome!! Thanks so much for the video! Didn't even realize this could be done!!
That's AWESOME Ron, the finished project is as good as the time you put into it. Wet sanding them would do an Incredible finish. Mine is a real quick and dirty job with little effort. Thank you for the feedback bro, ride safe out there.
Another vote for Autosol here 👍
My father passed away last year and I inherited his 07 Ultra Classic. His bike has the same problem. I’m glad I came across your video 👍. Now if I can just get up the nerve to take the cover off it and get it going. 🙏
Sorry to hear about your father. I understand, lost my dad yrs ago and there are still things I have a hard time with. Do it for your oldman he would love that. Cheers 👍
Well done man. Was concerned about dealing with the same problem. Now I’m fully prepared and ready to go. Thanks for the video.
Great effort! Thought about buying and installing new chrome lowers but you saved me the money! For some reason I never thought about using the sandpaper and sanding "sponges". Good idea!
I had a same problem with my bike and it cost me 20 dollars for both lower forks
Took me 1 hour now looks like new
Thank you for your video brother 👍👍👍
That's awesome, cheers bro!
Just bought a street bob 2006 with Gators fitted , lifted the rubbers up and descovered a grizzly mess on the forks urrrgh so i am going to attempt to clean them as you have done , you may have saved me a fortune , thanks from West Yorks England .
Great video!! I was looking for a way to clean-up my lower forks!! Thanks!!
I did this on my 2005 FXD, it worked great. Thanks for the tip. Looks like new. Super cool
Thanks! I wasn't sure how to clean fork lowers until now.
I was just trying to figure out on how to restore that on my bike I'm glad I came across your video.
Very nice with just sanding it down... WOW... That is a clear coat of sealer on those lowers from the factory sir...
Just got a “new to me “ 09 softail heritage in pretty pristine condition very beautiful bike the only thing bad was the oxidation on the forks I’ve always seen people just buy new forks but you sir saved me some money bout to do this ASAP !!!
Me also just bout a 08 heritage softail...wow
Did this today, one fork down, one to go, looks good so far.
My 2006 Night Train is starting to look like this. Not nearly as bad as your bike was. About to give it a go now! Thanks
Am restoring a 1968 Triumph Bonneville and was thinking should I paint or polish the forks. Thanks for helping me with my decision to polish them brother, CHEERS!
Right on Allan, have fun with the project. Cheers!
It works, I just did one side on my Vulcan 500. I started with 120 sand paper in place of 80, and like you say, the sanding sponges are key, down to the finest one, I tried to go in one direction the whole time. Aluminum foil and water work for rust stains, small pits on the pipes to get started. Got one side pipes and lower forks, about 3 hours, but I'm slow. Thanks for the video, I didn't know quite exactly how I would get rid of the bad look on the forks. I would like to know what kind of reaction that is to the Aluminum Fork ends. Thumbs Up Dude! Great Video, Thanks.
That's Awesome Mark, Happy to hear the vid helped out. Cheers bro
Always looking for a better way to do things and your film was very informative. Found that there are differences between the forks and the bare aluminum wheels. Since this is the slow season, I'll be doing this in very short order. Thanks for the video.
You have made my day. My Ultra Limited is 2.5 years old and just suddenly went. I think it was not helped by the crap/salt we get on UK roads over winter.
That's awesome Brian, your exactly right, the salt eats the clear coat then starts etching the aluminum. Just a heads up on them now, they still look great and all I do is a quick polish every 3 to 4 months. Cheers bro
Brilliant!
I was going to take the forks off & do it by machine but after seeing this I’m going to have a go!
Many thanks!
Thanks for making my day, I was pricing out lower covers, you saved me a lot of cash. Thanks again
This is fantastic. I was going to paint my forks but I would much rather do this. Getting a sanding sponge tomorrow. Thanks a lot!!
Lol that's exactly what I was going to do, paint them black but I figured I would give this a shot, if it didn't work out paint them. It worked out 😁
Cheers Bro
@@bernbo I found a sanding sponge and literally sanded them after watching your video. Looks awesome! Took 30min. Lifesaver!
@@7awrence That's Awesome!
Killer job man and thanks big time for showing how its done. Just picked up a bike that needs this treatment!
You just saved me a lot of money! I almost bought new lowers 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Me too. I was looking at buying the chrome lowers for almost $500. Think I’ll just do this.
Did mine by removing fender and brake caliper, then used jell paint stripper. Rinsed with hose. Once dry light sanding job and semi-chrome polish. Came out mint.
