Chorming Exhaust

[Anonymous]

Anyone know of an outfit that will consider rechroming exhaust? Just looking to have the header done for now.

Kurt Worden
81 GS650GX

[Anonymous]

No specific recommendation, but you should be able to find a local shop by looking in the yellow pages under "plating" or "coatings". Maybe check with a local Harley shop (cough, cough) about where they get stuff re-plated if you want someone who specifically does bike parts.

Mark

[Anonymous]

NO Chrome in SD

Mark,

Thanks ... I've tried several local shops. All of them will only chrome new parts. A couple of places which did advertise exhaust work have moved out of state due to local regulations.

Kurt

[Anonymous]

I've tried several local shops. All of them will only chrome new parts.

Most of the time this is to avoid contamination of their plating bath(s) with junk from an old pipe. If they get any contaminants in the bath, they have to dump it and start fresh, which is expensive and a PITA. It might be worth checking if they will do it if the parts have been hot tanked to clean them. A dip in a bath of caustic soda will leave your pipe shiny clean and ready for plating. It can be a challenge to find someone who will hot tank a dirty pipe, though. The platers will often hot tank new parts to provide a clean surface to work on, but they don't want a lot of garbage in that tank, either. I have heard that some radiator repair shops will do dirty parts, since they usually are dealing with old parts and have a tank that they use specifically to get the first layer of grunge off. Never tried that myself, though.

Good luck with it.

Mark

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Kurt. I also had no luck with finding a chromer to re-chrome the old exhaust. If I could get it done, one guy said it would cost at least $300. I just tossed my old RC 4-1 pipe and bought a new V&H 4-1 pipe for $300.
I had other parts chromed and I learned a lesson, don't re-chrome a part if the thickness of the new chrome can cause fit problems. If the chromer uses a layer of copper, the new chrome will be thicker than you expect. Just one example: re-chroming the turn signals will result in the rubber lense gasket no longer being able to seal water out. There are many others. Ask for no layer of copper if you think it will cause a fit problem or at least discuss the part with the chromer.

[jimcor]

I tried to have some old Yamahahaha pipes done some years ago...the platers all laughed. Not in my tanks no-way! Blue-Away an option?

[Anonymous]

I tried to have some old Yamahahaha pipes done some years ago...the platers all laughed. Not in my tanks no-way! Blue-Away an option?

jimcor,

I have a 1980 GS 1100 L. The header portion of the exhaust is showing signs of heat discoloration. I've never used 'Blue-Away', does if do a very good job? I've kind of been keeping my eyes out for a reasonably priced replacement for it, but if Blue-Away is as good as their ad says it is, I think you've solved my problem. I'm just curious, how much 'buffing' does it take to get them looking good again? Thanks for the suggestion, and any further information you might supply.

Best regards,

Vic

PS: if you click my web page, you can see the discoloration i'm talking about, thanks again!!

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I tried to have some old Yamahahaha pipes done some years ago...the platers all laughed. Not in my tanks no-way! Blue-Away an option?

jimcor,

I have a 1980 GS 1100 L. The header portion of the exhaust is showing signs of heat discoloration. I've never used 'Blue-Away', does if do a very good job? I've kind of been keeping my eyes out for a reasonably priced replacement for it, but if Blue-Away is as good as their ad says it is, I think you've solved my problem. I'm just curious, how much 'buffing' does it take to get them looking good again? Thanks for the suggestion, and any further information you might supply.

Best regards,




Vic

PS: if you click my web page, you can see the discoloration i'm talking about, thanks again!!

See my topic "Blue Away" in the Products Review Section.

[KGB]

another option......

I just bought a new Vance and Hines 4>1 exhaust for my GS1000S.
Approx $290 including shipping

If it's rusted at the collector, it's going to be really tough and frustrating to get the crap out.

Just another option