Chrome plate or use new pattern parts

[jreddy]

Hi Everyone
                   restoring Honda 175cd ,and I have original rims and a set of exhausts not in great condition ,rims look like they could be saved but just wondering about quality of pattern parts ,everything from david silver spares to the ones further afield.Or can you even get mufflers rechromed I am a bit clueless in that reguard. any hel or advice would be great. I have gotten parts (hinges and handles for old Dresser )rechromed by Chromefix in the UK before Brixit  (they were vgood) but expensive .So just want to hear your thoughts and experiences ...Thanks in advance.

[SumpMagnet]

Most chroming companies won't rechrome silencers these days. It ruins the whole solution bath as you simply cannot clean the insides out. If you do find someone willing, expect it to be very expensive.

Don't know about specifics for the 175, but from my experience, silencers tend to rot from the inside out, so most will look better than they really are for use. It's nice to preserve the original look and decent repro parts may or may not be out there. So choices may be limited here.

If I was rebuilding a wheel ( I have some that will need doing, but not for my Honda) new rims and spokes would be my choice. Purely for reliability and because you have no real way of knowing what they have endured in their lifespan and unless you are a concourse nut and bolt original restorer, and having the right rims is important, I would replace those. Opinions..I am sure..will vary.

[Bryanj]

New rims and spokes then search for exhausts, used to be several makes of pattern ones but may be scarce now

[Laverda Dave]

I was quoted £300 for a re-chrome of a 400/4 rim. It's cheaper to buy new and whilst you are at it, buy and fit stainless spokes and repaint the hubs👍

[Johnny4428]

For what it’s worth, my opinion is the parts that I had done recently by Chromfix came home looking very smooth and blingy, nothing like the original finish which was quite rough when plated. For that reason I would try to get replacement parts. But I’m sure there must be a more sympathetic finisher out there that does plating and has a good grasp on the original look. Anybody else find this?

[jreddy]

Hi Sump Magnet, BryanJ  Laverda Dave,Johnny4428
                                                                         Thank you guys for the good advice  I will go with the replace all Rims and (Stainless)spokes and Exhausts if possible to source, I was thinking of just powder painting the hubs in grey ,?? and any advice on who to purchase the rims from would be great I have looked at Centeral wheel components ,and david silver spares ,but since brixit if you guys have any other non UK sources (the Tax is lets just say Taxing) I have a friend over there that would post them over but ,I would prefer to sort out myself....I think i seen a lot of  Wheel rims in Thailand anyone any experience??
  Thanks again
Oh Yes Johnny4428 the handles and hinges from Chromefix were very bling ,they would be too much for a bike ok