Chrome plating - progress and advice on next ateps

[David9694]

Copper or caramel?

So this started as a rather sad Raleigh Gran Sport Frame and has got re-chromed forks that came with another frame.

I guess I rushed the colour-match place one lunchtime - the first time I went there ages ago the man produced a “chip” within minutes and the paint was ready to go. Anyway, the result isn’t quite what I’d hoped for and too late the paint had been cleaned off by the chromers but I think it will build up nicely with the grey anodised set up on my Spa Audax.

[David9694]

So the failed colour match to the original Caramel shade has left me with quite a pleasing copper and chrome frame. MKS copper pedals coming from Taiwan soon, I hope. Components Colour scheme is silver with grey anodised where as possible

I Hadn’t noticed, but the right hand gear lever boss had something solid in it. I tried to drill and tap, but it it didn’t work and I’ve now set the lever bolt in araldite, which seems to have worked. I put it under some tension before leaving it to set. I guess lever bolts can seize too and be neatly filed down: unless it somehow happened in the earlier chroming process, thanks for that, Mr Vendor.

I’m using Dia Compe levers - the lever looks Campag - ish, but I’ve had issues trying to remove them - the upshot is to try to push it off from the inside edge and try to hold the base of the lever together - you need to dislodge the innermost parts that actually sit on the boss. I’ve killed one set previously and they ain’t cheap.

[thatsnotmyname]

I personally wouldn't use that particular plater again. But dont' be afraid to reject an item if it is not to your liking or spec. I've done that many times with chromed parts and the plater has always been 'happy' to put it through the process again at no cost.

Not all platers are the same. There is a plater is Bristol I would happily recommend to anyone, but there is also a plater in south Wales that I would never use again.

[David9694]

Ever watched your project nearly go up in smoke before your eyes? all the hard work and ambition - just because in this case of a broken gear lever boss. Not enough tension on the Araldited lever, so ended up cutting off the bosses and bodging on a Sunrace band-on set over the stumps. Bloomin’ bikes: why, why, why.