Fork Tube nick fix

[Nayther]

I've feathered out smaller nicks in fork tube before on a few different bikes but this one is pretty bad thanks to my son ?

Anyone had success with using JB weld or nail polish or super glue? Heard of others doing this, which lasts the longest? I'm in a bit of a time crunch, gotta get the bike back together for an enduro next weekend.

[FORMA MOTO]

I've feathered out smaller nicks in fork tube before on a few different bikes but this one is pretty bad thanks to my son ?

Anyone had success with using JB weld or nail polish or super glue? Heard of others doing this, which lasts the longest? I'm in a bit of a time crunch, gotta get the bike back together for an enduro next weekend.

JB weld should work fine.

[Robert Baldwin]

Pictures ?

Positive indications (outward blemishes <bumps> you can feel) should be smoothed in an appropriate manner (i.e. 400 or more emory cloth)

I am aware that negative depressions can be filled. With what (?) I'm not savvy on the options of covalent bond strength of epoxys on SS.

I'd be more worried about the <positive> seal ripping indications.

I would guess ( and it is only a guess) that if you were more than 0.015 into the tube you may have some long-term seal issues either way.

...but I'm not an expert on the subject. On bikes anyways.

[davidl9999]

I've used nail polish for nicks. It works quite well for a long time. I know I posted something on here about it a while back. Superglue fails when it gets wet or hot. For anything bigger than a nick, I'd have to say replace the tube although there are shops that can true pretty much anything.

[Nayther]

I did the J.B. weld thing. It took 3 trys to get it right, kept sanding right through it, but the divit is even with the surrounding area now. I know its not as hard as the chrome plating but its not too big either. Picking up new seal today and will reassemble it tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed. If I have to replace the tube it will cut down my riding/racing for a bit as that's just not in the budget.

[Montana-Snipe]

http://www.belzona.com/, This is like JB Weld on steroids!

[Nayther]

Well J.B. weld fell out at the race last weekend and seal started leaking again. I've smoothed out the scrape more and am thinking about trying it without filling it, its real smooth now but I know some oil will leak out as it passes in/out of the seal. Maybe I should put some neoprene boots on the forks to help keep it cleaner, so dirt isn't picked up and carried up into the chamber, any thoughts? I've definitely gone through the plating, I can see the copper underlayment and the steel below, not too concerned about rust in the desert.

Should I try it this way or try something else? I know I got all the oil off before the J.B. weld but I guess there's nothing there for it to bite into. That Belzona stuff looks good but where do you get it?

[pool guy]

I had the same problem and JB weld worked fine for about two years. replaced the JB weld again and it is still holding about nine months now. I had it done at Fineline in Hunington Beach.

[davidl9999]

Should I try it this way or try something else? I know I got all the oil off before the J.B. weld but I guess there's nothing there for it to bite into. That Belzona stuff looks good but where do you get it?

Here's a map of Belzona distributors: http://www.belzona.com/contact.aspx

It's really more of an industrial product and is fairly expensive for "garage" repairs, so I wouldn't bother with it unless you happen to have a friend that works in industry and can get you a bit to use. Fwiw, the stuff is amazing.

If the surface is so smooth that JB Weld won't stick, try using nail polish. If you're going through the surface repair too quickly, then perhaps it's best to just replace the fork tube.

[Nayther]

Here's a map of Belzona distributors: http://www.belzona.com/contact.aspx

It's really more of an industrial product and is fairly expensive for "garage" repairs, so I wouldn't bother with it unless you happen to have a friend that works in industry and can get you a bit to use. Fwiw, the stuff is amazing.

If the surface is so smooth that JB Weld won't stick, try using nail polish. If you're going through the surface repair too quickly, then perhaps it's best to just replace the fork tube.

I may try the nail polish idea, will have my wife bring some home (she does nails). I've been looking around for another fork tube or set of forks, will keep my eye open for a decent used one.