How to clean Harley Davidson Forks

[@randymiller5008]

Add duct tap to the back of your sand paper and it won't break as easy when your applying pressure. Hope this helps someone 🤙

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Great tip! I’ll use that from now on. The forks are holding up well. Now my SG need this.

[@peterwilliamson4296]

Night and day difference. Hats off to you sir and now I am inspired to do the same.

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Thanks!

[@roadkingtales]

I have a 96 Road King and I need to do the same. You’re brave not taping the fender off! I’d be nervous of scratching the paint. Looks great!

[@gloryland59]

I just cleaned mine, took used100 grit to remove clear. Then used green scotch brite pads cut into 2" strips. Polish in the round direction. Remove tire, fender, so much easier. You can turn each fork to sand, polish.

[@YeeeeeHaaaaa]

I was thinking the same thing

[@kennethhowell148]

You have inspired me to work on my 2011 Heritage, i liked what you achived. Looks good.

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Thank you. Depending on the pitting I recommend you don’t start as low as I did. It’s harder to remove the deep scratches. Keep at it and be patient. Also removing the tires and fenders makes it super easy.

[@sig108432]

Thank you so much for this video. I bought the required materials, went home and followed your instructions. Worked great!! My lower forks shine almost as much as the chrome uppers. Thank you!

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Sweet Steve and I’m glad it worked for you as well. I have a few Harley’s I’ve done this to and they all still look good. Ride safe!!

[@sig108432]

@@StylishGreaseMonkey That answered my next question as to how long would it look good. Thanks again my friend.

[@StevenVelasquez]

Looking forward to trying this tomorrow on my 2010 Electraglide Classic and my 04 Softail. This has been bothering me forever!

[@sig108432]

@@ministerpopilyo They look just as good as they did when I first did them in March. I’ll send you pics if you like. Shoot me an address.

[@iananderson7060]

This looks great, will do this on my Fatboy..

[@kenc.9067]

Nice bike! My '02 Wide Glide needs this done badly.

[@briangleason5597]

Thank You for the video. I bought a 2003 dyna wide glide and it needs a lot of work.

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Nice! Good luck on your bike.

[@briangleason5597]

@@StylishGreaseMonkey Thank You. Be safe riding out there.

[@kenc.9067]

I have a 2002 Wide Glide. Love it, one of the best looking Harleys, in my biased opinion.

[@Tumble96]

Do you put the clear coat back on

[@ericmousseau5707]

Excellent job! This is exactly what I was thinking for sanding. The aluminum polish makes sense. The only thing I would probably do is add masking tape to protect the fender. I'm sure you were careful... It would just take the risk out and allow to go faster. Thanks for the video, nice bike!

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

I've also taken the tires and the fenders off on my other bike which was so much easier. Don't go too low on the sand paper like I did because it creates more work.

[@tradmanmike3360]

Thank you! I have a 04 Heritage, same issue. This will help me greatly. New sub. from the 641... Always thumbs up!!!

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Thanks a ton! You’ve probably read some of the comments here. I recommend to remove it from the bike and also don’t use the coarse sandpaper like I did to avoid more work getting it down. Good luck and I was very happy I did it.

[@aprilvalentine8465]

Wondering how many sand paper discs you went through. Thanks for sharing.

[@kcav5374]

Thank you! I have a 1992 Sportster 883 that was neglected Badly. ALL the aluminum on the bike is Nasty! However the paint is in decent shape, and it only had 14,900+ mile on it when I bought it last year. My front forks are about the same way your were & I am a bit fortunate being a Sporty I can easily remove the small front fender to batter clean and polish my lowers. And then on to the engine cases... :o (And I am planning on using Mothers)

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

It’s still holding on mine. I’m sure if I’m out of the n the rain it will corrode again.

[@justinhelmi902]

Will the forks rust now that the clear coat has been removed?

[@chrisandlaurie8148]

Aluminum doesn't rust steel does

[@johncasor9698]

good job... i was looking at my forks and i see it is just like yours. i will polish it out a little better then what you did here because i need to get out all those little scratches...

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Thanks John and yes, a little bit more patience and the me to get them perfect.

[@TH-uk6yj]

Great job!

[@cknorris3644]

Looks good. You could have also kept going with the sandpaper and polished them out to a mirror finish. Also... four fender bolts will give you more space to work and save some headaches. 👍

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Funny because I ended up selling this bike to my brother and he totally just changed everything on it including the lower forks. My Streetglide is starting to do this now so maybe that’s next.

[@allenmicheal8134]

Scary watching you sanding around your nice front fender. I would cover my front fender before any sanding. But thanks for the video. Gonna do this to my 04 Fatboy. This was neglected before I bought it. Thanks for the info and video Ride safe.

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

No yeah definitely. I was in a hurry for this one. I would definitely take the tires and fenders off next time. Also don’t go too rough a sandpaper like I did.

[@marypreviti9813]

Thank you for this video. I’m not sure if I missed something as my forks are still very scratched even after 220 grit and Mothers. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks again! Mary

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Hi, it takes a lot of time to get the scratches off. If they are deep then you might have to sand it more with the 220 then moving to a higher number sand paper. I liked the brushes looked so I stopped at 220. You can get it to shine by going finer (higher number).

[@marypreviti9813]

Thank you so much for your prompt response! I’ll continue to work on my bike over the weekend.

[@franrayjr]

Damn that's much better I know what I'll be doing soon. 👍🏼

[@Plumbermark]

I think just removing the wheel will be enough to make it easier. Great video.

[@vesapulkkinen8408]

Exactly. Just removed the wheel and mudguard, changed fork oil and now getting into the business... sanding, sanding, sanding... a lot of space all around. No damage to paintwork.

[@backroadsofeasternwashington]

My Road Kings forks look like that. I'm doing this TODAY

[@TryingSO]

Great video… can you do it on a Black lower fork ?

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

I’m sorry but this process will only apply on aluminum surfaces. Black surfaces are normally painted or powder coated so this will not work.

[@TryingSO]

@@StylishGreaseMonkey thanks for the reply!!

[@kcav5374]

I may just go ahead and do all the cleaning, sanding and then just carefully spray paint my lowers with Epoxy Black just to cover them as I read in the comments below about oxidation being an issue down the road... But Thank you!

[@deanesonthemove9574]

Have you noticed corrosion coming back? I have an 09 heritage and I’m about to do this clean up job too. But I wonder since your “cleaned” aluminum has no more clear coat and it’s essentially “raw & exposed” now, if it’s more prone to corroding now fairly quickly?

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

I’m a fair weather rider and the bike is always garaged now so the corrosion may not appear anytime soon. Cleaning it often with a good cleaner can also lengthen the time of when it starts to corrode again. My brother went ahead and just replaced his with chrome lower forks because he was done with dealing with it. It’s another option.

[@johnbodo]

Deanes fine coat of wax regularly.

[@johanellis9703]

Or a more permanent solution is to degrease, do a panel wipe with labocosmetica veritas and do a ceramic coating on them

[@keithcorry214]

WOW a lot better. I would have put some plastic on fender to keep dust / mothers off of it OR removed it. I will be doing the cleaning on my recently bought 2010 Fatboy that was stored for 2 years. Forks look like Hell.

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

I would definitely recommend removing it and going to smoother sand paper. Anyway, my brother owns this bike now and he changed it to a chrome lowers.

[@grandparolie]

Bro it looks much better I’m getting on mine

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Thanks, my brother in law ended up buying this bike from me and changed the lowers to chrome. Well he changed a whole lot of things to his flavor. My SG is doing the same thing now and I will have to clean it soon but this time I'll take out the tires and fenders to really get on there.

[@timbrindle7743]

Start with 60 grit? Isn't that too abrasive?

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

It is but I had to get it down fast. I should have also continued to a much higher count to really get the scratches off.

[@murraywilson7391]

Good try but grit used is way to savage.. secure bike.. remove front wheel and guard.. use paint stripper and scrub offclear coat ( easy ) use 800 wet and dry .. work at it 15 to 20 minutes each side.. repeat with 1200 wet and dry.. repeat with 1500 and then buff with course cutting polish as long as you can ... wash with water and detergent.. polish with good metal polish like purple stuff wash again and buff your mirror finish polished alloy.. maintain with a polish if it dulls.

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Thanks, I may try that on another bike.

[@georgemenzies1619]

Guys, take your fender off before doing this! Don’t stop at 220! You need to go up in stages.

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

I totally agree!

[@christopherewen779]

Agree 60 grit is for sharpening axes not harley forks.

[@mervilles]

Aloha bruh 🤙🏼

[@StylishGreaseMonkey]

Aloha Billy!!

[@Marlene-hw7nu]

If you would spray a little wd-40 on it you won't have to use course sandpaper,

[@buster1173]

You like, I like

[@J.Sanity]

"0000" Steel wool for the final stage.......

[@jeffb9586]

60 Grit Bro you give me fear or courage. Sixdey Grit?! WOW

[@rickspa8348]

Mate, take the bloody front wheel and fender off, it’ll be so much easier..!!

[@thomasreyes2857]

That's what I call a half ass job dude. Never took the time to polish the aluminum or nothing

[@chrisandlaurie8148]

Really? Cause what the fuck is he doing at the 5 min mark?

[@weeble5933]

Liked the video till I saw that stupid iron order Diamond.