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| Randy Cobb | Finally got my hitch back from the chomer yesterday. Sent out on 8/21/02. A long time out, but the job is excellent. Classic Chome out of St. Petersburg did the job for $250.00. They came highly recommended to me by the classic restoration guys I know. They warned me that Classic Chrome is very good, but because of that, they are backlogged. I'll show pixs once it is installed. Question for those who have chromed your hitch.
Should I get stainless bolts, washers and nuts for the hitch install or should I use those that came with the hitch and put nut caps on the bolt heads and nuts? I'm afraid the parts may corrode, tarnish or rust the chrome. Any advice, as always, is appreciated. ------------------
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| KatAddict | Chrome hitch on a Yellow Kat does look good. Can't say where but I had mine done cost me $ 60.00 |
| Kraut | Chrome doesn't rust. It can however crack when the bolts are tightened, which will cause the bare metal underneath to rust. To help prevent this from occurring, place brass, copper, or aluminum washers under the bolts or nuts. Tighten securely but don't over torque, and use some loctite. I do this on all the chrome on my motorcycles and have had good success so far. In low torque applications, such as fender mounts, you can also use seal washers. These are steel washers with rubber washers bonded to them on one side. ------------------
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| KenG | Randy...I just had mine chromed also but have not put it back on yet. I got it done locally for 150.00. I was going to use the original bolts. Let us know what you decide to use and how it goes. I really don't think any of them are visible. |
| WildCat | they have plastic washers to use between painted surfaces, if you cannot find the ones with rubber try the Hardware store for some plastic ones. I plan on using the plastic ones on all the painted surfaces on my Dart |
| Randy Cobb | Kraut and KenG - I'm not concerned with the chrome rusting (I misspoke in my intial post). I'm concerned if the painted bolts, washers and nuts would tarnish the chromed hitch or if they were to rush would the rust from them bleed onto the chrome? I was thinking the small cost of the stainless bolts, etc. may be good insurance. I know I seem a little anal about this, but like most Prowler owners I'm anal about my Kat. KenG - You sure beat my price! I checked with the local classic car guys and they told me there was no one locally who did quality work. I don't think they were BSing me. I'm sure you have better quality chomers in your neck of the woods. I probably am quilty of overkill by sending it to St. Pete, but I plan on keeping my Kat for MANY years and I want it right. Kraut - Thanks for the tip on tightening. A common sense thing that I hadn't thought of. What good would it do to get stainless washers then tighten them too tight and created the very problem you were trying to avoid?! DUH on me. ------------------
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| Kraut | Randy, you definately want to use stainless or even chrome plated fasteners to prevent any rust on the assembly. I've spent a lot of time and effort to keep things shiny on my latest project bike. This thing is all chrome, except for the fenders and tank. The extra money for stainless or chrome makes it a finished product.
http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/image_uploads/65trump.jpg
http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/image_uploads/65bonnie.jpg
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| prowlerbabe | Randy, I got my hitch chromed in the St Petersburg area also. In the future if you want anything else chromed call Alert Bumper @ 727-531-3577. They chromed mine for $100.00 (would have been $75.00 had I not had them do the back side also). Just for your info, all the "dipping" is done at Classic Chrome - the polishing is where the cheaper price comes in from Alert Bumper. They did an excellent job on mine & I used all the original nuts & bolts to attach it - but then again, my kat doesn't get in the water much.
P.S. The man to talk to at Alert Bumper is Don, he's been doing this for over 30 years. |
| Randy Cobb | Kraut - Thanks for the tip and great looking bike! Kendra - Thanks for the number on Alert Bumper. I'll use them for further chroming and pass their # to others who wanted to see my work before sending their stuff off for chroming. ------------------
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