Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => Project Board => Topic started by: Alan4 on October 21, 2016, 11:37:07 PM

Title: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Alan4 on October 21, 2016, 11:37:07 PM
 The chrome on a set  of  fork stanchions / pipes  I have , is in a very bad state ... the concern for this bike  is not what it looks like but what it will do to the fork seals....What is the experience of re chroming stanchions or is it  better  to buy  replacements   ..?     
 Any advice  will be appreciated .     
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Bryanj on October 21, 2016, 11:57:18 PM
Depends on the bike
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: kevski on October 22, 2016, 05:07:27 PM
As a rule these days it is cheaper to buy new stanchions rather than having them rechromed, the main problem now in this country with chrome plating is the legislation attached to the process making it harder and more expensive to stay within regulations, david silvers will sell the legs at a decent price.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Chris400F on October 22, 2016, 05:17:21 PM
If you do a search on these forums you will find a number of references to Philpotts who will rechrome stanchions.
I haven't used them but comments from others seem to say that rechroming by them is as cheap or cheaper than new parts and will give a better and more durable finish.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Pops400 on October 22, 2016, 05:56:05 PM
Interesting, Chris. Do you know where abouts they are?
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: royhall on October 22, 2016, 06:04:41 PM
Philpots will rechrome them for about the same price as new. However, the rechroming will be far superior to the new ones and will still be in good condition in another 40 years. Also the legislation on chroming does not extend to hard chrome as their are no useable alternatives.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Chris400F on October 22, 2016, 06:23:18 PM
Interesting, Chris. Do you know where abouts they are?

From a quick search on here I reckon this is the place: http://www.pittedforks.co.uk/. They are in Luton.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: royhall on October 22, 2016, 06:56:18 PM
Interesting, Chris. Do you know where abouts they are?

From a quick search on here I reckon this is the place: http://www.pittedforks.co.uk/ (http://www.pittedforks.co.uk/). They are in Luton.
I agree, these are the guys. Did a wonderful job on my Triumph tubes.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Trigger on October 22, 2016, 07:21:20 PM
I have only used Philpotts for 32 years now  ;)
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Pops400 on October 22, 2016, 07:34:26 PM
Cheers Chris.  8)
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Alan4 on October 22, 2016, 11:27:55 PM
Thanks for all the helpful reply's / suggestions   ... yes looking at the prices at http://www.pittedforks.co.uk/ and at a couple of sites for new   as you say   the price is similar ....  Having looked on their web site .....Pittedforks  in Luton is   20 ish miles  from where I work  so its an positive option  , I need to give them a call during the week .....
Again thanks for sharing with me your experience, and your suggestions .

 
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: kevski on October 23, 2016, 11:31:54 AM
Philpots will rechrome them for about the same price as new. However, the rechroming will be far superior to the new ones and will still be in good condition in another 40 years. Also the legislation on chroming does not extend to hard chrome as their are no useable alternatives.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

The legislation attached to chroming de-chroming apply to all aspects of the process regardless of decorative or hard chrome, health and safety disposal of wash off and processing of all waste within the industry is a costly business, it is nasty stuff that demands respect, and therefore drives up the cost, the last time i contacted Philpots the price of rechroming was twice the price of new stanchions'
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Bryanj on October 23, 2016, 05:27:41 PM
Depends on the stanchions and phillpots chroming will last 4 times as long
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: royhall on October 23, 2016, 05:29:36 PM
Wasnt twice the price in my case ie. Re-chrome £175 plus vat and new at £139 plus vat. Yes they were more expensive but the quality is way better than new, worth every penny....On the legislation front, I was referring to Hexavalent Chromium being banned for decorative chrome from next year, this does not apply to Hard Chrome as there are no alternatives. For decorative chrome they are being forced to use Trivalent Chromium which does not prevent rust or shine as well. The disposal and use of chemicals regulations applies equally to both types. Sorry for the confusion.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Chris400F on October 23, 2016, 06:02:30 PM
Had a look at DS web site, stanchions are £150 + VAT for a pair of pattern items (400/500/750) compared to the £175 + VAT for rechroming your [presumably] genuine parts.
Given the overwhelming number of opinions I'd go down the Philpotts route every time.
Yes, rechroming involves some pretty nasty stuff which is why I would get it done by experts who will have factored the necessary associated costs into the prices they charge.
If you have a look at the Philpotts site they have a page detailing their 'Green Credentials' so they appear to take this aspect very seriously.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Trigger on October 23, 2016, 06:53:52 PM
Philpotts will also do the caps in with the price, and if you have a 500 four or 750, they will also do that nice chrome dome on the rear wheel spindle in hard chrome. You lads know the one, the one that some muppet has taken a lump hammer to >:(
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: kevski on October 23, 2016, 07:43:27 PM
Wasnt twice the price in my case ie. Re-chrome £175 plus vat and new at £139 plus vat. Yes they were more expensive but the quality is way better than new, worth every penny....On the legislation front, I was referring to Hexavalent Chromium being banned for decorative chrome from next year, this does not apply to Hard Chrome as there are no alternatives. For decorative chrome they are being forced to use Trivalent Chromium which does not prevent rust or shine as well. The disposal and use of chemicals regulations applies equally to both types. Sorry for the confusion.

