Refinishing exhaust flanges and collars

[JustcallmeMrT]

Hi gents,

Just wanted to get your opinion on what the best finish was for the exhaust flanges and collars - should I paint, powder, zinc plate, etc?  What will stand up to the heat the best?

Or is it worth buying a new set?

[AshimotoK0]

The chromer (Mark)  on here in Manchester re-chromes these at a standard rate that's reasonable and cheaper than new .. you can PM him here:

http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=13640

[philward]

I used RSchrome but wasn't 100% pleased. I had a rear guard done and left surface rust on as I thought they would remove as part of their preparation (acid bath???) the guard came back with some rust still on. (the main visible guard was good before I sent it).  I also sent a set of exhaust clamp but learned my lesson and rotary wire brushed all rust/corrosion before sending. I think they charged about 40 squid plus VAT from memory.
Phil

[Trigger]

New ones >>> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB100-CB550-Exhaust-Head-Pipe-Finned-Clamp-Flange-Chrome-/161649759555?hash=item25a3139543

[Trigger]

Exactly what I mean that link Graham, you can see the chrome in between the fins is already starting to rust and that's supposed to be a brand new clamp. Only the top edges of the fins is actually bright chromed, the rest is pretty shoddy really.

I was going to ask the guy that does my forks if he could hard chrome the fins

[BigAl (Alan)]

I had some exhaust flanges and other parts re-chromed by Mark at RS, very pleased with the results. Photo attached

[AshimotoK0]

Yeah mine looked like that Al and they were also done by RS but in the early 80s when chroming was so much better than it is today.

However due to the rough casting it leaves small holes in the chrome and that's where the water etc gets in, pretty soon it's not looking quite as pretty.

Agree .. I got a NOS pair for one of my  250's and you can see, after shelf-only  storage for 30 odd years,  that there's slight rust build up in the 'valleys' where the throwing power of the plating process  is poorer and also where it's hard to reach with a polisher/abrader. I think we have to be fair to Mark at RS here, that this is a very  difficult item to plate and most (if not all ) chromers will struggle with this one, as no doubt Honda did back in the day, and they were starting with a freshly prepared casting.

BTW someone I work with says his dad is a chromer in Hull and that new EU regulation is coming in, which almost outlaws even the 'safer' conventional tri-valent chrome plating (unless you spend oodles on new fancy  plant). David Silver also told us that about 18 months ago. Perhaps, the only way round it is to stockpile the chemicals before the laws come in.

Ash

[Spitfire]

RS re chromed all my clamps in 2007, but looking at them this year some of the chrome is peeling off, one was particularly bad so I ordered a new one from DSS which was already rusting before I fitted it. So rather than go down the same route again I just used high temp aluminium paint on the troughs and left the raised parts chrome, not perfect but at least no rust is visible.

Cheers

Dennis