Is this fork cover repairable?
- Thread starter ct70x2
- Start date
Yes - the tube / portion that goes over the fork is easier than the ear . If the ear is the 2 sided - meaning closed on both sides - those are difficult but if it just the tube that you want to correct - it is easier with some patience and a hammer and a mandrel to work with in a vice .
I use an old axle shaft mounted in a vice well and place the stanchion over the shaft . The metal on these fork ears is thin and can be persuaded back to stock formation . The small nut for the reflector can be a problem area .
I secure the axle shaft of smaller diameter and try pressing the small dents out and move into another one and continue the effort . You can use a torch which makes it even easier but you may not have such a tool - never the less the metal is thin and when I am getting close I hold the fork stanchion hard against the cleaned up area and tap lightly with a hammer and dolly to perfection and move to the NEXT. Take your time. Work carefully - if you don't have a mandrel - use a hammer handle or something that allows you to press and tweak those depressions . Take your time and assess your improvement in the area affected . It is important that your vice holds the mandrel firm and your in control of the part . Your hand is what feels for the corrected area and then you sand it to perfection and only use primer to fill the slightest of marks - Hope this helps
I use an old axle shaft mounted in a vice well and place the stanchion over the shaft . The metal on these fork ears is thin and can be persuaded back to stock formation . The small nut for the reflector can be a problem area .
I secure the axle shaft of smaller diameter and try pressing the small dents out and move into another one and continue the effort . You can use a torch which makes it even easier but you may not have such a tool - never the less the metal is thin and when I am getting close I hold the fork stanchion hard against the cleaned up area and tap lightly with a hammer and dolly to perfection and move to the NEXT. Take your time. Work carefully - if you don't have a mandrel - use a hammer handle or something that allows you to press and tweak those depressions . Take your time and assess your improvement in the area affected . It is important that your vice holds the mandrel firm and your in control of the part . Your hand is what feels for the corrected area and then you sand it to perfection and only use primer to fill the slightest of marks - Hope this helps
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How about a big pipe 1 " . Wrap the end with a bit of tape so it's not sharp . Or a great big screw driver with some duct tape on the end of it . . Lightly measure where your dent is . Mark that with tape on your makeshift mandrel . Now you know exactly where you are and watch with your eye at an angle you will see exactly what your doing . Work it slowly - notice where you are and work it out . .
If your mocked mandrel is allot smaller diameter- use some leverage from a side and work it out . Remember measure and mark so you know where you are .
You will see better how your doing from looking inside the stanchion tube at times for the imperfections .
You can do this- the pipe and screw driver will all be good mandrel s but the pipe will allow you to fit the stanchion over it and apply pressure on the stanchion side to final tap any imperfections - dimples - pings flat .
If your not getting this - listen to this . You have a pop can - that is your fork stanchion but you need to remove the drinking hole end to have access to the tube of the stanchion - the can is dented in the middle - so you slide your pop can " fork stanchion " over your 1 inch pipe fastened in the vice .. you need to work out that small dent 2 inches into the can centre . So you mark your pipe at 2 inches . - apply some pressure to remove some dent - you see it flex a little and you know where you are - work it in a little - say a 1/4 in past your marked mandrel line to get the inner edge of dent then work the exact 2 inch mark that's the centre and 1.3/4 Mark to get the other side of the dent . Pretty soon your pushing back and forth meaning it's smooth . Look inside your can - it's shiney and shows imperfections better - is it perfect - maybe real close - move on to the next one slowly removing them all . Inspect your work and on .
Yes pop can is soft aluminum - your stanchion is soft as well . Use tape on your mandrel so it softens your edge
.
A good solid broom handle or wire brush handle will work as well mounted in a vice with 6 inches at your preferred angle - I would say horizontal might be your preferred.
Your welcome to call - just leave me a pm and I will forward the number . .
The good news is your fork ear looks great - The bad news is your stanchion is dented but the easy spot to get at - remember you can call just pm
If your mocked mandrel is allot smaller diameter- use some leverage from a side and work it out . Remember measure and mark so you know where you are .
You will see better how your doing from looking inside the stanchion tube at times for the imperfections .
You can do this- the pipe and screw driver will all be good mandrel s but the pipe will allow you to fit the stanchion over it and apply pressure on the stanchion side to final tap any imperfections - dimples - pings flat .
If your not getting this - listen to this . You have a pop can - that is your fork stanchion but you need to remove the drinking hole end to have access to the tube of the stanchion - the can is dented in the middle - so you slide your pop can " fork stanchion " over your 1 inch pipe fastened in the vice .. you need to work out that small dent 2 inches into the can centre . So you mark your pipe at 2 inches . - apply some pressure to remove some dent - you see it flex a little and you know where you are - work it in a little - say a 1/4 in past your marked mandrel line to get the inner edge of dent then work the exact 2 inch mark that's the centre and 1.3/4 Mark to get the other side of the dent . Pretty soon your pushing back and forth meaning it's smooth . Look inside your can - it's shiney and shows imperfections better - is it perfect - maybe real close - move on to the next one slowly removing them all . Inspect your work and on .
Yes pop can is soft aluminum - your stanchion is soft as well . Use tape on your mandrel so it softens your edge
.
A good solid broom handle or wire brush handle will work as well mounted in a vice with 6 inches at your preferred angle - I would say horizontal might be your preferred.
Your welcome to call - just leave me a pm and I will forward the number . .
The good news is your fork ear looks great - The bad news is your stanchion is dented but the easy spot to get at - remember you can call just pm
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