How do you get rid of rust in the fork tubes?

[hobojon]

Taking off the old headlight ears and using brackets and I really dont want the ugly rust sticking out in an otherwise cherry bike. Do anyone know of a way of getting rid of it? Any possible solutions? I was CONSIDERING shrinking wrapping the top 5" of the tubes but I would rather not..
Thanks,
Jon

 

[lloydie73]

I have the same problem. The treatments I normally use for light rust haven't worked. Just yesterday I asked a re-plating company for a quote. I'll let you know.


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[xb33bsa]

paint !! wtf are you building a swiss watch ;D

 

[bradj]

paint !! wtf are you building a swiss watch ;D

+1

 

[mathil]

The rust means that the chrome is gone in the rusted areas. Even if you take the rust away, you'll be left with a pitted, bare steel area.

If you want pristine you either need to replate, or you need to buy new tubes.

 

[hobojon]

I wait with tingling toes for the replating cost How crap would it look to chrome paint the tubes?

 

[xb33bsa]

you could always find some thinwall aluminum tube to slip over and polish that
or copper or brass or stainless steel
hit up your nearby scrapyard or home supply store

 

[lloydie73]

$532 + tax. Stripped, and 3 part hard chrome.

I can get new tubes made in Italy for $400, 4 week lead time though.

I think I'll paint these ones, and get them on the bike, so I can put it all together, while I consider which way to go.


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[cxman]

franks is the best in the business and where i get all my new tubes made

contact them its way cheaper to have a new one made than redo old ones and the new tubes he makes are stronger and better alloys

http://forking-by-frank.com/

 

[Maritime]

My vote is paint as long as there is no rust in the travel area of the forks, but that's cause I am on a very limited budget for motorcycle stuff. If you want like new and can spend a few bucks, CXman's solution is the best.

 

[HolyRoller]

In my experience... you just need to find out what other bikes (or the same bike) has similar tubes... and find some nice minty ones... you will pay far less than ordering new tubes. Additionally, you might be able to get some updated and better tube from another bike with similar diameter tubes... at half the cost of new tubes. Its worth a thought or two....

 

[xb33bsa]

and with the money you save get some race tech gold valves and a fork brace
how they work is more important anywho

 

[lloydie73]

Thanks @cxman, I've sent frank an enquiry too. You guys are so lucky in the States, spoiled for choice.


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[Titan performance]

XB33BSA gave you the answer.....without re-hard chroming the legs you can't get rid of the mess, even if you clean off the rust. Find some stainless tube with an ID compatible with your fork OD, cut it to length, mirror polish it, and slip it over. There are lots of pieces of tube on Ebay...at least there are in the UK. We do this on our builds all the time. Nobody will ever know what you have done, or even notice. We also get some heavy rubber O rings and sit the tube on these at either end. It works a treat, and is by far the best solution.

 

[lloydie73]

USD279 for fork tubes by Frank. Best option available to me, I think.


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[cxman]

Frank is the man they have been doing this a long time and do good work on time