DLC porn

We've had a few people asking about the black stanchions we use in some of Rocket Bobs custom bike builds. The black finish is called DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) and is a high strength low friction coating that can be applied to your existing tubes.  It's been used on forks for many years as it makes for a better seal and less friction & so better for response (which is why you often see it on race bikes).

To apply the coating, the fork stanchions are honed on a lathe, then the lower plastic damper ring is cut off. The tube is then placed in a very high pressure tank which is heated until the steel is close to cherry and then Acetylene is blasted onto the surface through a high pressure gun. The gas immediately detonates and under the extreme conditions micro diamonds form on the surface. The lower tip of the stanchion has to then be tube welded back on by a purged auto TIG tube welder after coating.

The DLC is a black finish however it isn't a straight black and has some amazing variations in colour under different light as you can see here in a better close up shot of the DLC forks on Janes Shovel posted last month.

And on an earlier build here...

If you are interested in our DLC or Titanium Nitride (Gold) coatings then get in touch for prices.