Chroming the front end finally!!!!

Been contemplating on doing it myself vs. the dealership. Well, you can see who got the job.......ME!!!! Wasn't hard at all getting this far. Took my time, masked off my paint. Used my Harley leather service covers for my tank and fender. Gotta tear the forks down and replace.

Will post again with finished product. I would have taken pics throughout the process but I was sweating my buns off and didn't want to soak my camera with sweat.

The wife liked to have stroked out when she walked in and saw the scoot torn down.......LOL!!!

 

Oh yea, I did learn one thing with this project:

FLUSH MOUNT AXLES ARE CRAP!!!!!

I had to DRILL the freaking end cap off the original fork leg in order to get to the 6mm screw in the bottom of the fork.

Taking a hammer and trying to get the flush mount axle end cap off would not even budge the SOB!!!

I'll be going back with the OEM axle and just put nice axle caps on the end. You couldn't GIVE me another flush mount axle.

 

All buttoned up last night. I was initially intimidated with the task of doing this job myself. One, for fear of scratching something. Two, that I'd get in the middle of this project and have to admit defeat. Well, I can HONESTLY say this was a very easy task for someone thinking of doing this themselves and saving the $$$ of a shop fee which could be as much as 4-6hrs labor charges times whatever your dealership/indy charges per hour.

Whatcha think? Does the chrome stand out?

 

The chrome lowers look great. Even better with that 21" front wheel you have on there. Nice work

 

looks sweet.

 

Looks great. I've thought about switching to chrome for my forks too. Nice to hear it was fairly easy to do.

 

Looks great. Awesome ride overall and congrats on doing it yourself

 

Very nice looking. Is that a 21" or an 18" up front?

 

Looks great, what was the hardest part of the whole job?? I'm thinking of doing the same to my Heritage.

 

I did the same thing in June, had the same feelings too! I was so worried I would be carting the bike back to the dealer in pieces, but taking my time, having the manual and keeping track of everything saved me lots of money. Just a trick for the guys who had a hard time compressing the springs. I used the triple tree as a brace, kept the end caps in the top part of the tree and pushed the tubes up on the endcap and threaded them in that way. I was working by myself, so I didn't have another hand to help get those buggers on.

I also lowered mine with the progressive kit. If you are just going for chrome lowers then you would not have to go through that PIA!

Use new fork seals, they cost about 30 bucks and better to replace now than later. I used a 2 inch diameter piece of pvc pipe and a rubber mallet to seat the seals in. A good pick or dental tool works wonders to get the spring ring out and in for the seal. I also used heavier fork oil for the job. I was glad I did as the less travel you have the more dampening you will need.

Another couple of things to have on had or even replace. Lower fork harware(i.e. lower cap studs, washers and bolts, lower fork cap seal and bolt with crush washers). I broke one of my studs off using a torque wrench set to 10lbs less than the reccommended max! Having to drive to the dealer to buy a new one set me back 4 hrs of time and frustration! Use a torque wrench and don't go for the max setting or the good and tight method.

Good Job man, Looks great!