I'd Like to know how you get your arm to move so fast.
He's probably been married for a long time! Hahah!
@@skinnyrabbitt3146 Funny but true
Zo quick and.....both hands !!!!
This made me laugh way too hard!
He connects a sander to his arm.
Very late to this. That turned out great! Curious if clear coat would help preserve it.
It could, but I got to say all these yrs later, they still buff up nice.
Thanks for that...This whole time I thought there's way no easy way to fix the forks....
Brilliant and just what I was looking for! . John in Gloucester UK 👏👏👏
Just got a street bob,been sitting a few years,gonna get right on this,thanks!
Thanks. You made it look easy. And it is. Just bought a Street Glide and thought I'd have to live with the pitting. Looks new now.
Richard Diver Awesome man. And Congrats on the new Street Glide.Cheers!
Great little helpful vid. And you know what, buddy- you receive kind comments because that's what you put out into the world... gentleness and kindness. Clearly. Thanks for that!
velokid1 Well thank you very much for that. I don’t know what else to say but thank you for your kind comments lol. Cheers!
Awesome 👍 thank you brother. I'm going to do this to my Road King. My forks look just like yours did. Nice job.
Thanks Brad, good luck with the project. Big payoff for not a lot of work. Cheers bro
You have a very cool way of presenting the information in this video. Made a mundane task quite fun to watch. bravo
Thanks tomar.
Cheers!
Forks look amazing. I did something similar didn’t come out as well. You’ve inspired me to give it another shot. Thanks.
thank just polished my forks in two hours they look incredible.
I am trying this one after watching your video and it's coming out nice. It's a lot of work but better than replacing them.
That's cool, happy to hear its coming out nice.🍻
Thx man. Best video by FAR. Couple hours of detail work saved $100s and $100s for me as I was leaning to replacing with chrome. No need anymore.
Thanks! I did it and was amazed at the results. I had the forks off the bike and disassembled, so it was even easier to do it.
Right on man, that's awesome.
if you have a compressor, and a 1/4" die grinder, use jewelers rouge on a cotton wheel (3") and hit it, will shine like chrome in short order, ( I like the white compound) only problem after you remove the laminate, you have to keep polishing it. I did the whole top end on my shovel head, covers and forks. looks amazing!
Great tip, thanks man.
If you use 3000 grit sandpaper or emery cloth and finish off with Flitz you can get the fork looking like chrome. I've done this on a lot of polished aluminum ans stainless steel parts.
I have to do that this winter.was dreading it.but eh...you gave me the inspiration.dont look so bad. Thanks
DAAAAAAAAAAMN!!!! I've always been too lazy to clean my forks up but I think it's my project today!! Thanks Bernbo!!!
Have fun with it brad, I'd say it's a 2 beer job.
Takeiteass!
Cheers! Thanks for leading the way!
Nice.
Good idea!
In addition, I can't help but think if you remove the fender and front wheel, you could really get at all of the fork leg, plus reduce the chance of damaging, scratching them. I'm going to try this with my Road King. I think I'll start with a slightly finer grit sandpaper though. Still, awesome. Nicely produced video too.Thank you!
Franz Volpi thank you. It would make it less of a chance for scratching the fender for sure. I did manage to get all the way around them though with some patience lol. Cheers bro!
Exactly
Do you have the numbers of the sandpaper do you use .... thank you Looks great
Thanks man.
I started with 80, but you could probably start with 100 really then I just went to a 180 then I think it was 220. You could go to a 320 to get even a better shine, it's all about how much time you want to invest. For me it was a quick and easy low buck fix without killing myself. Cheers
Okay, now I'm totally geeked to restore the lower (aluminum) forks on my just-purchased bike! Inspiring!!!
Right on Glenn, have fun with the project.
Been using Blue Magic for 15 years.... best stuff ever. Polish dull fiberglass boat hulls, and even faded headlight lenses.
And go finer and finer... then onto a high speed buffer. I use a dremal with polish bit for the tight spots and I end up with a chrome finish on my fork lowers. If you go that far any scratch shows and you may need to sand the scratch out finer and finer until you polish again. It can be a job but the results are show quality mirror chrome finish.
vf12497439 that's the beauty of working with aluminum, you can come up with a variety of looks. Like you said it's how for do you want to take it. Cheers!
Nice work. 👍🏽🤠 5/22/23
Thanks mate!! Helped me understand what to so with my vstar forks.
