Pitted Forks

Willsmotorcycle

Willsmotorcycle

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Joined
Oct 26, 2020
Messages
2,061
Location
Makefield Highlands PA
Bike
2016 ST1300P
2025 Miles
001084
Since my suspension is all but sorted I thought I would get some spare forks and send them to RaceTech for a full upgrade, however they have some small pitting.
I can feel it and was able to polish out the last persons attempt, but I think it may be to deep to buff out, thoughts, ideas, I'm open.

Its only in this spot on one of them
IMG_8284.jpeg
 
Once the chrome finish is pitted they are pretty much done. Take a magnifying glass and look closely at the tiny crater-like pits. Once the chrome finish is pitted the carbon steel tube begins rusting and lifting the chrome around the pit. The sharp lifted edges of chrome plate tear the seal. I have seen a fix online where epoxy fills the crater and the excess is sanded down. That looks like a lot of work and the chrome plating is still compromised.
 
Everything that @dduelin said. You might be better off buying used forks, but be careful of your source, - make sure you can return them if you don't think they are usable. And factor in shipping if you have to pay to return them.

You are going to love the Gold Valves. Discuss w/ RT exactly what you want. In my limited experience with them, they tend to set things up on the sportier side. This is not a bad thing.
 
Yes, to all of you, looks like all I really bought was some fork lowers :rolleyes: It was cheap enough and needed something to send them... I will call in the morning and see what the project really means. Thank you!
 
Just send Racetech the fork caps and dampers from inside the forks. They won't be working any suspension magic on any other part, but might replace the bushings if they need to. And I assume they will provide new springs.
 
If you want to try a cheap repair method, do a search for Super-Glue fork repair. I don't know if your tubes are still smooth enough for it to work.

When I rebuilt (long overdue) the fork on my '96 NH-750, there were several grooves along the tubes, and one had a deep black pit about 1/8" in diameter.

I searched for replacements and came across repair alternatives and found the Super-Glue method. I searched enough variations to form a single combination.

While the grooves were originally rather smooth, like the chrome was worn, but you could feel them. Now, you can still see them, but you can't feel them.

The pit is the same way. It's still black and deep-looking, but it's as smooth as glass. You can not feel anything. The rebuilt fork has had zero leakage since.
 
TerryS said:
Just send Racetech the fork caps and dampers from inside the forks. They won't be working any suspension magic on any other part, but might replace the bushings if they need to. And I assume they will provide new springs.
Click to expand...
Simple enough, good info. Thought I would hear something like that from them.
 
If pitting is not in the active part of the tube, i.e. where the seal is, you don't need to do much....
 
Willsmotorcycle said:
Since my suspension is all but sorted I thought I would get some spare forks and send them to RaceTech for a full upgrade, however they have some small pitting.
I can feel it and was able to polish out the last persons attempt, but I think it may be to deep to buff out, thoughts, ideas, I'm open.

Its only in this spot on one of them
IMG_8284.jpeg
Click to expand...
Buffed mine out and the rebuild failed within a year. YMMV.
 
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