taking apart forks

[erbilabuc]

Im taking apart forks to powdercoat lowers black. any help?

[Jay_wolf]

Ben2go is the forks man , havent seen him around for a few days , im sure Dygver will Chip in also

[scottpA_GS]

 The only hard part is the bolt in the bottom of the tube. you may need a special tool to remove it. sometimes you get lucky and can remove it by compressing the shocks but sometimes its not that easy

Joefromsf and Kerry have a great post on how they made the "special tool"

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=7084.0



I got lucky, I work at a suzuki dealer and just took em to work and used the tool there 

The rest is as simple as removing the front wheel, brakes, and loosening the top and bottom clamps. Be sure and loosen the top bolts on the forks (where the fluid pours in) w/ a socket wrench before you loosen the forks from the clamps 

[erbilabuc]

I was actually reading the "bad day of wrenching" FAQ". My only question now is the dust seals? Can I get away with reusing them? Its an 06 with 1700 miles. We are just powdercoating everything that is silver on the forks to black.

[spc]

god tell me you mean everything *except* the tubes.   Please tell me you weren't planning on powdercoating the tubes!!!!!!!
That would be a bad idea.  Very bad idea.

[scottpA_GS]

I was actually reading the "bad day of wrenching" FAQ". My only question now is the dust seals? Can I get away with reusing them? Its an 06 with 1700 miles. We are just powdercoating everything that is silver on the forks to black.

I wouldn't re-use em... They are fairly cheap to replace


But if they look to be in good condition I don't see much harm 

[dgyver]

I was actually reading the "bad day of wrenching" FAQ". My only question now is the dust seals? Can I get away with reusing them? Its an 06 with 1700 miles. We are just powdercoating everything that is silver on the forks to black.

They should be fine to reuse at their limited use. Normally I would say to replace them. Heck, they are less than $20.

[erbilabuc]

god tell me you mean everything *except* the tubes.   Please tell me you weren't planning on powdercoating the tubes!!!!!!!
That would be a bad idea.  Very bad idea.

you know what I meant. I am actually looking for a plater to do the tubes in a black coating like what suzuki does to their cyclinders on the gsxrs and inside the motor

[dgyver]

......
I am actually looking for a plater to do the tubes in a black coating like what suzuki does to their cyclinders on the gsxrs and inside the motor

I can ask at work who does some of our plating. We have a good bit of our mold tooling plated for wearing problems, mostly chrome and TIN. We make plastic injected molded components.

[dgyver]

Here is the company that does work for us: www.cr-plating.com
I called and Bill Jr. was not there today. He does a lot with custom bikes, so he the one to talk to.

[lilbill]

That tool which ScottpA_GS mentioned works like a charm...if you cannot find a 16"+ bolt, I made it with two 8" bolts and a coupler between the two.

Make sure to keep us updated on how those forks turn out...should be pretty cool

BTW dgyver, any idea on what re-chroming a set of pitted tubes would cost?

[dgyver]

Dunno. No time today to call. Feel free to contact them yourself.

[coll0412]

BTW dgyver, any idea on what re-chroming a set of pitted tubes would cost?

Probably more than it cost to buy some used ones 


Also if you can not find a 16" bolt you can also do it with a long piece of threaded rod and 4 nuts and 2 lock washers.

[lilbill]

Thanks a bunch...prolly look for some used ones

[ben2go]

It's all here BABE.I can't add much more.Just make sure you have plenty of rags,a container to pour the oil into,and replace the oil with a quality oil.It's measured from the top of the tube with the fork colapsed and the spring/spacer out.Fork oil level should be 3.9 inches from the top of the tube with stock internals.4.4 with progressives or aftermarket springs.I hope this helps any questions,just ask.


Ben

My tool.Sorry the pix suk.Thats a long reach 8mm allen socket bout 5$-9$ at advanced auto.2 5/8 bolts 10 inches long and a coupler,just under $10 at Lowes.Take a 15/16 socket with you as the heads are not as tight fitting.The threaded rod has its draw backs.The nuts have to be right at the end of the rod and usually loosen while you're trying to remove the internals.

[sledge]

black fork legs???...... Dont do it.......they just wont look right on a bike like the GS5 and will put future buyers off, but its a free world and each to their own I guess.

[erbilabuc]

black fork legs???...... Dont do it.......they just wont look right on a bike like the GS5 and will put future buyers off, but its a free world and each to their own I guess.

Well unless you have a picture of one with exactly what I am going to do or you own one...................... then there is only one way to find out. Should be done by middle of November

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

IMHO, the black fork legs would look good on the '04+ GS500s with the black frames... otherwise, it'll be off..

[sledge]

I have painted legs black on other bikes before in an attempt to improve the looks and its never worked, either for the bike and me and at least one other person shares my view........but as I said earlier.....each to their own. Why not wrap some black PVC tape or Sticky-backed plastic sheet around the leg to give you an idea of the look before you commit.