Mini Resto-mod... to chrome, polish... or not...

rzgkane · Post by **rzgkane** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:19 pm

Ok, so now that I find my Dream is not original I am contemplating doing some cosmetic mods that would have otherwise devalued the bike.

Being new to any type of vehicle resotration I have to ask... what can be chromed? What can be polished? Is there a reason to do one over the other? I am considering:

1. Having both case covers polished or chromed. Pros and cons re each?
2. Chroming or polishing the stator and oil filter covers. Pros and cons?
3. Miscellaneous chroming of nuts and bolts
4. Gas tank side covers could use some love. Chrome? If the current ones are slightly pitted, does that create a problem if I want to re-chrome them?

How expensive is it to chrome parts? What is the approximate charge for small items like nuts and bolts, large items like fuel tank side covers?

pknopp · Post by **pknopp** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:41 pm

You should do ever makes you happy. If you like chrome and want something chrome, chrome it. That's what people did for years.

The only catch is, it is now far more expensive to have something chrome than it used to.

rzgkane · Post by **rzgkane** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 10:37 pm

pknopp wrote:You should do ever makes you happy. If you like chrome and want something chrome, chrome it. That's what people did for years.

The only catch is, it is now far more expensive to have something chrome than it used to.

I think you missed my point. I am ok with doing whatever I want with the bike since, after all, it ain't the original bike I was told it was. The question is more of a technical one.

What can be chromed? Can anything be chromed? What on this bike can be polished? Can both side engine covers be polished up and look good? What are they made of? Stator cover? Chrome or polish? Oil filter cover? Chrome or polish?

I'd like to spiff it up even more than it already is but don't want to waste time trying to polish or chrome something that isn't really susceptible to it. The engine side covers in a quality polish would really make an aesthetic difference.

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:14 am

If the part is smooth aluminum I would polish.
Folks have been polishing and some have chromed the side cases for many years. ............lm

rzgkane wrote:
pknopp wrote:You should do ever makes you happy. If you like chrome and want something chrome, chrome it. That's what people did for years.

The only catch is, it is now far more expensive to have something chrome than it used to.
I think you missed my point. I am ok with doing whatever I want with the bike since, after all, it ain't the original bike I was told it was. The question is more of a technical one.

What can be chromed? Can anything be chromed? What on this bike can be polished? Can both side engine covers be polished up and look good? What are they made of? Stator cover? Chrome or polish? Oil filter cover? Chrome or polish?

I'd like to spiff it up even more than it already is but don't want to waste time trying to polish or chrome something that isn't really susceptible to it. The engine side covers in a quality polish would really make an aesthetic difference.

brcree · Post by **brcree** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:32 pm

Hay Man....Mouse knows his stuff, and I agree with him and others. Plastic will chrome but it takes a separate procedure. Like it has been said, chroming is $$$, hunt around and do your homework, you get what you pay for! Polishing the alum. parts is a good way to go if you are going to do it yourself. I use the red and white buffing blocks.....red first than white. Its a dang awful mess and you need to tale your time with it to make it pop. Getting the clear coat off is the hardest.

ed1965dream · Post by **ed1965dream** » Thu Feb 16, 2012 9:17 am

I just recently had the side covers for my Dream re-chromed. Price was $80 each but they look fabulous. They had a little rust and minor pitting but that would be removed in the plating process.

Being in Ca I think you will have many more chrome platers to choose from than here.

If you chrome the side covers and somewhere down the road decide to put it back to stock I don't see the problem. Just scuff up the chrome and paint.

I'm doing a few things on my bike that aren't original like a solo seat and different mufflers, but anything like that can easily be changed back. Unless you intend to show the bike in a restored class I don't see the problem with making a few changes to your liking.

rzgkane · Post by **rzgkane** » Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:51 am

ed1965dream wrote:I just recently had the side covers for my Dream re-chromed. Price was $80 each but they look fabulous. They had a little rust and minor pitting but that would be removed in the plating process.

Being in Ca I think you will have many more chrome platers to choose from than here.

If you chrome the side covers and somewhere down the road decide to put it back to stock I don't see the problem. Just scuff up the chrome and paint.

I'm doing a few things on my bike that aren't original like a solo seat and different mufflers, but anything like that can easily be changed back. Unless you intend to show the bike in a restored class I don't see the problem with making a few changes to your liking.

That $80 was for the side engine covers, right? Not for the battery and distribution box covers? I think those look better in the same color as the rest of the bike.