still restoring my 1984 200x have som question...Ill post some more pics very soon...

[ATC90JAY]

What can you clean your forks and tree with to make them shine again?

Is it ok to somewhat powerwash the whole bike? The engine area is pretty dirty.....

Thanks to all who have helped me get my bikes running!!!


Ride Red ~~~~~~~Jay

[DohcBikes]

As far as power washing, ya sure but think like water when you do it, and if you don't know, water thinks "I'm gonna get in wherever he let's me get in!"LOL so make sure you close off anything you think might be open.

Do it with the engine cold, I've seen exhaust crack right in half when sprayed hot.

My favorite way to clean trees and forks is to paint or powder coat them:lol::beer

[rg97]

I'm not sure what you have available but media blasting the trees (not the forks) and giving them a fresh coat of paint/powder coat makes them look pretty darn nice. Or, you can get them polished for like $120 if you get them down to the bare metal and send them somewhere. Once again not sure what you want to do with that. I dont think that there is a "miracle-in-a-can" that will make your parts look brand new. You could try some degreaser and a soft towel and clean it up with a high grit (200-300) or buffing wheel on a die grinder but all of the nooks and crannies make it tough
On your forks it depends on the type of "dirt." My forks up around the trees have some rust spots on them and there is not really anything you can do about that without ruining the chrome plating. If its just surface dirt I would use a degreaser and then rub them down with something like a windex.

Pressure washing is fine but if you have a high power pressure washer then try not to keep pressure on the same spot for too long or else it will start removing paint

[ATC90JAY]

Thanks Dohc!! Putting back together today!!! I just did the rear brakes working great!! Just put on the new ITP Rims with Kenda Claw tires...Love them!!!!!! I will put up some pics soon...Before & After........

[jb2wheels]

I pressure wash the new-to-me trikes when I get them. They can be real grungy and I hate working on other people's dirt.

I tape off intake and exhaust holes and avoid them and electricals with the nozzle.

I glass bead triple trees and fork lowers but I don't polish or coat them but they'd probably polish up nicely in the right hands. Sometimes I'll follow up with scotch-brite and WD40.

I used wire wheels for this in the past, but the cabinet is better.

I don't even take the forks apart anymore. It's easier to keep the insides clean by keeping them together when they go into the cabinet. I pull the springs out, compress them, and cover the upper/inner tubes with masking tape.

185557

185558

185559

185560

185561