Neither trivalant or hexavalant will prevent rust, the shine will only be as good as the preparation of the sub strata, there is no confusion where the regs are concerned.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: royhall on October 24, 2016, 07:08:25 AM
That is correct they are both porous. Trivalant being more so.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: royhall on October 24, 2016, 11:22:49 AM
Were all going to die. Were doomed I tell you!!!!
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: AshimotoK0 on October 24, 2016, 11:35:31 AM
No expert but I don't believe hard chrome is porous or anywhere as near porous as decorative chrome. Its done at very high current densities c/w decorative type.

Impressed with my Z650B stanchions done by Phillpots in the late 80's. They quoted me the same for a tiddler though as for CB500 stanchions, so not really economically viable on small bikes. On their stand at Stafford last year  they had some rechromed top nuts ...wasn't really impressed with the finish on those ! but as everyone says, their ground hard chrome is superb.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: kevski on October 24, 2016, 07:52:03 PM
No expert but I don't believe hard chrome is porous or anywhere as near porous as decorative chrome. Its done at very high current densities c/w decorative type.

Impressed with my Z650B stanchions done by Phillpots in the late 80's. They quoted me the same for a tiddler though as for CB500 stanchions, so not really economically viable on small bikes. On their stand at Stafford last year  they had some rechromed top nuts ...wasn't really impressed with the finish on those ! but as everyone says, their ground hard chrome is superb.

Tri - Hex no difference both are full of macro cracks so there is no waterproofing, the substrata for forks needs to be nickel and the decorative needs copper the higher the polished surface the the deeper the shine both tri and hex will give that lovely deep shine if preparation is spot on.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: AshimotoK0 on October 24, 2016, 08:39:34 PM
No expert but I don't believe hard chrome is porous or anywhere as near porous as decorative chrome. Its done at very high current densities c/w decorative type.

Impressed with my Z650B stanchions done by Phillpots in the late 80's. They quoted me the same for a tiddler though as for CB500 stanchions, so not really economically viable on small bikes. On their stand at Stafford last year  they had some rechromed top nuts ...wasn't really impressed with the finish on those ! but as everyone says, their ground hard chrome is superb.

Tri - Hex no difference both are full of macro cracks so there is no waterproofing, the substrata for forks needs to be nickel and the decorative needs copper the higher the polished surface the the deeper the shine both tri and hex will give that lovely deep shine if preparation is spot on.

Sounds like you know your onions ..so where would you go for decorative chroming to be done?
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: kevski on October 25, 2016, 12:20:23 PM
I know a little, i am a former metallurgical chemist, my last job within the industry was for a international rotogravure printing company that did everything in house, i came away in 2009 without any regrets as the plating game is so hazardous, i could only say London plating will do a good job as they are the only ones i had ever used apart from myself and i took care of any small parts as i had everything i needed at hand supplied free of charge, a nice position to be in at the time, these days i tend to buy new because wherever you go they are up against a mountain of regs, and to make it cheaper minimal amounts of everything goes on just to make it profitable.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Bodd on October 25, 2016, 12:45:45 PM
When I did my Yamaha RD I had the stanchions done by Philpots because you can't get new/pattern ones for it, fortunately when I did the 400F1 cafe racer I got a new set from DS, I say fortunately because I will NEVER use Philpots again, what was promised as a 3 week job took over 3 months and they constantly lied to me, "they are in op" then a fortnight later "he will be starting them today" , next we had "the guy doing yours is off sick" etc. etc.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Chris400F on October 25, 2016, 02:06:19 PM
I have seen various comments about Philpotts on the web and all others have been positive.
I don't know why Bodd had a bad experience but it doesn't seem to be typical.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: royhall on October 25, 2016, 03:42:10 PM
My Triumph tubes took about 6 weeks. About on a par with the other decorative chroming I had done elsewhere. Not Too bad really.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Bodd on October 25, 2016, 04:18:16 PM
Someone else from the Aircooled RD Club sent the stanchions and tubes to them for a full refurb and got them back with the drain screws not tightened, they had leaked all over the inside of the box and he had to send them back because he couldn't get the top nuts off to refill them, they did put them right but it doesn't instil confidence.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: mike the bike on October 25, 2016, 06:24:48 PM
Or they don't like two smokes.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Bodd on October 25, 2016, 06:57:43 PM
Matbe as there are a few dissatisfied Pitted forks/Philpots/AMP Hardchrome customers on the RD club forum.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: kevski on October 25, 2016, 07:30:47 PM
I am not privvey to phillpots set up, but i think the turn around times are way too long.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: petermigreen on October 25, 2016, 07:47:58 PM
I am not privvey to phillpots set up, but i think the turn around times are way too long.
Last set of stanchions I took to Phillpots, they quoted 8 weeks and delivered in 4. The second set they'd done for me.

Mightily impressed both times and for me, the value of having my original stanchions in new condition far outweighed replacement stanchions at a commensurate price.

Bear in mind they don't just hard chrome fork stanchions for classic motorcycle restorers, they do chroming for many applications across industry, so that will have an effect on lead times.

If you are smart and can plan ahead, then what's 4-8 weeks for a set of stanchions, collected and delivered, in the context of a restoration which is months if not years in length. Just get them off early in the process.
Title: Re: Fork Stanchions / pipes - Re chrome or replace
Post by: Bodd on October 25, 2016, 08:27:20 PM
The work was fine but there is absolutely no excuse for lying to customers.
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal