Cycling UK Forum

I've got and old Raleigh Royal with 531 frame which has spent too long in the shed which I'm now planning to renovate. Most of the paintwork isn't too bad, the worst problem is the chrome fork ends which are not in a good way - about half the original chromed area is now surface rust (don't think it's too badly pitted). A few questions for anyone in the know on these things:

1. In this state are they safe to use?

2. How viable is having them rechromed?

3. If they can be rechromed can it be done without destroying the original paintwork on the upper parts of the forks?

I've not asked them as yet, but Mercian look like they might be able to help.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Yes, I believe that Mercian can help. I'm a Mercian fan! The forks can be done as separately from the frame.

But why not do the whole lot? Trouble is, you have to send it off, and it takes weeks to come back !! How can you manage without your pride and joy?

Mick F. Cornwall

Hello Pink Panther,
without seeing the extent of the problem, I would be inclined to try a good chrome cleaner first. You may be surprised at how well surface rust can be removed. My preference is for Autosol which works really well. If it doesn't work, you've spent loose change and still have most of the tube left. If it does work, you'll have saved quite a bit and the loss of the frame for a couple of months.

Again without having sight of the problem, I wouldn't expect surface rust to impair the frame: but if you are concerned then seek independent qualified advice (but don't be surprised if this costs more than the value of the frame!)

PinkPanther wrote:I've got an old ...
1. In this state are they safe to use?

Yes.

2. How viable is having them rechromed?

Possible but very expensive. Three times the work of putting chrome on a new fork and subject to much stricter (= more expensive) environmental controls than in 1983. Generally not worth it.

3. If they can be rechromed can it be done without destroying the original paintwork on the upper parts of the forks?

No.

I've not asked them as yet, but Mercian look like they might be able to help.

I'd just ask them to clean up and respray the forks all over with matching paint. Maybe leave just the dropouts chromed. They're usually oily enough not to have become too rusty already.

Thanks for your comments everyone. I read somewhere that using aluminum foil combined with chrome cleaner can help. Not wanting to buy a whole roll of foil (and feeling a bit peckish) I bought a box of Mr Kiplings finest apple pies and used the rough sides of the foil cases on the forks - I think this helped as the foil is thicker tha the baking stuff. well, they're not perfect, but alot better, so I might live with it for a while and keep them oiled or waxed to stop the rust getting any worse.

Mick F - another reason for holding back is having investigated Mercian I think I too could become a big fan, Vincitore Special looks, well special! Maybe the money would be better spent there.

PP

PP, the chrome cleaner your looking for is called Solvol Autosol you can buy it at any good car spares shop.

The stuff I got was by Sonax, from the Vauxhall dealer. Cost me nothing as the parts guy couldn't find it listed on the system! Most Sonax stuff is pretty good, especially their screen wash - not much use on a bike though!

PP