My current project continues to be a huge learning process - not the least of which is buying chromed steel parts as opposed to the alloy 70s-80s parts with which I am more familiar. Having just got a price for replating a few 40s-50s parts I am now forced to decide whether it is worth having all, some or none of the parts done. I must admit that I had no way of telling how much it would be until the shop wrote up an estimate for me. Their product looks very good - three-part process, copper, nickel and chrome and the price, in real terms, seems good. However, it is a little on the pricey side for me especially after all that I have paid for the project so far.
Of course the decision to proceed is mine, but I am wondering when and how others make the decision about whether it is worth the expense?
The parts in question include a headclip stem, a nice set of North Road bars, a Durax chainset, and a BSA lamp bracket. Having bought these parts I am not sure that I want to go the route of buying even more parts. And, yet, a different part with better chrome or a period-correct alloy part may be cheaper than paying for replating.
Dilemmas once again ...
Paul Williams,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada