Technical & Reference Section > Tech and Restoration

To chrome or not to chrome, thats the question?

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steve Beech TA:



Now then as the title says.

I have a original chrome Tange Hot Heart and pre serial Hutch Pro Racer F&F. as i say they are both original chrome and look superb, not perfect but nice and shiny (they are 20 odd years old) Now for it to be a good contender for bike of the month etc, does a bike have to be rechromed to class it as a show pony good enough to be put up against some of the bike's that have had a re-chrome's.

I know that bike's cost allot to be re-chromed and that original chrome bike has not had the cash spent on it, but it probably cost more in the first place to buy.  but at the end of the day is a original chrome bike worth as much or i should say viewed with as much respect as a re-chrome, in the world of show bikes.

i am tempted to get them re-chromed as soon as i have the funds, but would i be doing the originality a injustice, but lose the chance of winning a title.

what is the opinion out there, i will stand aside for you views :daumenhoch:

bodamus:
Personally I say no to rechromes I prefer the original Chrome even if it's not perfect.

Theres nothing wrong with a good Survivor just as worthy a show winner as a £2000 bike in my opinion.

But their you bikes so the choice is up to you.

bodamus ;)

perry:
if 90% of your parts are nos then maybe that slight blemish will eat away at you

i like to see a bike used , all those scratches tell a story in its life  :)

have a look over on vintagebmx and seek out ted carl , i think his name is ? he can make something original look better than new  ;)

for instance



and those caps arnt plastic  ;)

steve Beech TA:
i see what your saying and WOW :4_17_5: those peds do look lush, but and i am playing devils advocate now, if a part is NOS and we re-chrome it are we losing the originality wich is seems most people are looking for, for instance date specific parts.

perry:
to me new old stock is an item that hasnt been used , something that could be classed as new but taking into account its age so finger prints wouldnt take away from its new status , if say it had been taken out of its box and sat on a shelf id still call it nos even if it had faded a bit in the sun as it still hadnt been used for its purpose

having it rechromed wouldnt mean its still "original " it would be an accurate restoration , wheter or not it "needs" a rechrome is up to you and no one else really , i cant see anyone in engand looking down on it either way  :) same as i cant see anyone caring that say a brake cable on a build wasnt made in the same month

there will always be people that prefer it either way .

its the personal acomplishment in whatever you do , those pedals there were far from the state ted has made them into , notice the caps , they are plaster he moulded himself , not "original " but he used the skills he has to make them something that looked better , no one is going to argue with him that the caps arnt real , its what he wanted himself

i think its the journey and not the destination  :)

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