Chrome conundrum

[dude99]

So I've been happily cleaning and painting all the little bits on my GT750 (I'll update my thread eventually) however I've gotten to the point where I more or less have to deal with the fenders and other chrome bits. The issue is, ALL my chrome is shot. It's pitted and not really usable in its current form. I want to eventually put collectors plates on this bike and for where I am that means the bike has to appear completely stock, and in excellent condition. So the pitted chrome is not going to cut it. Similarly, I can't just paint the fenders gloss black as that would no longer appear stock......

Chroming around me (unless anyone knows other wise) is an ungodly expense. So I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good chrome alternative, or of a cheap source of replica fenders. I've tried ebay with no luck, I also tried some chrome spray paint on a second set of really, really bad fenders I had, and I wasn't happy with the outcome.....

Thoughts?

[Suzsmokeyallan]

You need to check places further afield from your location and get quotes for the work you need done. You make even have to ship the parts out of state. GT750 fenders are not cheap to buy, NOS ones run usually around $300.00 or more, so rechroming old ones is actually a better deal and usually cheaper.
Here is a photo of a hard to find 77 GT750 ft fender I found on ebay a while ago for around $30.00. The reason it was so cheap was because it had a few dents on it. I bought it and repaired the plethora of dents that were on it then had it rechromed, the total price for the fender and rechroming was just around $200.00

[dude99]

I'm also looking into this https://tune.pk/video/3269993/spray-on- ... eno-garage" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've seen kits that seem to be a very sillier product for around $80.... It might be worth a shot


My budget for this bike is dwindling fast so $200 for each of the fenders + all the other chrome bits sadly isn't an option....

[Drewski]

I want to eventually put collectors plates on this bike and for where I am that means the bike has to appear completely stock, and in excellent condition.

Would this not mean that replica/pattern parts are also a "no-no"?

Getting chrome done to show standard is never cheap because of the time it takes to remove the old chrome and prepare the surface for more chrome.

There are different finishes too depending on how the metal is prepared for plating and if you want to show the bike, you will need the correct finish. The whiter type of chrome looks different to the original finish and, if I recall the process correctly, you need a plater that buffs the metal with copper first. This levels out the surface and removes any imperfections caused during manafacture.

My advice would be to use someone familiar with chroming parts for motorcyle restorations......it's not going to be easy to get it done economically though and cheap chrome and/or the plating on some pattern parts doesn't last unless you keep the bike in a climate controlled garage a don't let it within a couple of miles of any moisture

I don't know if it's the same in The States at the moment but I've found myself haggling for cheaper prices recently, some of these places think that just because you have a 1970's bike, you must be a milionaire

[dude99]

Pattern parts are allowed. The bike just has to lool stock.

[dude99]

Has anyone tried chrome powder coat? While not chrome I've heard that it closely resembles polished aluminum which could be good enough for me.

[jabcb]

In Pennsylvania the requirements are mostly based on the honor system. The government employees deciding if your bike qualifies aren’t experts.
They know your bike meets the age requirement, but wouldn’t know if your GT750 has a correct fender or a Honda fender.

I have two Suzukis with vintage plates.
My 69 T350 had a T250 gas tank when I got the vintage plate. (Have since got a correct body set from Paul Miller.)
The other is a 72 T250 that’s all original, but they wouldn’t know that either.

[dude99]

For us we have to send pictures of our bikes, then they compare those to the file photos they have for that bike. Most stuff won't really matter, but I know they are sticklers for paint chips and rust.