Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Fork coatings

[Rob748]

Just wondered if anyone knew of any places that will re coat forks i.e stanchions and sliders in gold. Thought about getting some ohlins forks but to be honest the ones on my bike are excellent anyway - I think the previous owner had the internals fettled in the past. Want to know what the work may cost and if its a viable proposition for what will be after all just added cosmetics.

[Iconic944ss]

Hi, no feedback on any of these companies I found on a previous thread:

http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/xm...6209#pid253835

CHeers - Frank

[DC]

When I had my Shower forks re valved at Maxtons, I asked about having my fork sliders Ti coated. ( I assume thats what you mean about having the sliders coated gold?)

I was told that it really isnt worth the money and that I wouldnt be able to tell the diference. I think it would have cost about £300 to £400 pounds if my memory serves me correctly.
At the time, I stated that I thought that this would be the case. So in the end I just ended up having the forks re valved etc.

DC.

[antonye]

Take the fork seals off - that will give you the same effect!

[Harv748]

Tech moto used to do them...colour of your choice.

[AK]

Andy @ Pitstop Paint does them too (Willenhall, nr Wolverhampton)

C

[Ray]

I'd say that you can tell the difference. Went from OEM non nitrided showas to OEM nitrided and with the latter on the road I noticed a smoother ride, less "jiggle" on poor road sufaces is the only way I can put it.

The nitriding is meant to reduce "sticktion", maybe that leads to the forks absorbing the oscillations caused by poor surfaces whereas un nitrided forks "stick" and feed the oscillations up into the bars and frame?

I rode two bikes back to back down the same road, the ride on the nitrided showas was like a magic carpet.

I also rode an Ohlins equiped bike and couldn't tell the difference between nitrided showas and Ohlins so maybe I'm not Mr sensitive when it comes to feedback afterall??

Ray

Ray.

[skidlids]

Originally posted by antonye
Take the fork seals off - that will give you the same effect!

Or maybe just the dust covers

I'm sure Maxton know what they are on about as they are still one of the first choices when it comes to race setups especially when it comes to real road racing as you have in Ireland and the IOM.
My revalved Showa forks in my 996 run without the dust covers and are far superior to the 748R coated Ohlins I have in my 998 Hybrid.
But if we are talking Showa forks with dust covers in place I suspect the Coated ones will be marginally better than the uncoated ones.
I have seen coated forks for under £250 so bear this in mind when considering getting your uncoated ones done

[Webcore]

I'm sending my forks off to K-Tech for re-valving and they've quoted me £60 per leg for TiN coating. Rebuilding cost is extra.
I decided to go for the coating so I can run the outer seals as 3 days in the dust of Almeria seems to have finished off the inner seals after being rebuilt back in May and only doing about 6 or 7 UK track days

[Edited on 17-11-2005 by Webcore]

[antonye]

Originally posted by Ray
I'd say that you can tell the difference. Went from OEM non nitrided showas to OEM nitrided and with the latter on the road I noticed a smoother ride, less "jiggle" on poor road sufaces is the only way I can put it.

Maybe they were just setup differently?