Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: Woodside on September 25, 2014, 08:15:03 PM

Title: Nickel frame?
Post by: Woodside on September 25, 2014, 08:15:03 PM
Why would this have a chrome / nickel frame .....or is it just a good paint job...
Was it just a P/O with access to a chroming tank...
Would look smart on a cafe racer

I like the look of it anyway ....I'd call it the "money pit"

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CB500-4-FOUR-FOR-RESTORATION-OR-SPARES-/321530104310?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item4adcb009f6
Title: Re: Nickel frame?
Post by: Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP) on September 25, 2014, 08:26:47 PM
Hmmm not sure about that but what I am sure of is what a friggin waste.What is it with MUPPETS!!!!!!!!!iF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN IT SELL IT BRAIN DEADS
Cheers
Bitsa
Title: Re: Nickel frame?
Post by: Trigger on September 25, 2014, 08:44:47 PM
Back in the late 70's it was cheap to have a frame chromed. If you worked at British Rail engineering works you could get it for free. I have a swinging arm from a CB500 chromed that i removed from a bike that i put back to standard. It was cheaper to buy another arm than to have the chrome stripped.
Title: Re: Nickel frame?
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on September 25, 2014, 09:41:33 PM
Rickmans had nickle plated frames.
Title: Re: Nickel frame?
Post by: Trigger on September 25, 2014, 09:57:38 PM
Good man Steve, that is where i have seen one before. Been rattling my brain over that one :)
Title: Re: Nickel frame?
Post by: K2-K6 on September 25, 2014, 10:28:23 PM
I was recently talking to someone with  a nickle plated frame, it was a Cheney (originally near you Steve at Fleet) they usually made moto-cross and enduro type frames but this was one of six Phil Read had ordered specifically to build a batch of Yamaha twin engined GP road race bikes.

Anyway, the nickle plating comes about because the frames were made from thin wall high spec steel tubing that was joined with a high nickle content bronze brazing rods to best match the steel's toneage rating. apparently if you chromed this combination, then there would be a transfer of chromium into the nickle joints that would degrade their strength rating.......so they are usually nickle plated to avoid this, it's also very thin and light weight while offering goog corosion resistance.

All that I guess has nothing to do with a Honda frame, the Read/Cheney/Yam was really nice though.
Title: Re: Nickel frame?
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on September 26, 2014, 08:54:59 AM
I'll ask Phil about that - he will probably be able to fill in more details (he has a phenominal memory!)

Steve
Title: Re: Nickel frame?
Post by: K2-K6 on September 26, 2014, 08:48:14 PM
The owner has spoken to Phil about it, he originally got the bike and didn't realise it's origins but on researching it then he got to track it back.

Phil confirmed the bike was his as the owner was trying to find out if he'd ridden that very bike at all, Phil confirmed that he'd had six built and also that he'd raced each on of them at some point.
I can't recall the owners name but met him at a small motor show down in Whitstable last month and he also had a period correct MK1 transit and various kit to make up a vintage race setup.
the bike had recently been finished and basically run up to check it and he was planning on a bigger setup outing to get it dialled in properly.

I've got a picture of it somewhere so I'll get that posted for you.
Title: Re: Nickel frame?
Post by: Lynx on September 26, 2014, 09:02:33 PM
What a sad sight :'(. I hope someone can give it the attention it deserves.
Title: Re: Nickel frame?
Post by: andy120t on September 27, 2014, 10:33:21 AM
I saw a fairly recent thread on the US forum where someone had a Rickman framed CB500. I can't locate it right now - but the seat/rear frame rails were straight and flat as opposed to the ones on the bike at the start of the thread.
Title: Re: Nickel frame?
Post by: Woodside on September 27, 2014, 10:40:16 AM
Tell me if I'm wrong but it does just look like a standard frame that's been coated ....
And I looked at the sellers history. It looks like he knows his bikes...
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