Sand/stone chips on front forks

Mtec · 07-05-2011, 04:37 AM

Just noticed while washing the bike last weekend that the front forks (above the front fender) has some sand/stone chips on it. The bike has done almost 8000kms and it looks like its going to look battered with more mileage. Is there any way I can protect the forks? A battered gold fork really would be ugly.

YELLOPER1L · 07-05-2011, 07:48 AM

Do you live in a sandy environment; i.e. by the coast somewhere? Post some photos so we can see the damage.

I know you can get 3M paint protector kits but I'm not sure if they include a section for the forks or not. It might be worth a look.

S1000RR ROB · 07-05-2011, 11:10 AM

u can get thick clear tape for mx bikes that is for forks

V8M3 · 07-05-2011, 11:23 AM

I had my bike clear bra'ed by a local who came to my house. Maybe there is someone in your area that can install this for you?

Deadsp1 · 07-05-2011, 12:50 PM

Ive always used vinyl for the front forks,used it on my sp for 4 years and the forks stayed MINT! Just make sure you get the thick stuff,cut to length and wrap around forks simples ;')

Mtec · 07-06-2011, 05:50 AM

Here's a shot of one of the forks - hope you guys can see the pitting . I do have the tankslapper 3M kit applied to the fairing frontal and under tail areas but have nothing on the forks. With its grooved finished I don't know if any protection film would stick properly on the forks.

Dshred · 07-06-2011, 11:43 AM

Mine actually look a little worse than yours but I try not to pay attention to it.

If you find a fix let us know.

Have you taken a close look at your headlights? Mine look like they're splattered with bugs, but it's pitting. I checked my friends 08 CBR 1000 and his lights look new. We live and ride in the same areas and have the same mileage, 8500/km. Another 8K and I won't even be able to use them.

Mtec · 07-06-2011, 10:53 PM

It was after having the bike for 3 months (at about 4000kms) that I noticed some sand & stone chips on the headlights, front fairing and front fender (near the area covering the lower forks). So I had the tankslapper kit installed soon afterwards. At that time I did not notice any pitting on the forks. After that I had a couple of fairly long distance trips done mostly on highways (averaging 140 km/h) and on some rural roads (some parts were a bit dusty but speeds were low averaging 80km/h).

I am just surprised at the rate of pitting on the forks - on my previous Fireblade it took much higher mileage for the pitting to be visible. I'm still looking for some suitable film to stick to the forks.