350X front end reassembled, Updated 4/2 w/pics...

[i58829]

*Updated with some new pics in my post on 4/2 these are the before and after shots on the front end.*

Well i decided to make a new project out of nothing instead of sitting on the couch going insane. A few weeks ago i posted some pics of my 350X and a member here posted something to the effect of 'the back of that machine looks great' so i got to thinking how can i make the front look just as good? I pulled the fork tubes off, and took them into work today so i could make it a little more presentable. This isn't a 100% chrome like finish but its good enough for me and it only took 15 min. a piece. I will have more pics as i get more and more done, but the triple tree is next (already loose in the pic of the machine showing its current status)


So to sum up the pics the first is a before shot, and the next two are of the fork tubes today before being cleaned, and the fourth is how it looks since i started this mess, TC...

[longbedGTs]

Im wanting to do the same to mine. Also to that center part of the triples(that says HONDA). Not a show finish, but something easier on the eyes. Im thinking about leaving on that registration sticker from 87(or 86, whichever) as its kinda cool. What did you use? Would a wire wheel be too course and leave "swirls" or did you use fine grit sand paper? Are you going to shoot it with some clear or anything? Looks great BTW.

[Dirtcrasher]

15 minutes a piece is fine by me!!

I don't need to be polishing my daily rider either......

[i58829]

Thanks longbed hope the X is working out well for you, as far as how to do this,

No sand paper, No wire brushes, and No clear for mine.

Here's the easy way to do this, buy a cheap bench grinder, at work we have some craftsman double sided grinders which is what i used. Then you take some scotch brite pads (measure like 9x6) and put a slot in the center. Bolt that guy onto the grinder, throw on some safety glasses, and have at it. I used the course stuff (brown in color) to get all of the junk/paint off and then put on a piece of dark red and made sure all of the swirls were going around the fork. I held the fork longways and hit it on the shorter edges so it wont to be too visible as far as the swirls go. Is it perfect, no but on the other hand it was easy and faster than waiting for spray paint to dry. After you are done mineral spirits (paint thinner) will take all of the residue off if you want to paint or clear them now would be the time. I wouldn't use polish/wax on mine because i'd hate to have it dry and leave all of the crusty white residue so i'm gonna clean them and call it done.

I think if i had been more patient i could have gotten all of the stock roughness out of them but thats not really what i'm looking for...

[GoodKarma]

You've gotten that far, might as well hit them with a buffing wheel and some rouge!

[i58829]

haha yea i thought about it, but on the other hand i dont want to spend another hour on each one. One because i'm lazy, and two because then i'd be obligated to polish everything on it.

We buff a few of the parts we make with those 3/4" wide cloth wheels and compound. That works wonders but i don't think i have the free time. I'm picking up the next project in the morning...

[nouseforaname90]

What I did with the tubes on my SX and 350X was wear off the dirty looking layer with 500 grit sand paper on an rotary sander.. then I progressively went down to I believe 2000 grit hand sanding, followed by a good buff with fine steel wool. I then used a buffer and 3M rubbing compound to buff it to a shine. Took awhile at first, but after I got used to it I could crank out a polished tube in about an hour.
Also, use Mother's polish when you are finished. Makes it look excellent.

[i58829]

no use, did you take all of the roughness out of the tubes? Like they are somewhat polished smooth stock but around the tabs and what not its a more cast appearance. I didn't take all of that off so i wasn't going to use polish thinking it may leave residue. I am going to clean em with mineral spirits and give a quick once over with nev'r'dull this evening for a presentable look...

[i58829]

Updated pics from a little bit ago. I decided to take the whole front end apart and now i'm working on getting it back together. I had to settle for a few things not being as clean as i'd like but i'm going to be ordering some stainless bolts once the cash flow will allow it. I'm very happy with the way it cleaned up, its not so nice i wont want to ride it.

So future plans are, get the whole thing together weds. and then in the next couple weeks, i want to get the stainless bolts, braided brakes lines for the front and rear, and install the black for boots. Then it can go back to collecting dust in the corner...

[i58829]

Since i like talking to myself on 3ww, here's a picture of the machine before and two today after i got it put back together. I can't wait for a stainless bolt kit so i can rid of the black painted ones...

[ceaserthethird]

What size are the Fast Trekkers ?

[andnuaa]

Where can I get a set of those rear tire I would like them for my 350x

[i58829]

They are 20x10-10 on 8x10 itp c-series wheels. Those are the buffed blems from ebay i think they were like 80 bucks shipped. The one has a cosmetic issue (still 100% functional) on the bead and the other looked fine to me. I'm thinking of grabbing a pair of the 20x10-8's for some other wheels i have laying around. Plus i have a 50.00 ebay credit for some reason, TC...