Chrome Plating

kingzero · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:47 pm Post subject: Chrome Plating

Hi guys. I am looking for a chrome plater for my YCS1.
Anybody have any leads on a good one. Preferably in the Michigan area ?
Thanks,
Bob

dorT500 · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:14 am Post subject:

Not in Michigan but I have 'heard' nothing but good things from posters on the internet about Browns'..... some from the VJMOG forum. Although the words Re-chroming and inexpensive do not belong in the same sentence Wink

, I think they are basically a little less than I have paid for 'show chrome' from a place in Houston. Good Luck

http://brownsplating.com/news.php

http://vjmog.com/ftopict-1635-chroming.html

http://vjmog.com/ftopict-1106-chroming.html

http://vjmog.com/ftopict-1157-chroming.html

tbpmusic · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:38 am Post subject:

I can personally vouch for Brown's.
They're fast (usually one-week turn-around) and very high quality. They do a LOT of bike work.
Plus, they back up their work - if there are problems, they do it again for free.
Re-chroming is very expensive no matter where you have it done, so might as well opt for quality........
Using someplace cheap usually doesn't end well.

K5 · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:10 pm Post subject:

+1 on Brown's. Try to find a local dealer for them. I used Digger's Speed Shop in Kalamazoo. At the time, Brown's had an on-line catalog with prices. Digger's only charged me for the parts I wanted chromed and shipping. They packaged the parts. Although the prices seemed high; the service was great.

Bikegeezer · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:23 am Post subject:

Brown's is A1. But for the prices they charge, I try to find brand new parts. It often turns out a lot expensive that way. FYI, Brown's jobs usually turn out way better than the original factory chroming. I had a look at Gordon's Water Buffalo at Barber this year. He used Browns. And though the chrome was gorgeous, it looked "over restored" to me - so much better than original that it was an obvious restoration, even from 50 feet away!

Stu

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:57 am Post subject:

Brown's plating has lately caused a lot of bikes to have points deducted for over restoration, at many AMCA meets. I know this personally, because I have frequently been called (more like coerced) to judge.

tbpmusic · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:41 am Post subject:

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:02 pm Post subject:

Yes too shiny, especially when compared to NOS parts. Brown's is great for VJMC standards, but not for AMCA standards, as they expect it to be similiar to what was shown in a showroom.

K5 · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 5:58 am Post subject:

I'm not a big fan of "too shiny, less points", but there is a noticeable difference between stock and Brown's. If certain judging events deduct for this; so be it. Personally; I like the work & finish from Brown's.

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:48 am Post subject:

When it comes to antique motorcycles, the AMCA and its judgeing standards is highly regarded. Not to mention it is very prestigious for a motorcycle to go through the AMCA judgeing ranks. The goal of the AMCA judgeing is to duplicate what was on the show room floor at the time that a particular bike is new.
Now everyone is entitled to their opinion, as to what they like. But I am just stating what happens when a bike with over polishing,etc. goes through the process. Currently, there happens to be a lot of this going on now with motorcycles, especially with some of the car guys begining to get into motorcycles and wanting to show at AMCA events. Just to let everyone know I am out to insult anyone I am just stating what I have seen as a Vendor and as an attendee at the meets.

K5 · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:58 am Post subject:

I can appreciate the level of judging that focuses on showroom details. Thanks for the explanation and feedback.

tbpmusic · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:31 am Post subject:

Well, there can't be any argument that chrome from Brown's is orders of magnitude better than anything Honda ever did.

So, if the point of a concourse restoration is to replicate stock, then Browns' chrome will get gigged for sure.

If it's not a persnickety restoration, then Brown's is better than rust...........

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:38 am Post subject:

Personally, I view Brown's work as some of the best out there. I have seen stuff that they have done back in the 70's and it is still good. The problem is I think is that Brown's plateing is a little bit thicker then the Japanese plating.

yamasarus · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:27 am Post subject:

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:24 am Post subject:

I don't think the goal is penalize someone from polishing stuff that was supposed to be polished. It is to have a bike as accurate as possible as to what it looked on the show room floor. The point is that with the materials that we have avaliable now we can and will exceede factory finish from the 70's, but what they are trying to do is penalize people who over polish,etc. If you don't show your bike at a AMCA meet that is fine, it is your bike, show it where you want.