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    Is it worth it to re-chrome?

    Anyone have experience getting parts re-chromed? I would like to pretty some parts up. Airbox covers, headlight ears, fork tubes, fenders, etc. What's the cost? Were you satisfied with the results?

    Did you have to do anything to prep the parts first? Did you have to fill in any pitting, remove rust, etc.? If so, how did you prep?
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9zH8w8Civs8ejBJWjdvYi1LNTg&resourcekey=0-hlJp0Yc4K_VN9g7Jyy4KQg&authuser=fussbucket_1%40msn.com&usp=drive_fs
    1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
    1981 HD XLH

    Drew's 850 L Restoration

    Drew's 83 750E Project

    #2
    It will cost more than purchasing clean replacement parts.
    Ed

    To measure is to know.

    Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

    Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

    Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

    KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

    Comment


      #3
      Thats IF replacements are available. If they are NLA and you need / want them then you do what you gotta do.
      MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
      1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

      NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


      I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

      Comment


        #4
        With the great abundance of the new colors I would go with powder coating.

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Charley Davidson View Post
          With the great abundance of the new colors I would go with powder coating.
          they dont do chrome powder coat yet, as far as i know.......
          1978 GS1085.

          Just remember, an opinion without 3.14 is just an onion!

          Comment


            #6
            Well seems like I learn something new each day, which makes up for the two things I forget. I did a quick search and found this: http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&bi...=15&tx=92&ty=5

            Not as nice as real chrome, but probably an acceptable substitute. Ray
            "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded" -Yogi Berra
            GS Valve Shim Club http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=122394
            1978 GS1000EC Back home with DJ
            1979 GS1000SN The new hope
            1986 VFR700F2 Recycled

            Comment


              #7
              but it aint chrome........
              1978 GS1085.

              Just remember, an opinion without 3.14 is just an onion!

              Comment


                #8
                And theres that spray on "chrome" thats featured in Jay Lenos Garage series as well...but it isnt real metal chrome either.
                MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                Comment


                  #9
                  anybody done it?

                  Thanks for the replies guys, but it would be helpful if someone shared their experiences with real chrome.
                  https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9zH8w8Civs8ejBJWjdvYi1LNTg&resourcekey=0-hlJp0Yc4K_VN9g7Jyy4KQg&authuser=fussbucket_1%40msn.com&usp=drive_fs
                  1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
                  1981 HD XLH

                  Drew's 850 L Restoration

                  Drew's 83 750E Project

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I have six 30+ years old bikes....I dont have enough money to rechrome anything. Heard its not cheap.
                    MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                    1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                    NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                    I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      it is very expensive to have things rechromed. they have to strip the old chrome off before prepping it again. i was quoted £50 for the 2 small covers under my tach/speedo to be rechromed. haggled with them and got it cheaper but to have say, an exhaust rechromed it would be cheaper to buy a new one. (which you cant, new anyway!)
                      1978 GS1085.

                      Just remember, an opinion without 3.14 is just an onion!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Or just get it ceramic coated in a "chrome" color.

                        Here are my pipes (still need to be polished) after ceramic coating. Sorry for the way the picture was taken but I'll get a better close up once I'm done with the rebuild:

                        Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

                        1981 GS550T - My First
                        1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's - Now Sold
                        2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

                        Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
                        Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
                        and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Powdercoat or anodise.
                          'Set it, and forget it'!

                          (ceramic for the hot stuff)

                          Comment


                            #14
                            someone here must have done it

                            I do think I will eventually have the exhaust ceramic coated. As for the parts I mentioned in the first post, only chrome will do for me. Surely someone here has done some of this. I would really like more details other than to say it is expensive. Does anyone know just how expensive?
                            https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9zH8w8Civs8ejBJWjdvYi1LNTg&resourcekey=0-hlJp0Yc4K_VN9g7Jyy4KQg&authuser=fussbucket_1%40msn.com&usp=drive_fs
                            1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
                            1981 HD XLH

                            Drew's 850 L Restoration

                            Drew's 83 750E Project

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Last year I had a local chrome shop quote me a price. I asked for the following pars to be chromed:

                              1) Front and rear fenders
                              2) Handle bars
                              3) Pipes (twin)

                              Over $700 bucks. It was not a bike that deserved that kind of investment, so I just used the aluminum foil clean up method (not approved by all): See thread http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=213177

                              Comment

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