Re-Chroming the Fork Tubes

[CutterBill]

In another thread I mentioned that if your fork tubes are scratched or pitted, you can have them re-chromed.  Now... I don't think so...

As part of the major tear-down on the new bike, last weekend I pulled the forks apart (always a messy job.)  I noticed that at the bottom of the tubes seem to be some sort of plastic valve, swaged in place.  Since the chroming process involves submerging the parts in nasty chemicals, grinding, then baking at 250 degrees (to prevent hydrogen embrittlement) I'm pretty sure the plastic valve, or whatever it is, would never survive.

Unless someone here knows how to get the valve out...  Does anybody have an old, rusty, bent tube they could give me so I could cut it apart and look at that valve?
Bill

[Urban_Legend]

Hi Bill. I hope they come out, because I am getting my 89 fork tubes rechromed right now. Although I did not pull them apart ( bike shop job) and they did mention about getting a new valve for the fork ends (not the emulator). I am getting them to do it so I know (i trust them) it is done right. That and I am working away from home for a few months. Should be good the put on the bike when I finish this contract.

Mark

[CutterBill]

Interesting.  Let us know how it turns out...