500 K cafe racer conversion - build thread

[Ewan 500 K1]

Got my bits back from powder coating today . £165 including a tiny bit of spot welding. Very happy with the job, the coaters blanked off all bearing surfaces, thread holes etc.   

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]   [ Guests cannot view attachments ]   [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Just need a few bits chromed now before putting it all back togeather.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Cumbria Plating Services at Currock in Carlisle , who I've used in the past, are no longer doing chrome and I'm hearing bad reports on Cumbria Metal Finishings at Longtown Cumbria.

Anyone got any recommendations on a plater who will do via the post ?

[Ewan 500 K1]

woooooof ......just got a quote for chroming by sending off some photos. £168 for the bits in the pic above. Am I a cheapskate or is that well over the odds ?  Any views on nickel plating ?

[stuartni]

Bike looks great so far good work

[ka-ja]

Hi,
   Just across the river from me, 4 off 400/4 finned exhaust clamps, three assorted levers all in polished chrome, with 4 sets of exhaust collets in industrial chrome-£60 the lot and a brilliant job---Ken

[Ewan 500 K1]

Hi,
   Just across the river from me, 4 off 400/4 finned exhaust clamps, three assorted levers all in polished chrome, with 4 sets of exhaust collets in industrial chrome-£60 the lot and a brilliant job---Ken

sounds more like it kaja ... was that quality Chrome that OJ mentioned ?

[ka-ja]

Hi Ewan,
Yes, that's the one, really helpful lads who know two wheels, do a lot of scooter stuff, the only fault I found with them is the need for a Satnav to find them, well hidden workshop!----Ken

[ka-ja]

Hi Oddjob,
                 I will try to sort out a photo of the clamps, they have certainly a nice polish on them, I don't know off hand if that is a reflection of the original finish or the good work of the platers----Ken

[Ewan 500 K1]

woooooof ......just got a quote for chroming by sending off some photos. £168 for the bits in the pic above. Am I a cheapskate or is that well over the odds ?  Any views on nickel plating ?

Try these guys, there work looks very nice, check the gallery.

http://www.qualitychrome.co.uk/gallery.php?gallery=1

I was quoted £30 to rechrome a 500 brake pedal if that's any indication of price.

Quality Chrome quoting £172 + VAT + postage = £226
Home of Chrome = £168 including VAT and postage

[Ewan 500 K1]

woooooof ......just got a quote for chroming by sending off some photos. £168 for the bits in the pic above. Am I a cheapskate or is that well over the odds ?  Any views on nickel plating ?

Try these guys, there work looks very nice, check the gallery.

http://www.qualitychrome.co.uk/gallery.php?gallery=1

I was quoted £30 to rechrome a 500 brake pedal if that's any indication of price.

Quality Chrome quoting £172 + VAT + postage = £226
Home of Chrome = £168 including VAT and postage

Jackson Plating LTD= £132 inc VAT and return delivery  (anyone used them before ?)

[Ewan 500 K1]

Picked up chroming job  from Cumbria Metal Finshers, proper triple coating. Seems like a decent job , despite previous comment, nd reasonably priced at £120 inc VAT. Im happy with what they've done http://cumbriametalfinishingltd.co.uk/

[Ewan 500 K1]

So, now that the frame has been coated and I've got my chroming back, I'm ready for the final reassembly .... summer here we come 

Engine in the frame, new headstock bearings in, new swingarm shock mount bushes installed, swing arm on, Hagon 14 and a half inch rear shocks on.

[Ewan 500 K1]

back wheel on, forks on, front wheel on. Chain clearance with longer rear shocks not leaving much room .. might need to get a swing arm protector

[Ewan 500 K1]

Tarozzi rearsets on... not get enough "spring back" on the brake lever side using the stock honda spring, will need to think about that.

[Ewan 500 K1]

Baffled Exhausts & NHK 500 ODM Steering Damper on.  Close up photos of the steering damper show left and right full locks (bearing in mind the steering stop was extended 10cm either way)

[Johnwebley]

great work Ewan,

 I shall be very interested when its finished and running,

 good luck,and keep us informed !!!