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The frame is out for paint and Im dealing with the tank emblems now. Two will be painted for the 46 and two will be re-chromed for the 41 after I straighten them out. I haven't tried to fix something this small and detailed before but the prices I'm seeing for oem is inspiring me and I like the challenge.
I bought a repop emblem and from 15 feet away, maybe 20 it might pass for correct but they're really wrong up close.
Im not sure if its, the die is wrong, a lack of stamp pressure or the alloy doesn't agree with the what the die is asking of it but they didn't get the letting crisp. Looking at the back its very obvious (and the lack of the G in a circle). The repop is softer looking which also applies to the black arrows or whatever they're called. The other major issue is the lack of squared ends that connect to the saturn rings.
I saw some on ebay listed by a popular seller promoting them as oem but there's no circle G on the back and the lettering is rounded, wants $499 for one side and its really a $50 emblem.
It is amazing how bad the repops are for this item, they get all the money for OEM. It seems like it would be in someone's interest to make a really good copy, people would buy them for $200 a pair if they looked correct. Sucks you have to make them shiny, those are some nice original pieces. When I bought mine I got lucky, someone had painted the letters black and it kept a lot of people away from the auction. Pretty sure I paid less than $300 for a pair. Then with some mineral spirits, q-tips and patience, all the black came right off revealing the red paint underneath.
The frame is out for paint and Im dealing with the tank emblems now. Two will be painted for the 46 and two will be re-chromed for the 41 after I straighten them out. I haven't tried to fix something this small and detailed before but the prices I'm seeing for oem is inspiring me and I like the challenge.
I bought a repop emblem and from 15 feet away, maybe 20 it might pass for correct but they're really wrong up close.
Im not sure if its, the die is wrong, a lack of stamp pressure or the alloy doesn't agree with the what the die is asking of it but they didn't get the letting crisp. Looking at the back its very obvious (and the lack of the G in a circle). The repop is softer looking which also applies to the black arrows or whatever they're called. The other major issue is the lack of squared ends that connect to the saturn rings.
I saw some on ebay listed by a popular seller promoting them as oem but there's no circle G on the back and the lettering is rounded, wants $499 for one side and its really a $50 emblem.
Looking good Paul, I re-chromed everything I couldnt locate NOS, which turned out to be the rear struts, shock covers, shift lever/ gate, spot brackets and ignition cover. I located a clean original set of the 61 tank badges, and had my buddy who does pinstriping paint the birch white as well as the black. Looking back I wish I had just re-plated the originals, but I had concerns about the pot metal. How are the chrome shops up north?
Looking good Paul, I re-chromed everything I couldn’t locate NOS, which turned out to be the rear struts, shock covers, shift lever/ gate, spot brackets and ignition cover. I located a clean original set of the 61 tank badges, and had my buddy who does pinstriping paint the birch white as well as the black. Looking back I wish I had just re-plated the originals, but I had concerns about the pot metal. How are the chrome shops up north?
We have one chrome shop about an hour from me and the next one is 2hrs away. Not many choices with all the government restrictions now. Both shops are really good though and one of the employees lives near me so we meet and I hand him the goods to take to work then meet him again when they're ready. No worry of things getting lost.
The tank badges are painted in 46 so Im going black with white spears, red lettering and the bike will be black with hardly any chrome. Should look great.
Last edited by hellonewman; Jun 14, 2022 at 07:20 AM.
We have one chrome shop about an hour from me and the next one is 2hrs away. Not many choices with all the government restrictions now. Both shops are really good though and one of the employees lives near me so we meet and I hand him the goods to take to work then meet him again when they're ready. No worry of things getting lost.
The tank badges are painted in 46 so Im going black with white spears, red lettering and the bike will be black with hardly any chrome. Should look great.
Paul, Im sure you have a painter for that stuff, but if you need my guy, let me know, hes in Houston TX.
They are right in Newark, since 1969. They did a great job, only 3-4 week lead time as well. Managers name is Miquel
Thanks for the contact. I have been recommended to Space Coast Plating in Melbourne Florida. I trust the people that have recommended them, I will give them a shot. Not that I do not trust you, just I am not driving to Newark so in a box they are going either way. Already called them and set it up. Going to try this place and see how it goes. Last guy was in Connecticut, chrome didn't last three years, truly pitiful work. And none of them are cheap. Good luck to all of us.
Was at the Dixon CA AMCA swap meet yesterday. There was one vendor selling the tank badges. I picked them up and flipped them over to look for the scripted "G" on the back of them. Nothing, nada, zero there. Soon as I picked them up, seller came over and was touting them as "original-never-been mounted original chrome...yada. yada. yada" (they were definitely shiny and pretty). I simply smiled, thanked him for his time and set them back down.
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