Topic: Original spokes - Cadmium or zinc plating?

[Chaser60]

Greetings.  I have searched a bit on cleaning / polishing.   Have seen some posts that say spokes are cad plated.  Others that say Zinc.   Anyone know what was on 1975 vintage spokes for a CB550? 

[bwaller]

Honda used zinc on everything else, pretty sure spokes too.

[lucky]

Honda used zinc on everything else, pretty sure spokes too.

No they were steel and had chrome plating.

Usually only stamped steel parts had cadnium plating. Like seat lock brackets and choke cable brackets etc.,.

[754]

Honda spkes are not chromed..

[DanJ]

If someone has a spare I can throw it in the SEM and tell you exactly whats on them. Or you can wait until I pull one off of my wheel later this winter.

[Black 750K8]

If someone has a spare I can throw it in the SEM and tell you exactly whats on them. Or you can wait until I pull one off of my wheel later this winter.

What is a SEM?

[DanJ]

If someone has a spare I can throw it in the SEM and tell you exactly whats on them. Or you can wait until I pull one off of my wheel later this winter.

What is a SEM?

Scanning Electron Microscope

[bwaller]

The British used cadmium, Honda used zinc on most bits. There were a few parts with different coloured plating but still zinc I believe.

Lucky, when did you ever see chrome stock spokes on these older bikes? What's the colour of the sky in your world! 

[Stev-o]

+1 zinc ( 'cept in Luckies wild world).  I always replace w/stainless steel when lacing up a rim.

[cb]

A post on a different thread recommended "Nevr Dull" to clean spokes; has anyone tried that?

[calj737]

Nevr Dull cleans zinc coatings, as well as SS. If the plating is failing, nothing will refurbish it but new plating. You could remove them and have them nickel plated, or buy new SS depending on their condition. If I bought inexpensive spokes, I'd have them nickel plated as a precaution against rust.

So, Chaser, are they dirty or rusted and failing? Some folks use Coca-Cola and tin foil to remove surface rust without damaging the plating. Then use the rest of the Coke with some Jack, and they'll be great!

[Don R]

 On a side note I used CLR on my stainless spokes and plated steel nipples. They are removed so it was easy, and they look like new. i'm attempting to do a hub/rim  swap

[Chaser60]

Thanks all.  Sounds like zinc plating it is.   No need to SEM, but thanks for that offer.     My spokes overall are in good shape.   Dirty, yes and some have light surface rust.   I unlaced both front and rear today.    Will spend a bit of time on them with a some of the tips from here.     

1) D40 and 0000 steel wool, light pressure

2) Coke (with or without) the aid of lubricants for the worker (me)

3)  CLR or Neverdull

Have a lot of other stuff to do, so spokes will be last.   If I am sick and tired and dirty from hours of other polishing, then SS spokes will be the order of the day.

[skidooextreme]

if you are going to give up anyways , try pinsol. Take them out every couple hours and i recommend no longer than 24 hrs.  It will strip the finish completely if left to long but short periods of time they will look brand new again

[Don R]

Clr can be bought as a paste or a liquid. I used the liquid mostly, the paste worked but seemes to dissapear into the cloth. The liquid cleaned the nipples nicely, there was some rust on them now they look nice a little buffing and I suspect they will look new. Tose spokes were Stainless and look new now.  My stock spokes are not so good and I ordered a new set from z1parts. I haven't decided whether to use stock or new but I have the choice now.