Author Topic: Re-chroming  (Read 6008 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline stevenmgrr

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 164
Re-chroming
« on: June 05, 2008, 07:07:08 AM »
What would be the approximate cost to re-chrome my fenders?  Does anyone have a good source?  All of the used fenders that I have seen are in worse shape than mine.
'71 CB500 K0

Offline Magpie

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,333
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2008, 07:41:15 AM »
Rechroming here cost nearly the same as buying new. I bought new ones.
Cliff

Offline stevenmgrr

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 164
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2008, 07:59:35 AM »
Rechroming here cost nearly the same as buying new. I bought new ones.
Cliff

Where can I purchase new ones?
'71 CB500 K0

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,188
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2008, 08:11:16 AM »
Honda
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline Johnie

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,638
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2008, 10:34:20 AM »
Depending on what your plans are for your bike, factory chrome is OK but having a good chromer will be a better looking fender.  I had a lot of parts rechromed here in WI by a guy and there is no camparison to the factory chrome.  I paid $80 for the rear fender chrome on my 750KO.  The front was damaged so I had to buy a new one of those on eBay and I got it for $250.  If you want the name of the chromer here in WI I posted that in the "good vendor" area.
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline c_kyle

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 298
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2008, 10:41:41 AM »
What about powder-coating them?  There's some nice looking powder-coat that looks like polished aluminum or ss; it's almost as mirror-like as chrome.
Izanami, my 1979 CB650Z:  Clicky

Offline 750K2

  • new rider with an old bike
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 240
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2008, 11:59:42 AM »
what year is your bike? i've got some fenders hanging around here i'd let go cheap.  i bought them off ebay and they were usually listed incorrectly as the front mounting bracket changed about 2/3rds of the way through '72.  i can send pics if you wish
frank

Markcb750

  • Guest
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2008, 05:12:01 PM »
I am looking for a good chrome shop in the Charlotte NC area,

any leads appreciated.

Fenders, License plate bracket etc '76 CB

Markcb750

  • Guest
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2008, 03:37:01 AM »
I delivered 9 parts to "It's Finished" in Indian Trail NC. 

$730 for a chrome finish about like new.  I asked to match the one new lower right pipe I purchased while I was eBaying for pipes.

Looking forward to tuning the 750 when it is not running pipes that have 5 inch rust holes in them.

Chrome is due back to me around 15 Oct, which gives me 20 days to prep and paint the parts I want Black and Aluminum. I have been using an assortment of scotch brites, emery paper and polishes...going to be interesting how long this holds up.

Offline pablo78cb550

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 318
  • mmmph.
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2008, 09:53:50 AM »
my front fender and bracket was $150 to re chrome.
Bikes in hand:
1977 Yamaha XS650
1978 Yamaha SR500 #119!
1978 Yamaha XS400
1978 Honda CB550K
1965 Ducati Monza 250

Sold off:
1992 Yamaha FZR600
1978 Yamaha SR500- I miss it so much.
1981 Yamaha Seca 550

Markcb750

  • Guest
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2008, 11:15:33 AM »
I am paying 175... for the front fender and the two brackets

Offline Thfireman

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 28
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #11 on: September 27, 2008, 01:47:34 PM »
I am paying 175... for the front fender and the two brackets

I am in Charlotte and I havent contacted them yet but a fellow Firefighter says there is a chromer over off Atando near I-85.  Did you say you had some pipes chromed?  I am not familiar with what is required but my 750 had black pipes and I would like to get them chromed.  Can they do most metals like that? :-\

Offline nedtheviking

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2008, 02:26:35 PM »
Hey I dont mean to thread jack, but i was going to ask a similar question about re-chroming fork tubes. Mine are really rusty. Has anyone here done this before? if yes, do you know a good chroming place near Albany NY? thanks guys. Ned.

Offline MCRider

  • Such is the life of a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,376
  • Today's Lesson: One good turn deserves another.
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2008, 06:27:06 PM »
Hey I dont mean to thread jack, but i was going to ask a similar question about re-chroming fork tubes. Mine are really rusty. Has anyone here done this before? if yes, do you know a good chroming place near Albany NY? thanks guys. Ned.
Fork tubes are a little trickier for a few reasons. The chrome where the business takes place is hardened machine chrome like on any hydraulic cylinder, like on a bulldozer or backhoe. It is a higher quality and finished to the proper diameter for the seals etc.  Many show chrome shops won't do them for that reason.

