chromed headstock

[Steve R]

I took the z1 top and bottom yoke to a chromers and had the top one polished and the bottom chromed. Despite my telling them not to chrome the steering stem and them supposedly specializing in old car and bike parts, when I went to pick them up yesterday they had managed to chrome the steering stem!
No probs they said we will remove it and deliver it to you tomorrow. When it arrived today, they had stripped it off but because they had polished it as well, my nice new taper bearings are now rattling around loose.
No probs they said, we will hard industrial chrome it to build it up to the bearing diameter. So Its back with them.

My question to any one with engineering experiance is will this work, is it safe?

[Jon]

Oh piss! What a bunch of cowboys! As far as I know it should be ok, but personally Id push for a new steering stem to be machined up and press fitted at their expense! Id rather trust the steel than the chrome plating which`ll wear, or worse chip and flake!

[Steve R]

Cowboys is right but its a big firm, I think it must have been someone new?
I dont think hard chrome like you get on fork legs which is what they are talking about will get damaged?
Anyone Know?

Thing is I want the Bike on the road asap now the good weather is here and I had set aside this weekend for the rebuild!!

[John hallard]

I would have thought hard chroming would be ok especially when in head stock greased up,my only concern is you said bearing was rattling round ,chrome on fork legs are less than paper thin ,so how much build up have they got to do ,also do they know the push/press fit tolerence required for bearing.

[Pigford]

As long as its a snug fit, covered in good grease, it shouldn't be a problem! If it wears a bit (will take another 30 years?) use a fluid like Loctite retainer 601 or 40 - slip fit! These make good any slight gaps by filling in the gap.

[Rich]

And then when they've chromed it you'll need it ground to the right size!!

[Ed Z1-R]

chrome plate no matter what is prone to flake n chip,the bearing is driven on/pressed on this could possibly fluff the chrome. Me i would get replacement stem,stuff the goo goo muck to take up the play. how much do you value your life?dont bodge a life/limb component. but hey thats me

[Steve R]

they have the bearings, so when i go to pick it up tomorrow i will just have to be sure they are a damm good fit!
How good is loctite bearing fit? I am allways a bit dubious about stuff in tubes fixing things!

It does seem to be two steps forward one step backwards at times doesnt it?

[Mark O C]

I'm with Ed, make 'em replace it.

[Steve R]

Well things just get better:- Went this afternoon having been told it was sorted, they had chromed it then tried to polish it down , the bearing was still loose, it was not round and viewed from the side there was a visible curve on the part wgere the top bearing sits.

The manager is telling me it is my fault as I did not tell them not to chrome the stem ( I did, and they advertise on there web site that they are used by many car and motorcycle restorers.)

I have picked the pieces up and made a 120 mile round trip to z power where Dave Marsden had a new but german spec headstock that he has let me have for ?65 What a TOP man. so its on with building the Bike up this weekend as the room in the house its in is getting a new door on next friday and I know that it wont go out through the new door as its narrower. So if its not on wheels by friday I am in trouble!! I feel a spate of all nighters coming on.
Must admit I feel happier about a new part than it being bodged, especially after all the money i have spent getting the frame braced etc.
Then on tuesday i will try and make the b******s pay for it!
Steve

[davy thomson]

To right steve, there is nothing more anoying than crap so called professionls,give them some gip.

[mikey]

Steve im a metal polisher by trade been in the
polishing and plating trade 27 years and anything
that obviously takes a bearing like a steering stem
a good plater would mask up if as they say they
specialize in car and motorcycle parts this wouldve
been blindingly obvious, and if they wanted to build up
the stem with hard chrome they would have to know its
original diameter and have it machined back to original
spec, hope this is of some help and you get this matter
resolved.
cheers mikey

[davejames]

Good luck with it Steve. I know we are always quick to sing the praises of our friends on here i.e. Ash, Z-Power, Z1 enterprises, Berne, SEP, Cradley etc..........but we should still name and shame the ones who give crap service so other members don't get burnt. Just a thought..........

[Ed Z1-R]

good luck steve with the build, i is happy and have piece of mind that you putting a pukka part back on hope bodge platers give you a refund.

[Steve R]

Thanks for the support guys, Ed you are right I have a lot more piece of mind putting a non bodged part on.
Dave you are right and I have no problem nameing them.

The guilty party are SILCHROME IN LEEDS quite a big firm with a website saying they do classic car and Bike parts as well as industrial chroming. So far there attitude stinks and it will be interesting to talk to the Director on Tuesday.
The lesson learned, and I should know by now allways go by personal reccomendation.
Off to finish polishing the engine now , then hopefully into the bare frame by tonight and build it up tomorrow!!