Thinking about anodizing and powdercoating...

[veerossi46]

I'm thinking about anodizing the outer fork tubes black on my 08 S and powdercoating the swingarm satin black. Anyone have experience with taking the forks or swingarm completely apart? I have the tool to remove the fork caps, but wondering if any other special tools are needed. I don't know if the etching process on type 2 anodizing will affect the critical areas where seals, bushings etc. reside.

Thanks in advance.

[Chouch]

I have experience on taking apart the Hyper fork.
With the workshop manual and the tool cap (considering you have an S - SP), it's very straightforward and can be done without any other special tool.

You will mostly need 2 new kit of seals and dust seals (1 of each per kit)


If you install new seals, you can use the old one as a tool to install the new one.

You also want to check the 2 bushings of each leg, make sure the teflon coating is still here and the shape is still ok.



You dont want anodizing type 2, you want type 3 (also called hard anodizing).
Type 2 will fade and discolor under UV.
Black will go purple-ish, red will turn pink, and gold to pale yellow.


The swimgamr is easy too.
Just remember to use a magnet tool for the bolt at the bottom of the shock, if you dont want to loose that stupid bolt forever in your swingarm...

[veerossi46]

Hard anodizing will build up thickness more than type 2. It also has almost no luster. It's pretty flat compared to type 2....at least with my past experiences. Did you anodize yours, or just pull them apart for a rebuild or something? I'm thinking after they are stripped, they'll probably need to be bright dipped prior to etching and anodizing?

[Chouch]

Took my fork apart to install a GP Suspension cartridge kit.
I had to smooth a dent in the upper tube, so the fork had to be fully dismantled.

I beleive some people here anodized their outer tubes black, but it was hard anodizing.

Most recently, Arrick from the Monster section did it on his insane Monster project :





If you dont want to bother taking the fork apart, the easiest way to do it is a simple wrap.
Endless color choice, patterns and textures. 1h job and it's done, and it will prevent your fork from rock chip.

[DuCH]

I anodized the outer tubes "dark red". 1 h work.

[veerossi46]

Nice!