America front forks clean up

[devo]

For some silly reason Triumph decided on the later models of the america and speedmaster (mine is 07 )to change from a painted finish on the fork lowers to a raw ali look with clear coat over, probably to save a buck or two,as I can clearly state that the finish quality on my 07 isnt a patch on the 04 speedy that I had.
Anyway,wot happens is,the clear coat looks fine until you get a couple of stone chips in it,then the moisture gets behind it and it starts to blister and look horrible
Anyway,after looking at sea dogs fork polishing job,I figured it was time to get on with it.

up close

a quick hieght reference shot for re assembly

see wot you made me do SD

after removing the bulk of the clearcoat with paint stripper,I've given it a run over with a stripping wheel in the electric drill.

next step is buffing with the various polishing grades.
To be continued.

 

[Sketchy Snr]

You should put some Gaiters on while you got the forks out

 

[devo]

Must admit mal,that looks alright,but I think I'll stick with the shrouds.

 

[Rocky]

Looking good

 

[DaveM]

Very nice job Harry

 

[CarlS]

Good post and good photos, Harry. I agree with Mal on the gaiters. I put then on my T100 after I had to redo my fork tubes because of stone chips, sand blasting, etc.

 

[devo]

yes you actually had me thinking on the gaiters there for a minute,then I realised they wouldnt work with my tool roll,and where else would I keep my bits n bobs

 

[Rocky]

The only problem with bare aluminum is that they will tarnish, but if you don't let it go too far it only takes a bit of Autosol and a liitle elbow grease to keep them gleaming.

 

[devo]

entirely agree with you rocky, and I learned today that a coat of wax will keep them looking good longer.
But even if you do have to hit them with autosol occasionally,at least you can bring them back to looking good,whereas with the failed lacquer coat your history.

 

[CarlS]

entirely agree with you rocky, and I learned today that a coat of wax will keep them looking good longer.
But even if you do have to hit them with autosol occasionally,at least you can bring them back to looking good,whereas with the failed lacquer coat your history.

Spot on.

 

[DaveM]

yes you actually had me thinking on the gaiters there for a minute,then I realised they wouldnt work with my tool roll,and where else would I keep my bits n bobs

You could put your tool roll at the bottom in front of the motor as I have mine.

 

[CarlS]

Now that's a good location; I had not thought of that.

 

[DaveM]

Like this

 

[CarlS]

It looks really good. Very well done.

 

[devo]

You could put your tool roll at the bottom in front of the motor as I have mine.

Thing is Dave,I keep my compact camera in there as well.
Can you imagine the burns on my arms getting that in and out all the time.

 

[DaveM]

Yes if you have your camera in it then this position would not do at all.

 

[Sketchy Snr]

Thing is Dave,I keep my compact camera in there as well.
Can you imagine the burns on my arms getting that in and out all the time.

Yes I could

 

[devo]

Yes I could

hmmmm had forgotten about that

 

[Sketchy Snr]

Like this

Just tried attaching mine down there Dave but it doesn't look as good as yours the way it sits. Plus you must have good legs as I had a heck of a time trying to get back up again

 

[devo]

well,got one done so heres a comparison pic
I got a problem now as well
the forks are looking so good the wheel is going to look rubbish