Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:48 am 
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Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 20
I offer vintage fork leg refinishing for any Japanese machined aluminum lowers (Showa or Kayaba). Obviously anodized or chromed legs do not apply! My goal is to get as close to the original factory finish as possible, with the added benefit of gloss clear powder coat final finish for durability. This looks original, but avoids the common corrosion problems of the old thin laquer that was used in the 1960's and 70's. This is a specialty that evolved from my restoration work, and involves about 14 steps- I consider every set a new challenge, and I don't take shortcuts or watch the clock. It takes however long it takes. To me, it's all about attention to detail and craftsmanship.

While corrosion can be worked out, the biggest issue with dirt bike fork legs is pitting, gouges, hacks, and scratches. The better the existing condition, the better the results I can achieve for you. That said, owners have been pleasantly surprised at how much damage can be greatly lessened or blended out. I intentionally don't over polish or "over restore" these parts- all rough cast sections are left as is, and all stamped factory numbers and letters are kept. Finish is a satin machine brushed look.

I do all work myself including ultrasonic cleaning and powder coating to control quality and turn around times. Turn around time is 7-10 days- your parts will not disappear for months! I communicate well, and will send you pictures of your completed legs for final approval before return. I have lots of experience doing this and stand behind my work.

Cost is $125 pr. (plus return shipping).
Interested and want more details, pictures, or references? Please drop me a line at: sandman800ss@hotmail.com
Thank you!

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Last edited by sandman on Tue Nov 26, 2013 6:09 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 1:09 pm 
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Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:10 pm
Posts: 1010
Location: Connecticut, USA
Wow, beautiful work!

I know what you mean about over polishing... I had my sliders done by a machinist who did a great job removing nicks etc, then buffed them till they were almost like chrome. They looked great for a week or two, then started to show every little brush scrape and gravel graze. I think your brushed-type finish looks the best the longest.

Ray

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'74 CR125M (175cc), '75 MR175, '82 RM250Z, '08 YZ250F, '14 Zero FX electric, '14 Zero MX electric, '18 Alta MXR electric


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 3:21 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:02 am
Posts: 47
Location: Nashville, TN
Looks awesome! I'm doing this to my MR250 fork legs right now. It's a pain staking process. I'm just sanding out the scratches and years of nasty though.


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PostPosted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 7:12 am 
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Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:35 pm
Posts: 344
Nice. I will definitely keep you in mind next time I am rebuilding a bike or hear of any friends needing this done.


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:21 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 20
Update- yes, I am still offering this service, all dirt and street models. Just completed 1975 Yamaha forks:


Last edited by sandman on Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:22 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:13 pm
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:23 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:13 pm
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Reach me at:
sandman800ss@hotmail.com

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:27 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2014 8:09 am
Posts: 1
thanks alex, got forks back yesterday and they look even better than expected.
kerry


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PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:00 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 20
Thank you for the good feedback, Kerry- it's a pleasure doing refinishing work for you!


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 3:06 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 20
Honda CR480 and 250 forks + shock reservoir work peices- thanks Max and Leeroy!

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PostPosted: Sun May 24, 2015 3:36 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:13 pm
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I'd like to thank forum member Tom for the opportunity to refinish a few of his 1974 CR125 parts. They came out great I think, that's my favorite oem appearing satin black. I'm looking forward to seeing pics when it's finished. I know it'll be sweet!

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PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 6:59 pm 
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Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2014 5:16 pm
Posts: 9
Thats my Elisinore parts Alex just did for me and I just sent him another box of parts. I really can't believe how nice they came out, how fast he did them and the communication from Alex. i couldn't restore this bike without help and I sure found it with Alex and Marbles Motors in Oklahoma. Tom


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PostPosted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 8:30 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 20
1973 CR250 legs just refinished- all original details retained. They just look wrong if they're too highly polished and all originality is erased. I am going to be doing the satin black for it as well, will post when completed. This is going to be one sweet Elsinore!
sandman800ss@hotmail.com
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