Nedd a recommendation for a Chrome plating shop

Jeffbo1

I have a 1967 Yamaha YL2 that needs to have the gas tank re-chromed...can anyone recommend a reliable and affordable plating shop that i can send my tank to? many thanks! Jeff

LeneMLight · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:02 am Post subject: Chrome

Did you ever find one? I will also need some re-chroming.

MR.CHocko · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:39 am Post subject:

I am going to be honest with you. Chrome plateing is going to be expensive. Considering the age of your bike there is only one plater who I would reccomend you take it too. That would be Brown's PLating. Now you could also ask at a local indepdent bike shop and ask them to reccomend a plater for you.

ztnoo · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 5:21 am Post subject:

Mr. C is correct.
Get ready to hold on to your hat and grab you butt when you are rechroming in today's world.
I recently obtained a quote from Brown's of $65 a lineal foot to replate Suzuki T200 mufflers.
That's 4' x $65 = $260 x 2 = $520.
Yup, that's for two mufflers.
If you want quality, from everything I've ever read and heard, Brown's is at the top of the list.

Here's a good general overview to familiarize yourself with the process and its complexities:
Chrome: The process explained:
http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=708.0

From the Bridgestone forum, http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php here are platers those members have used with good results.
I have personally not used any of the below platers.

"Fuel tank chrome and painting:
Having a fuel tank restored is a big expensive job, I feel it is best to entrust one shop to do the complete job. This way one company cannot say that other did something wrong. For our 350 GTR fuel tank, we used Scottâ€™s Custom Body, he coordinated the chrome himself.
Scottâ€™s workman ship is one of the best. We sent him a restorable tank, he sent back a much better than new tank, Excellent. Contact information below:

Scott"s Custom Body
4112 Conroe St
Manitowoc WI 54220
920-683-9590
Ask for Scott

Thin easy damaged parts:
Mufflers and all thin parts, we used Brownâ€™s Plating; this shop does some of the best work in the country. They are fast and supply excellent service and shipping. However they are very expensive. But the old saying â€œyou get what you pay forâ€ is well said, concerning Browns. Turn around time was only 1 week. Contact information below:

Brown Plating Service
1010 Krebs Station Road
Paducah KY 42003
270-554-1146
Ask for Ronnie
http://brownsplating.com/index.php

Heavy steel parts:
Rims and other thick steel parts were shipped to Shelbyville Plating; this shop does nice work at reasonable prices. You must pack the parts well and ask them to save your packing to return the parts. This is a nice general chrome shop for heavier pieces, they do not use as many plating steps, therefore the parts need to be thicker, so they can buff out the rust pits. The returned parts were very nice, much better than original Bridgestone chrome. We did send them a couple of headlight shells that were not too heavily rusted; they did an excellent job, even on these thin items. Turn around time was about 5 weeks. Contact information below:

Shelbyville Plating
1010 Saint Joseph
Shelbyville IN 46176
317-398-7040
Ask for Mike"

* http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=765.msg2103;topicseen#msg2103

MR.CHocko · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject:

Here is more information and this is from a couple of British bike enthusists. If you have a painted/Chrome plated tank where they plated the tank and then painted over the chrome, it is very expensive. They have mentioned Brown's as being one of the best,but they also mention some guy in Canada.

ztnoo · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 3:56 pm Post subject:

Mr. C,
Where is here?
Forget a link?

ztnoo · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 4:01 pm Post subject:

I found another reported reliable and reputable chromer:
http://danspolishingandchrome.com/

Dan's Polishing and Chrome
145 Duren Industrial Dr.
Adamsville, TN 38310
Phone 731-632-0103
Fax 731-632-1143

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 12:11 pm Post subject:

These are guys who shun the internet. Remeber some of the best sources of information one may ever get, especially when it comes to vintage motorcycles is through contacts made at a Swap meet or at a AMCA meet. Since you asked I will give you a name and number for one of the better British Engine builders in the Northeast. 860-224-4240 that is his shop number. Ask for Phil. This guy is perhaps has one of the most knowledgeable minds that I have ever encountered when it comes antique motorcycle restoration. He can perhaps set you up with a chromer.