Stripping clearcoat off the forks.

[Anti-Dive Dave]

I shall show my age here again, that being 186. (oh god...here he goes again.... )

I was always a fan of the paintstripper called "NitroMors".  But the busy bodies at the European Community (a foreign government who makes rules for us) banned the contents that made it the best stripper on the market (not to be confused with Naughty Nadine, who, at 92 years old and for $5 an houir, is also the best stripper on the market).

Anyhoo - Nitromors used to have dichloromethane and methanol in it.  Not anymore.  Now, the Nitromors marketed today is, well, shite.

So, I go back to old skool polishing ways.  Cheap paint stripper to provide me a base to work on. Various grades of wet and dry to cut to a smooth surface.  Loyblocks (now called Garyflex, which are rubber blocks impregnated with different grate grit) for the inbetween bits I can't get to (the blocks can be cut and trimmed).

Once I get the alloy suitable for taking on polish, it's out with the plenty rags (ripped up bed cotton sheets) and Solvol Autosol. Yes - a tube of metal polish.

Starting with 000 grade steel wool (the finest you can get), I apply the autosaol to that and just sit for ages working in little circles.

Within an hour, my fingers are dead, but the shine you get is almost on par with a drill or buff.

To polish just one fork leg by hand from clearcoat start to "you could shave in that finish" can take me about 4 hours.

Nearly all my bike rims, casings, forks legs or rocker covers have been polished the same old fashioned way.  Which explains a lot about me really.  In a sad way. 

[Steve_in_Florida]

Dave,
You *COULD* turn your obsession into a money-making sideline, if you so desire.

...just a thought.

Steve

[Anti-Dive Dave]

He's here with us tonight folks!....yes indeed!.....fresh, from Saturday Night Live....give it up for....Steve_in_Florida.



A money making sideline Steve?  Mwahahahahaha!!!  Stop it!   

It takes me so long to do one item by hand and poor little fingers, that a guy with a drill and buffy thing what goes onto a bench grinder can do in 10 minutes!

He'd have 2 fork legs and 2 side casings done, and I'd still be sat in the back room, with the one generator screwed down on a piece of wood only half done.

Is there anyone that lives close to Steve?  if so, can they drive up and kick is ass for me?  I'd do it meself, but I can't swim....

Oh man....it's good to laugh!    

One good thing has come out of this after all these years polishing by hand.  It makes yer wrist muscles extremely strong.

And that means one has the capability to last for ages!

Polishing that is....not whatever you guys were thinking.....

Perverts.  Sheesh!

[Steve_in_Florida]

It takes me so long to do one item by hand and poor little fingers, that a guy with a drill and buffy thing what goes onto a bench grinder can do in 10 minutes!

Just an idea to help keep you off the streets!

[Anti-Dive Dave]

Yup - good thinking there, in keeping me off the streets.  I'm a menace to society donchaknow.  A danger to myself, and a hazard to others. 

A social vampire, who has the ability to suck the life out of anyone that gets too close.

An old fart who drives like I should have 2 men way out front waving red flags. 

Don't you worry, when they come and take me off the streets for good, I will guarantee that I will have the shineist strap buckles in the entire locked ward. 

That's if they manage to stop me from eating the metal polish first. 

Now, if you'll all excuse me...I feel the need for a song as I sit huddled in the corner, rocking back and forth...

                  "no-body likes me...every-body hates me...think I'll go an eat worms......" 

[SlowOldGuy]

Just an idea to help keep you off the streets!

And away from the computer for a few minutes!  :-)

DavidR.

[I make oil]

 :scratch_one-s_head:okay.......

David your forks look great.  I have a set From an 89 I'm goin to install soon.  They look good now but mabe I should just go ahead and powder coat them before I install....  Another project!