Anodising KTM swingarm - can it be done...

Crush
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Edited Date/Time 4/11/2014 3:08pm
I haven't looked at my bike but I feel like the ktm swingarm is different to some... Looked up on the web and its hydro formed... So my question is is this like die cast and therefore can't be anodised?

For anyone that has done there's, did you PC or were they alloy and able to ano?

Cheers!
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TRON
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4/9/2014 5:29am
You can anodize it, but the cast parts will not come out nice and shiny. It will be a dull flat finish.
Crush
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4/9/2014 7:00am
You think it'd work out if I anodize it a satin black?
MXVet261
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4/9/2014 10:52am
KTM swingarms are forged, not cast.

The Shop

newmann
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4/9/2014 1:09pm
MXVet261 wrote:
KTM swingarms are forged, not cast.
Forged? One piece hollow forged? KTM swingarm is one piece, correct? I own one, maybe I'll look tonight.
Crush
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4/9/2014 2:25pm
MXVet261 wrote:
KTM swingarms are forged, not cast.
newmann wrote:
Forged? One piece hollow forged? KTM swingarm is one piece, correct? I own one, maybe I'll look tonight.
I was hoping you would see this!

Cheers for the input guys
MXVet261
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4/9/2014 5:31pm
I'm wrong, they are cast. Sorry. No idea what I was thinking of.
Crush
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4/9/2014 5:43pm
Poop!

What a bummer.... Well that photoshop time yesterday was a waste then! haha
Markee
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4/10/2014 5:56am
Crush, The hubs on a ktm are cast as well, then machined. I sent my hubs and rims to get anodized this winter, I really thought the machined part would be the same finish as the smooth rims, nope. They are basically a satin/flat finish. The tint/color does not differ from the machined part to the raw casted sections.

Not sure if you can tell in the photo:



I got the work done by colors inc, very pleased with the work and turn around time. They charged me about 130 bucks for everything.
Crush
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4/10/2014 6:59pm Edited Date/Time 4/10/2014 7:00pm
Cheers mate! That's good to hear...

I'll have a chat to my anodiser down here and see what they think. I still haven't had a good look but I guess the hubs and swingarm would be comparable... Potentially pretty expensive thing to mess up tho haha... Swingarms aren't cheap!

Interesting 130 for it up there. What did that include? Same thing here, including building em wanted to 700. Mate, that's 3/4 the cost of some new SMPros and Talons! haha... Not to worry, found some black A60 and Orange talons for cheap. Stoked!

This is what I want to do... carbon wrap the fork tubes and anodise the swingarm... Might have to settle with just the forks tho.

This is photoshop from my stock bike... Did the hubs, rims, clamps, swingarm and forks quickly yesterday!

Crush
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4/10/2014 7:07pm
Probably gonna be...



And with no forks

JBernard_401
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4/10/2014 7:36pm
I dont know the alloy that WP uses. but i anodized a set of Showa uppers and supposedly they were in the 2000 series alum alloy. made getting a color more difficult. i'd check to see if it had been done before if i went black, else you may end up with a olive drab, or grey, ect.
Crush
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4/10/2014 9:02pm
Fork tubes I'm just gonna wrap.

Is there any easy way to find out for the swingarm what metal it is?

AND/OR... If I get it anodised black, and it looks junk, is it reversible.

Obviously I'm showing my complete lack of knowledge with the process! haha
JBernard_401
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4/10/2014 9:20pm
not cheaply to find the alloy. theres special instruments out there that can do it but they are 10's of thosands.
if you get it ano'd black, you should be able to strip it if it looks bad. either chemically like they do before its ano'd or with sandpaper. type 2 ano is only about .001 of thickness so thats why its scratches off easily.
hardcoating it may be the best bet. esp on a swingarm thats getting a lot of abuse. you can also hardcoat cast alum easier.
Crush
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4/10/2014 9:54pm
Cheers mate!

Not sure I wanna be the first to try it haha... Probably cost me 100 bucks to get it anodised... Gawd knows how much if it doesn't work!
Markee
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4/11/2014 4:01am Edited Date/Time 4/11/2014 4:02am
The process can be reversed.

I think all your options looks great crush.

It was 130.00 to ano only, thats me building the wheels up, pressing bearings back in etc..

You can always powder coat it. I've done frames and swing arms black and it holds up great.
Markee
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4/11/2014 4:06am
This is the frame and swing arm on my old 450. All powder coat.





Crush
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4/11/2014 4:35am
Cheers buddy.

I PC'd the frame obviously.... Came out great. I put a skid plate that has good coverage on it to avoid chips... And that had been the reason I hadn't thought of that for the swingarm.

Guess I could, weight tho too you think? How did it hold up? Heating issues for a swingarm any concern? Again I don't know enough!
eins4eins
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4/11/2014 7:27am
anodizing those parts is no problem...have done it before and it works great.

check out Dedo Racing on Facebook. they have pictures of many parts they've done


Crush
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4/11/2014 3:08pm
Well what do you know.

They've got this on there site, looks good, tho almost looks like one of those swingarm covers. Have sent them a message, see what they say.

Cheers mate!

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