re: [CR]Plating a fork

(Example: Framebuilders:Brian Baylis)

Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 09:41:10 -0500
From: "HM & SS Sachs" <sachs@erols.com>
To: d-gordon@sbcglobal.net, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: re: [CR]Plating a fork


Dave Gordon asks:

Does anyone know off hand, what it costs to have a fork replated chrome, on average, and lowest price for decent work? Any recommendations of a place to send it to, as well as your experience with them? Also were there any things that jack up the price, like rust, or pitting, whatever? And if so, how much, from your experience. ++++++++++++++++++++++++

Using the only two data points I have, I'd put up a large "caution" flag for rechroming tubular stock, and for seeking lowest price on this work.

1) We did get a motorcycle shop to do some rechroming on an early 60s Atala about 1970. Didn't come out too badly -- till the seat stay rotted out from the inside. Despite the fact that they drilled oversized drain holes, it is hard to flush properly.

2) Waterford will not rechrome forks. Richard Schwinn says, if I understand him correctly, that they just do't feel it can be done properly w/o endangering the tubine. They have my '38 P'mount now, and it just won't get a chromed fork. This is not a new policy for them; a couple of decades ago, when my '65 full chrome Paramount suffered a hairline crack in the top tube, Schwinn refused to rechrome, too.

I'm still willing to try rechroming solid stock, like cranks, chainrings, and headset pieces.

Of course, your mileage may vary...

harvey sachs
mcLean va
4" snow, but a howling wind out there.