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Forks do not look nice anymore....

Gazdok

Cruisin' Guzzisti
Joined
Oct 27, 2008
Messages
122
Location
GB
My Breva is about 15 years old but still looking quite o.k., except for the forks. As I ride through the winters I guess this does not help, but there is not much I can polish out and buff up anymore and I am considering a new coat of paint.

While I am quite o.k. with paints on other surfaces I have never done forks on a bike.

What is the easiest way of doing this or the least complicated approach.
My thoughts were - every thing off the front end and forks out, spray and put the bike bike back together.

Has anyone actually done this before?
 
I am not familiar with the details of the Breva forks, but on every bike I've owned that had polished or painted fork sliders, I dismantled the forks to whatever extent required in order to free the sliders, cleaned and degreased them thoroughly, sealed and masked all openings, used paint remover or a walnut shell blaster to remove old paint and corrosion as required, and then painted or repolished the sliders. And then reassembled the fork and filled them with fresh oil. It's probably a good idea to change the fork seals while you're in there.

On some bikes, getting the fork sliders off is a simple matter of boosting up the front end an a lift or hoist, dropping the brake, wheel, and fender assemblies, taking the bolts out of the bottom of the sliders, and pulling the sliders off the fork tubes. But I'd look up what's needed to do this for the Breva forks ... I don't think it would work for my V7III Racer, for example; I'd have to pull the fork tubes out of the clamps and dismantle them on a bench, I think.

G
 
Disassembly and powdercoating is probably the best alternative. Haven't done myself, but seems paint wouldn't be as durable as powdercoat.
 
Disassembly and powdercoating is probably the best alternative. Haven't done myself, but seems paint wouldn't be as durable as powdercoat.

Powder coat is good for this, usually, but depending on who does the job can cause distortion of the slider if the curing oven's temperature isn't well regulated (and too hot), and powder coating implies a very thorough cleaning of all surfaces and very clean sealing and closing of all apertures and threads. The surface finish options and color for powdercoat is often a bit limited too. The last time I did this, I had my sliders painted at a good paint shop with a matched dark metallic gray epoxy paint. The finish never faded or chipped in the time I had that bike.
 
On some bikes, getting the fork sliders off is a simple matter of boosting up the front end an a lift or hoist, dropping the brake, wheel, and fender assemblies, taking the bolts out of the bottom of the sliders, and pulling the sliders off the fork tubes. But I'd look up what's needed to do this for the Breva forks ... I don't think it would work for my V7III Racer, for example; I'd have to pull the fork tubes out of the clamps and dismantle them on a bench, I think.
G

Forks have to be completely removed. The new seals are the last item installed because the bushings on the fork tubes would cut a seal if they are installed first. Since you have to take it apart, it could be a good time to upgrade by adding https://gtmotocycles.com/collections/suspension/products/norgebreva-fork-kit
 
I am planing to remove and paint the forks.
As I have not done much to forks other than loosen and tighten the triple tree, is there anything specific when removing / installing forks?
Are there any instructions available? The handbook / workshop manual does not give much advice.
 
Breva 1100 forks are easy to remove from the bike and install. The handle bar risers ensure they are equal height on install. The disassembly and assembly of the fork is a different matter. You could remove the forks yourself, then have a reputable shop disassemble then re-assemble. Be sure to use anti seize compound when installing the fender mounting screws.
 
Did them on my Norge in May. easy strip down, no probs. I used Hammerite smooth silver colour which I must admit looked very good.
As usual plenty of prep and not rushing the coats is the key to a good finish
 
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