im trying to clean up this bike that was buried for a year in a cow pasture it has s real case of nasty aluminum any ideas I don't really want to sand it off if I don't have too, I have some heavy duty rubbing compound by turtle wax would that work it's a red colored pairs with some gritty texture.

 

Those fork sliders are pitted from corrosion. You will have to sand the fork sliders to get back to a smooth surface. Start with 320 grit wet or dry paper, then 400, then 600 if you want an original "brushed" finish. If you want a mirror finish, continue with 1000 and 2000 grit and finish with metal polish.

After all that work, keep the corrosion from returning by applying "Harley bare aluminum wheel protectant".

 

Or, get them chromed, and be done with all the work. Chrome exchange is a way to go, or new from the factory

 

Powdercoat. Best of all worlds. Chrome is overrated and so yesterday.

 

thabk you for the suggestion on chroming but I'm not to big on chrome also if I was gonna spend that kind of money on these forks i would replace them with a dual disk set up


will sanding these down leave directional marks from the grit? And is this something i should do on those triple trees

 

#180 to get rid of the clearcoat and the chips and dimples.
#360 or 400 will begin the smoothing process
#1000 or higher to erase directional lines, will leave a smooth satin finish
Final step, polishing wheel. I used dark grey and white rouge, but can't remember in which order (did mine 2 years ago)
They look great when you're done

 

Use some Mother's Alum. and Mag. polish on the aluminum after trying to remove the heaviest corrosion. Could try an old toothbrush to get in the tight places. Alum. polished up to a high luster looks great. Other afore mentioned ideas will work also. A labor of love.

 

And powdercoating everything isn't ? That's **** more played out than my first wife.

 

is there a way to leave the Satin aluminum finish with out polishing and with out the corrosion returning, some sort of wax , slealent or other protectant ?

 

Now THAT part of the truth I understand
To the OP, "polishing" with power tools if needed then by hand to finish.
Yes, you can fix it,, but it takes labor,,