Rust and pitting on fork tubes

I was looking to replace the fork tubes on my recently acquired 79 KZ400, but the used ones I see on E-bay don't look much better than mine. I don't want to put the money into NOS tubes. The section of tube that slide on the seals are OK.
My plan is to put on Gator fork boots and chrome vinyl wrap on the tubes between the triple tree clamps. I'm not restoring this bike, just want it to look better as an occasional errand runner.
Any other ideas I should consider?
 

You could sand them with 1000 grit (not the the functional section that runs through the seals) apply a rust-inhibitor and then polish. Would make them look a lot better and slow the rusting process

Maybe a new seat cover?

hardrockminer wrote:

Maybe a new seat cover?

I would definitely try to sand out the rust. You'll still have pitting but I've heard of a technique where you sand with crumpled up aluminum foil and WD40 to remove some of the pitting. It's worth a try. 

Did you try searching KZ440 forks?  In case you aren't aware, the 400 Ltd has the same fork tubes as a number of 440 Ltds, so there should be more available for the 440.

On the forks you could try soaking with wd-40 or simular, and then using some 0000# grade steel wool and metal polish.  Make sure you use only 0000# steel wool. I have used it on both chrome parts and glass windshields with no scratching at all and excellent results. 

Yep, ultra fine steel wool and chrome cleaner then seal with a wax. 
Battery acid burns on an original 650 exhaust. 

After



Before

No disrespect to Warren, but notice the scratching in the After photo.  That's why I use straight chrome cleaner on a rag, and rotate the rag often, otherwise you will be grinding oxide material into the chrome, scratching it.  Good news with fork tubes, though, is they are HARD chromed, not cosmetic chrome like an exhaust pipe.  You won't scratch hard chrome nearly as easily, so the 0000 steel wool will be okay.

Nessism wrote:

No disrespect to Warren, but notice the scratching in the After photo. 

 

Nessism, are you looking at them the right way round? The After pic is the top one.
The scratches and majority of the acid burn discoloration on the before pic are all but gone on the after (top) pic. 
Admittedly not 100% but loads better.
Zoom in on each pic to clearly see how diminished they are. 

Wookie58 wrote:

hardrockminer wrote:

Maybe a new seat cover?

He asked...any other ideas I should consider?  I thought I'd inject a little humour!

As for the fork uppers...they are hard chromed.  Some shops will re-chrome them.  Most won't.  A new set probably costs around $100 US.

hardrockminer wrote:

A new set probably costs around $100 US.

Is this more humour?