XS1B Fork Tubes Re-chromed ?

Grewth

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I finally dug out my strap wrench and dismantled my XS1B forks.
Fork lowers, springs, and seal holders are all quite reasonable, if marked.
No good for a show bike, but good enough for me.
The fork tubes, however, are a real mess.
My initial intentions were to get them ground and hard chromed, but I can see a couple of problems already.
Firstly, the lower bushes will need to come off, it looks like they're rivetted on.
I presume, as they are wearing parts, that they can be replaced, but I cant see how.
Secondly, there's a wire type snap ring on the larger diameter part.
I suspect that the chroming process will effectively put hard chrome into the grooves, meaning they'll have to be recut somehow.
And worse still, the very top of one tube has been damaged and repaired by welding (very badly)
Probably scrap, but I might just have scrounged a replacement (also in rough condition)
Hopefully, I'll be able to get these sorry looking items hard chromed, I've had tubes done in the past, and the result has, IMHO, been better (harder) than new OE.
If it turns into Mission Impossible, are there any NOS tubes still to be had ?
 

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I finally dug out my strap wrench and dismantled my XS1B forks.
Fork lowers, springs, and seal holders are all quite reasonable, if marked.
No good for a show bike, but good enough for me.
The fork tubes, however, are a real mess.
My initial intentions were to get them ground and hard chromed, but I can see a couple of problems already.
Firstly, the lower bushes will need to come off, it looks like they're rivetted on.
I presume, as they are wearing parts, that they can be replaced, but I cant see how.
Secondly, there's a wire type snap ring on the larger diameter part.
I suspect that the chroming process will effectively put hard chrome into the grooves, meaning they'll have to be recut somehow.
And worse still, the very top of one tube has been damaged and repaired by welding (very badly)
Probably scrap, but I might just have scrounged a replacement (also in rough condition)
Hopefully, I'll be able to get these sorry looking items hard chromed, I've had tubes done in the past, and the result has, IMHO, been better (harder) than new OE.
If it turns into Mission Impossible, are there any NOS tubes still to be had ?
Yambits.co.uk have tubes in stock.
Need to check your model for fitting: yambits.co.uk
 
Last edited:
Yambits.co.uk have tubes in stock.
Need to check your model for fitting: yambits.co.uk
I've just been on the Yambits site.
Unfortunately, no fork tubes showing for XS1, or XS1B.
They do list three types of pattern tubes, XS2, XS650B, and 35mm XS650/XS650SE.
 
Hi, I have just bought a rather tatty XS1B that has rust pits on the front forks. Has any one out there successfully hard chromed a pair of XS1 forks? Franks Forks in the US make them, but to get them to NZ could be NZ$800-900.
 
In the UK if you search for motorcycle re-chrome forks there are a couple of companies that will do it. The going price is approximately £200 - £240. They straighten the tubes, grind off the existing chrome, make any repairs, chrome plate and then regrind to the original diameter. If you are lucky there may be a company doing similar work in NZ. Perhaps you could send a message to Signal, he may know of such a company. Maybe contact https://industrialhardchrome.co.nz, they must have been approached about re-chroming for motorcycles and may have a contact for you.
 
In the UK if you search for motorcycle re-chrome forks there are a couple of companies that will do it. The going price is approximately £200 - £240. They straighten the tubes, grind off the existing chrome, make any repairs, chrome plate and then regrind to the original diameter. If you are lucky there may be a company doing similar work in NZ. Perhaps you could send a message to Signal, he may know of such a company. Maybe contact https://industrialhardchrome.co.nz, they must have been approached about re-chroming for motorcycles and may have a contact for you.
Hi Paul, Thanks for the prompt reply. I have already done a search for hard chroming in NZ and found a few places including the one you mentioned. I was more concerned about the issues Grewth raised as to whether it was actually possible, and if it can physically be done ok. The annoying thing is XS2 forks are readily available new but not XS1s. Cheers Mike
 
I have contacted 2 places in Auckland that do hard chroming and both quoted around $900. Franks Forks can supply and post for $800. Either way it's a lot of money for a $2,300 bike.
 
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