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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Need brushed finish on aluminum motorcycle forks

The shop I am with restores vintage dirt bikes. We are looking for a way to achieve a "brushed" finish on fork sliders(lower part of the front suspension), that is consistent and relatively easy to apply. The parts are irregular diameter aluminum cylinders about 2 1/2 feet long with some protrusions for wheel and brake mounting points the make turning them on a lathe for sanding (which I have done with limited success)difficult. I am open to ideas for both equipment and technique.

Thanks for any help.

Travis Bonine
Motorcycle restoration - Arma, Kansas, USA
2003

The answer depends on your volume. It sounds that you have low volume, in which case; I recommend that you go to a hand buffing wheel type system. These are relatively inexpensive. If your volume is high and/or you can afford an semiautomatic system,you might want to consider a mass finishing tub type vibratory system using steel media. See what Cyclear/Memphis Shades parts look like.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2003

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