Can you help guide how to change the top seals of my 2007 vstar 1100 custom
Sorry bro, wish I could help you with that, but that's something I have never done before.
Wow I was looking at hot to remove n replace mine cause they look like crap....now I know what I'm doing my next rainy day off...awesome glad this video found me...
Used this on my bike, awesome result. Now for my family's mountain bikes!
Which number of sand you use.
Hello Sir. A very informative video. Can you specify what grades of Sand paper you have used to get the forks squeaky clean.
I would say those sanding blocks were 100 to 120 then 180 to 220. The finer the grit at the end of the project the better. Cheers bro
Way cool. I bought a bike years ago from the Inland Empire that had pristine forks. Brought it home to Seal Beach, CA, and within six weeks the forks were noticeably corroded by the salt air at the beach. I cleaned them up with a flapper wheel in a cordless drill and chrome polish and had to keep after it ever after.
Yah I think that may be the case here as well, the salt air can really do a number on this stuff. Cheers!
YOUR AWESOME. THANKS FOR THE TIPS.
That was awesome! Thank you. Thought I would have to restore my forks by shelling out a lot if $, now my forks look great, for less then $5. Thanks bro! Awesome video.
That's awesome to hear the video helped you out. Thank you for your feedback. Cheers bro!
I followed this example. Except my front tire and fender is currently off my bike. Hopefully finish up tomorrow.
Right on Randy.
Never forget seeing this for the first time and was so pleased with my results and Blue magic is still the best polish i have ever used but would never have known about it had i not seen this video just a shame its $18 with shipping in the UK only $7 in USA thanks again
That's AWESOME Martin, thanks for the feedback bro. Cheers
Thanks man my wife’s sporty has been driven me crazy with trying to polish the front forks. Will definately given that a go.
Andy C Right on Andy, Good luck with it. The finer you go the better the shine bro. Cheers
Hey Bernbo. Man tried your way, off the planet awesome results. Your the man. My wife loves the results. 10/10
Andy C Awesome man. Thanks for the update bro. Love hearing feedback like this. Takeiteass 🥂
i did not know you could do that. I was just about to order new ones for my XL50.. thanks alot man.. saved me some $$.. 👍👍👍👍👍
I sanded for an hour without stopping. looking great. daylight and dark between the other side. now for some 600 grit and blue magic. thanks Bernbo
That's great man, happy to hear it. Cheers!
They look good! Gonna do the same to my clear coated fxdl asap, go with highest possible grit or 3m scotch pads, my friend is a bodyman, he prefers them when possible, I found White Diamond to be easiest to use on aluminum and chrome, melts oxidation with little to no effort then I use my buffer and clearcoat wax. Almost gets a chrome finish. Luckily I have an auto paint store 5 min away with guys that really know what works on what!
White diamond what?
@@porkchopspapi5757 chrome cleaner
Great help ….rusty front disc ..same thing ? 🇦🇺
I wouldn't touch the braking surface itself, but you could hit the rest of the disk with some steel wool.
Or better yet some metal polish
Amazing work! What's the number of the sandpaper? And thank you very much for share. Big hug!
Thank you, I really am not sure as to the grits, my best guess would be starting with 100 down to 220. You could go even finer grit to get a better shine. Just keep the grain the same for a nice finish.
Awesome. I was just wondering how to tackle the same job with my bike. Much needed info!
Big thank you. I was considering replacing my fork slider on my 2011 HD SG, $500 for the set. This will do for now!
i was thinking the same thing until I saw his video .
Nice, thank you. This is what I’m planning on doing to my forks this weekend. 👍🏻
This was so helpful, time to get to sanding! Thank you so much for this video!!
Nice. Looks great. Now for me to get some sand paper grits, and some elbow grease. Thanks.
Really good video man. Well done! You've given me the confidence to take mine on now. Thanks for that.
Thanks a LOT for this. I just got my Dyna last week and the forks are exactly like yours were. Since I’m in japan I don’t really have the language skills to ask some bike shop about this. Instead you provided the answer and with a great video. Can’t wait to start tomorrow. Cheers from Shizuoka !!
Very happy to hear that the video helped you out, have fun with the project. Cheers
Thank you! My forks on my Shadow have been pitted with corrosion since I got it a few years ago and couldn't figure out how to clean them up. This helps!
That's great man, happy to hear the vid helped you out. Good luck with it.
Cheers!
DS Entertainment Network thanks for the tip, ill have to check it out. Cheers
Thank you so much for showing us how to clean the forks, I'm excited to try this out on my bike!
