Greetings from Stoke-on-Trent with pic

[stokey]

Hi, just joined & thought I would let you know a bit about me. I have been repairing / restoring bikes since the early 70's, but running a small restoration business here for the last 3 years since being made redundant, I do alloy polishing, rebuilds wiring and anything else that needs doing CB's & Yam RD's are my favorits.
The bikes in my sig are mine and are either done or in the process of being done when time permits, if you are ever in my neck of the woods give me a ring 07909995377 the kettle is always on. hope this lets you know a bit about me great site by the way.
   

[LesterPiglet]

Hello and welcome. Question. 1980 CB550?

[stokey]

I thought that too but not checked the numbers yet it's still in boxes, been that way since last August, but that's what it says in the log book. But on another note I've got a Yamaha RD 500 the was registered in late 1987 but they only made them in 84/85. 

[hairygit]

Could have been unsold stock lying around at a dealers, the V5 only gives the date of registration, not manufacture

[LesterPiglet]

Get a pic up of the LC please. I haven't seen one in years.

[stokey]

Will this do oops sorry there is two of them

[LesterPiglet]

OOoh, I like the yeller one. Never seen that colour before.

[stokey]

They were meant to be Kenny Roberts reps but they only made them in red/white, black/red, Marlboro orange and blue after the french fags so I got a guy to a design like this not exact reps but close. The one below is another variation I have done not one for the rivet counters used all year round unless it snows

[LesterPiglet]

As you do restoration do you know where to get chroming done...on a budget? I just got fork ears unfortunately they are black.

[stokey]

chroming is silly money at the moment it's the cost of the chemicals and the licences they need to do it, I have just finished a Triumph bonny for a guy it was cheaper to get new than get the old stuff chromed, the ajs I've got has chrome panels on the side of the tank the chromer said it would be £40 per side and he said they wouldn't look great, I got new pattern ones for £100. most of them are about the same price, and I've found the ones that are cheap give a crap finish.
If I have to get something done there is a firm in Crewe called NYPHOS they do a top job polish it up remove any old chrome & rust before they chrome but they are NOT cheap sorry I cant help more.

 

[LesterPiglet]

Thanks anyhoo. I don't think fork ears are available anywhere new so I'll need to look out for better used ones.

[basketcase]

When I lived up in Stoke I used a guy in Stafford, Chrome restoration services. Brilliant finish and not too expensive but you wait a while. His number is: 01785 212878 if you fancy giving him a go.

[stokey]

thanks will do