Topic: Rechroming Front Mudguard

[nancy]

I'm thinking of having both my guards rechromed - panelbeaten as well. Wondered about the front stay brackets. I assume these have to come off? As they are riveted on - has anyone any experience and advice re removal and replacement of the bracket/rivets?
Regards
Mark

[Gaither]

Mark

You've likely already looked. But, can't you find and buy what you want cheaper than the cost of new plating?

The EPA has been veeery hard on the replaters. Put a lot of 'em out of business.

'Just a FWIW

[nomad]

FWIW, I recently purchased a brand new Honda OEM front fender for my 750 K4... chromed.  The supports had scuffs (from the production process) that clearly showed beneath their chrome job and the chrome they put on it was not very good at all.  You could see gold-ish spots in 4 different places on the top of the fender.  I'm guessing that was the coating they put on under the chrome and for some reason, it simply didn't take in those areas.  If I weren't going to make mine black, it'd be getting re-chromed right now too.

Yes, everything has to come off to get them re-chromed.  I'm not sure it's necessary to remove the rivets though.

[Ricky_Racer]

In California, it's cheaper to replace the bike than to rechrome the fenders!      RR

[nancy]

Wooo! It's not that bad IN NewZealand - yet. But platers are few, and far between. I have one guy in town and another about 70Km away that do good work. $50 quoted to rechrome each guard. Dechrome, hand them back to me to have panelbeaten - give them back for new chome.
I just thought that the bracing plates may need to be separated from the guard "blades". Never thought to ask the plater when I saw him about 6 months ago.

[faux fiddy]

Wooo! It's not that bad IN NewZealand - yet. But platers are few, and far between. I have one guy in town and another about 70Km away that do good work. $50 quoted to rechrome each guard. Dechrome, hand them back to me to have panelbeaten - give them back for new chome.
I just thought that the bracing plates may need to be separated from the guard "blades". Never thought to ask the plater when I saw him about 6 months ago.

A friend had some maico forks re-done to specs. Cost 2-300 a a couple years ago in L.A.
It would be cool to have a place/ organized effort/  for forum members could put together loads cheaper by the dozen style...


Send in  the junk order every couple months...

[RickB]

I had my front fender chopped and chromed last year. It was rusted in places and dented in others so I figured, why not cafe it.







In Australia chroming is expensive. This was $140. I had to take it apart. As you stated, the support is riveted. So I drilled it and found some nice button head stainless hardware to replace it. Looks great I think. Although for that price, I could almost get a new repo from DSS.

Rick.

[nancy]

Hey thanks Rick. Mine might cost more than $50 as the guy seems to estimate $50 on any part i point to. So if i take in a fender blade and a separate bracket and separate stays - he may well want to zap for $50 x 3! But, I did not know that DSS sells a cheapish repro. I have found only the genuine Honda part and that is priced at about $220 pounds from memory - and NZ dollars being worth squat - that would be about $450. Did u finds something?
regards
Mark

[Terry in Australia]

G'Day Mark, I've had a couple of OEM fenders re-chromed, the original plating is rubbish, and one plater told me that it wasn't even chrome, but rather just nickel, one of the three stages in the "proper" chrome plating 3 stage process. (copper/nickel/chrome)

"Proper" chrome is much deeper, richer, smoother and shinier than OEM "chrome", and will probably last the life of your bike, so if you can get your stuff done cheaply, I'd recommend it over buying OEM every time.

You don't need to "de-rivet" your fender, and if you do and re-rivet it you'll have the problem that your new rivets will rust/corrode (depending on what you use) in time, while your chrome will stay nice and shiny. You could use stainless button head screws like Rick, but you'd need to check the clearance between your front tyre and the brace, to ensure that there's sufficient room for nuts, washers, etc.

Up to you which way you go mate, but I'd rather chrome my 30+ year old parts if they're in good condition (or can be refurbished) than buy re-pops, most I've seen have been of very poor quality. You really do get what you pay for.............