Weird Corrosion on Lower Forks

Chips in the clearcoat.

empireghost said:

Hey everyone, Happy New Year.

I was wondering if anyone has/ had the following problem, and maybe find out how to fix it.

I've noticed that on the lower portion of my [stock] forks there is some kind of weird spotty corrosion going on. It looks almost as though the forks are dotted with snowflakes. Anybody?

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Been riding w/ salt on the roads? That's my guess. If it won't clean off w/ detailer, it sounds like it's through the clear.
If that's the case, you can polish all the clear off, or go chrome...

I agree that chips in the clearcoat is possible...also if using these sray and wash products..some are really strong chemicals on if left to dry can cause spotting...its more so on aluminum.

bugs can do it to....If you leave them on long, some can really ruin paint and all other surfaces...you will see it on yous cars front bumper as well....

I use WD40 to wipe down the forks and the chrome parts of the RK and do the same for the chrome forks on the Dyna.

Sounds as if the clear coat has been penetrated as others have already pointed out. The snow flake or spider web effect you are seeing is actually the corrosion creeping in under the clear. If it bugs you that much, pull the front fender and wheel, strip the lower legs and polish them. Recoating with clear is always an option but it will happen over and again. Once min get funky enough on the 'DX I may just paint 'em black but the bike is black so you may not want to go with paint or powder coat unless yours is black as well. May not look quite right otherwise.:dunno:

My FXR is 22 years old and the E' Glide 15 years old.

Both set of forks looks great after a little work. I start by wet sanding them with 200, 400, 600, and 800. Once that is done, I polish them up with Flitz metal polish on a drill held buffer wheel, then finish with a polish cloth.

Never went with the clear coat again, I just keep following up with the Flitz every now and then.

Fourcats said:

I use WD40 to wipe down the forks and the chrome parts of the RK and do the same for the chrome forks on the Dyna.

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Seems that would hold dust like crazy. Yes/No?

jrehm said:

Seems that would hold dust like crazy. Yes/No?

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Also contains kerosene

Take off the clear coat by...Follow FXRFLH's advise and you'll be fine.

is the spotting on the man shaft or outter shell, it could be clear coat, but some metals react to each other, if its near the bottom of the fork near the drain hole, that would be my bet. if its near the chrome cover for the top of the lower end this could also be a reaction.