SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550
Was front forks originally painted?
K2-K6:
This may help in appreciating what happens https://aerospacemetalsllc.com/what-is-aluminum-chromate-conversion-coating/ it effectively alters the surface of the material and can look like a paint finish.
K2-K6:
And this one https://www.besttechnologyinc.com/surface-finishing/what-is-alodine-chem-film-chromate-conversion-coating/
Kelly E:
If you think the Honda castings are rough check out 80's Suzuki castings. They are so rough I had to use files to smooth them out after a brake fluid bath to remove the factory coating. Then I sanded them with 400grit. For the final pass I don't sand them with linear strokes, only around the circumference. It gives a nice satin finish. Here's before and after.
philward:
--- Quote from: Kelly E on March 18, 2022, 09:20:12 PM ---If you think the Honda castings are rough check out 80's Suzuki castings. They are so rough I had to use files to smooth them out after a brake fluid bath to remove the factory coating. Then I sanded them with 400grit. For the final pass I don't sand them with linear strokes, only around the circumference. It gives a nice satin finish. Here's before and after.
--- End quote ---
Nice job!
Oddjob:
Interesting K2 but reading that makes me more certain it's not Chromate conversion, firstly it says there is a yellow/green iridescent tinge to it, that's not present. Secondly it also states the colour and uniformity will vary from one alloy to another, that means that for all castings the alloy must be exactly the same and that's not really possible as it can vary from batch to batch even if only slightly, in which case you'd get different results and that's not the case.
The NOS fork slider I got today was off a 750K2-K4 and you can clearly see it's been painted, some parts look polished and some are really rough like the Suzuki slider, on the rough parts you can see how the paint has pooled in the ripples in the casting, the bottom axle clamp (also NOS) is painted and not even well, it's orange peeled it's that thick. Also according to the article it doesn't have any measurable buildup so why the orange peel?
I still don't see why you can't just sand a casing etc and see for yourself, then make up your own mind. If you can think of anything besides a layer of paint after I'd be pleased to hear it as that's what it looks like to me. Go on, prove me wrong. It won't be the first time, or the last ;D ;D
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