Richard D. Thanks for watching the vid. Cheers
Look brand spanking new. Need to clean mine too and it never occurred to me to use sand paper. Thanks for the video 😎
Hey thanks for sharing this. Restoring a 94 XR250L and the forks we as bad as yours... was not sure if sanding was the right solution but you proved it is!
Right on, cheers!
Thank you!! Been looking for weeks since I bought this motorcycle how to clean these damn forks best video I have found
Great video, saved me $500 + for chromed lowers
Man thanks. I have two bikes that I bought used and the forks look like that. I was wondering how to clean them up. Now I know. Thanks for the advice.
Right on James, hope it all goes well. Cheers
Did it today. It looks great. And I skipped a few grits. Lol.
The blue magic is awesome.
@@flyerscout2 Awesome James, love hearing the feedback. Lol skip some grits eh whatever works bro that's what I say. If it looks great at the end you did it right. Cheers🍻 brother
Very nice. I wonder if a clear coat would prevent it from happening again ?
It might protect it for a few years but I think it would eventually happen again.
NONONONOooo...I kept thinking thru this about polishing ANY METAL, and the worst NOOB mistake would .be to SKIP a grit...and you just skipped TEN, leaving you with an, at best, satiny finish.
No doubt this was time & labor effective, but by going thru the mill...let's say, 80, 100, 220, 320, 600, 800, 1000, and 2000 before hitting the metal polish ( a good choice btw), your forks would have that deep alumnum shine (NOT the surface flash of chrome), that actually compliments chrome so well, and be a little easier to maintain, once the work was done.
There are some limitations to the Harley metal ( like my Fatboy rims) that may keep you from finding gold, but ALL efforts will show results in the end.
I an NOT dissing you,. just sharing MY way of looking at it. I still enjoyed the video.
BTW, ALL of you should drain a drop of oil from both forks and inspect it: Harley's recommended maintenance interval may have you scratching your head, as you find a thin black ink coming out instead of some nice caramel colored oil....CHANGE IT!!!
Gary Chandler thanks Gary. So true with the grits. But I am very happy with the finished product. I may go back one day and do the full meal deal. Thanks for watching the video bro. Cheers!
@@bernbo Enjoyed the video and the result was great. I think that you used the proper grits as the resultant finish is so nice. It is hard to polish around these parts but once it is done it is easy to maintain. I find that polishing alloy is better than having that clear paint from the factory left on it. That clear when it starts to go goes in patches leaving some areas shiny and some areas just looking corroded and bad. Great video as usual Bernbo and easy to see how to do the job properly.
@@7316bobe I know I could have taken it a lot further, but this really was all I was looking for, just a clean up. Did not want to take it to that chrome look. It was a big pay off with not a lot of work. Ride safe, Cheers!
Great job! I have an 03 Vstar Custom 1100 I want to shine up to sell. I started w/🎿100 grit 'cause 80 sounded a little rough. Will now go to to 80 grit & see how it goes.
80 is a bit course for sure, 100 is fine to start with.
😂😂love it that was hilarious how you made your hand look like an electric sander
Very useful video mate ...i made my fork look new ... Thanks 👍
great job, how did they old over time?
They have held up very well, couple of buff ups a year to maintain.
Thanks for the demo. My experience has been the metric folk will oxidize so quickly. Bet, the process would work on cooling fins and engine blocks. I'd suggest blue tap on the painted parts (Fender) to allow you to get in close/ Or remove the fender completely. It looks like the brake disc could use attention too
thomas nanninga yah man, brake disc needs some love now lol.
I only noticed it cause I will be doing my front brakes soon and was thinking I'd polish the discs. I'm going to remove the tire/wheel to clean up stuff.
Awesome video man. Brilliant. Just what I needed to know to tidy up the pitted forks on my CBF
Good Job!
I went with 3M pads (two different grits) then 00 steel wool with Flitz polish. It polishes and leaves a protective coating.
Nice
I just stumbled across your channel and I am really impressed with the improvement on your fork tubes! I'm definitely subscribing! Thanks!
That's again!!! Just got a '99 Kawasaki Voyager XII that needs this done. It's the replacement for my old Honda 1100 Shadow that I totaled when the deer ran out in front of me. I had made some really cool floorboards for it thanks to your vid. Stay safe out there.
Dam, hit a deer, hope you didn't get hurt on that. That's cool you made floorboards for it. Had a close call with o deer just a couple of weeks ago, we have tons of them around here. Congrats on the Voyager XII. Ride safe