Chrome plated tank?

Johnnymac · Dec 18, 2011

Has anyone had their gas tank chrome plated? I am thinking about replacing my tank in the future and thought that this might be a nice alternative to the alloy tanks which are like gold dust.

Unclviny · Dec 18, 2011

In order for chrome to look good the steel must be PERFECT!!, paint hides blemishes but chrome amplifies them.
This will NOT be a cheap date! (but it would look great).

Vince

ntst8 · Dec 18, 2011

I can't find a pic at the moment but there is one Commando in our NZ club with chrome sides on an interstate tank. The rest is paint finished. Does look quite swish.

Carbonfibre · Dec 19, 2011

Chroming a steel tank will cost more than an alloy one new.

fredful · Dec 19, 2011

This chrome tank idea could be breeching the bling threshold :mrgreen:

blacklotus99 · Dec 19, 2011

Looked in to this idea another way. http://www.alsacorp.com/ Stunning finish. Got a quote from the painter to put this on my norvil tank and seat unit and $$$. The cost to do one of those lambos would be horrific.

Mark F · Dec 19, 2011

You mean like this. Not mine but it does look good doesn't it.

Johnnymac · Dec 19, 2011

Mark F said:
You mean like this. Not mine but it does look good doesn't it.

That is very nice indeed!

mikegray660 · Dec 19, 2011

So you want it to look like a BSA then? But it does look very nice -

as mentioned the tank must be perfect and a good chrome job is about $500 - i inquired recently at a shop nearby about having my tank for my A10 BSA rechromed and was told about $500-750 after they looked at it ( no dents but needed stripping) - suddenly the old worn chrome became "patina" and more vintage like :shock:

Torontonian · Dec 19, 2011

As a general rule of thumb look up what the part you want chromed costs new, double that amount and you will be holding the chromed item in your hands..Lots of labour involved in getting the surface acceptable. Electro dipping in tanks of various steaming compounds of metals and washes in between ,a process I was invited to witness to understand the high costs including EPA authorized removal of spent tanks and bringing in safely the new toxic mixes . Hundreds of thousands of dollars. So now you understand why.

Brithit · Dec 19, 2011

Here is a pic I took at the Baxter Cycle 2008 picnic. The bike belongs to Jim Vander Griff of Kansas City. Jim told me they took a very nice - but not perfect - tank, and copper plated it many times to build up the surface. They block sanded the copper to get a very smooth surface. This took much labor, and several rounds of plating and sanding. Results were very nice - if you like bling.

https://picasaweb.google.com/donsbikesa ... 0256244322

Johnnymac · Dec 19, 2011

I am thinking that a fully chromed tank might not be the way to go..... to much bling.... Not to mention the fact that if the sun hits it at the right angle, it would blind you while riding!

lrutt · Dec 19, 2011

I have a Ducati Monster Cromo edition, 2001. one of 50 in the us. At the time I checked to see what a replacement tank would run if it were damaged.................... $4000 for just the tank, no fixings. 10 years later and it's still going strong and always gets great comments. And I have agreed value insurance on it

zig freed · Dec 20, 2011

Yo Johnny Mac a wise man named Harvey Earl once said "When in doubt chrome it out" Merry Christmas Ziggy

mikegray660 · Dec 20, 2011

zig freed said:
Yo Johnny Mac a wise man named Harvey Earl once said "When in doubt chrome it out" Merry Christmas Ziggy

yes but least forget the lesson of of mr. davidson - chrome don't get ya home! :mrgreen:

Tintin · Dec 21, 2011

ludwig said:
O o , here we go again . delete that before Tintin reads it ..

As long as nobody thinks I'm jealous of a chrome tank .... :mrgreen:

Tim