I often wondered why the chromer failed miserably to perfectly chrome plate my rare alloy tank cap from my CB750K0 ( 'Antimon', pot-metal, Mickey Mouse metal etc. etc. whatever you want to call it) but made a perfect job of my side panel and tank badges. I have now discovered that my '69 CB250SS (K0) ones are made of some for of brass so it must be the case that Honda made the early badges 'emblems' from brass, which chromes perfectly.
BTW my 250 side panel badges for a tank painted in Candy Ruby Red / white two-ton should be painted in 'Beans Maroon' whatever colour that is

I assume the beans must be red beans, the type you eat with chilli
Cheers ... AshD