If you just mask off the business chrome from the rusty part you may get away with it.

I would suggest Forking by Frank or some such. You'll get machine quality chrome the whole length of the tube, in the proper diameter.

Having said all this, before I knew what I've just said, I had a pair of CB750 tubes done full length at a local show chrome place and they worked just fine.
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline Johnie

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,638
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #14 on: September 27, 2008, 06:46:48 PM »
If you take your time you can do a great polish job on fork tubes and can get rid of the rust and get a pretty nice finish...
« Last Edit: September 27, 2008, 06:49:38 PM by Johnie »
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline Really?

  • I've come to the conclusion that I AM a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,298
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #15 on: September 27, 2008, 06:50:52 PM »
You spent a lot of time sanding those things and plenty of time polishing.  Those came out super nice!
I don't have a motorcycle, sold it ('85 Yamaha Venture Royale).  Haven't had a CB750 for over 40 years.

The Wife's Bike - 750K5
The Kid's Bike - 750K3

Offline Johnie

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,638
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #16 on: September 27, 2008, 06:56:19 PM »
You spent a lot of time sanding those things and plenty of time polishing.  Those came out super nice!

To be honest, no sandpaper at all.  Just my Sears buffing wheel and red, green and white rouge.  Granted, it does take time and patience.  You can not rush it.  I would maybe do 1 color 1 day and then another at a later date.  It gets kind of tiring doing that for a few hours.  But thank you, I do like how they turned out on the KO.
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline pablo78cb550

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 318
  • mmmph.
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #17 on: September 27, 2008, 07:00:40 PM »
red scotch bright drill pad.
then red rouge.
mirror like. not show, but it does look the business.
Bikes in hand:
1977 Yamaha XS650
1978 Yamaha SR500 #119!
1978 Yamaha XS400
1978 Honda CB550K
1965 Ducati Monza 250

Sold off:
1992 Yamaha FZR600
1978 Yamaha SR500- I miss it so much.
1981 Yamaha Seca 550

Offline Really?

  • I've come to the conclusion that I AM a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,298
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #18 on: September 27, 2008, 07:13:00 PM »
One day i will figure out the rouge thing.  I have always scotch brighted, 1200 wet, 1500wet, 2000 wet, 2500 wet and then mothers with my hand and/or a dremel tool with a buffer on it.
I don't have a motorcycle, sold it ('85 Yamaha Venture Royale).  Haven't had a CB750 for over 40 years.

The Wife's Bike - 750K5
The Kid's Bike - 750K3

Offline rbmgf7

  • 2>4
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 881
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #19 on: September 27, 2008, 07:49:32 PM »
if a plate job is cheap, most likely it's an immitation chrome finish like cobalt. if it costs an arm and a leg, it's probably the triple plate show quality. there's different levels of plating to acheive a similar chrome-like finish. shop around and ask to look at their work. if a part has encountered a lot of pitting, the price may go up. good platers will fill the pits and polish the piss out of the part before even laying the base copper layer.

but just might as well get new parts. you may get lucky and save a few bucks but the time taken to buy new parts over waiting to have your stuff turn-around is a plus.

Markcb750

  • Guest
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #20 on: September 27, 2008, 08:25:20 PM »
I am paying 175... for the front fender and the two brackets

I am in Charlotte and I havent contacted them yet but a fellow Firefighter says there is a chromer over off Atando near I-85.  Did you say you had some pipes chromed?  I am not familiar with what is required but my 750 had black pipes and I would like to get them chromed.  Can they do most metals like that? :-\

I have heard there was a guy on Atando, did not contact him.  met the owner at Chrome East in Concord, a lot of people at local bike shops, and by email a shop near Nashville.

It's Finished was recommended by several shops.  Including Iron Horse in Monroe which has some good people.

Black Pipes-As long as the base metal is solid they should be able to clean polish and plate any metal.

I am having my fined exhaust clamps electroless nickel plated.  We used this process a lot on machine tools; good durable surface, duller then chrome, but the nickel will plate in between the fins as it is not based on electrical potential as the name electroless implies.   ::)


Offline MRieck

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 10,612
  • Big ideas....
Re: Re-chroming
« Reply #21 on: September 27, 2008, 08:30:42 PM »
Honda
Hey Bryan....could you be a little more to the point???? ;) ;D
Owner of the "Million Dollar CB"