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Gday, I have just a bought a 73 Sport and its original, the spokes look like they are painted silver ??????? is this correct. Thanks Gum

Yes

So whats is the go, plate then paint, or just prime and paint ??? Thanks Gum.

Gum , if your worried about rust coming back through,why not get them anodized and than get them pained no more rust ever

That sounds like the go, I suppose they can paint on it ok ????
Thanks Gum

Yep no worries at all , I had my rack done this way and that was 15yrs ago even if you get a chip on the paint you are still left with the anodized coating that will not chip and rust

The problem is, you can't anodize steel.

You can plate it though, there's some do it yourself electroplating kits that will work but it tales a lot of time. I considered that on one of my current projects but ended up simply spraying them again instead.

The other choice that many people take is to buy stainless spokes from Buchanan's. No, they don't look "correct" to someone who knows what an unrusted painted spoke looks like, but they work, and don't rust. Get the natural finish (not polished) versions and other than the diehards no one will know.


Here's what non-polished SS spokes look like freshly installed on my 750 GT

Would powdercoating be a possibility or would the coat be too thick?

The rack that I had done definitely had a gold coating over the steel and when you tried to scratch it , it would not leave a mark and after it was painted you would never know it was anodized or maybe it was called something else that they use on steel

Now the spokes are silver, which I will do as I want it correct. The nipples are plated I think, what colour should they be ????? Zinc or gold ????
Thanks Gum

Gum , you can still buy NOS nipples from Phil at R&R if you get stuck let me know I have a spare set

Thanks, I will buy a set on Monday, thanks for the offer. Gum.

Gum, I would go with stainless spokes and paint them as factory.

That may be the go ????. Thanks Gum

If you take stainless spokes and beadblast them before installing them, they will look about as close to paint as you can get. Use a medium grit glass bead, something about 100 to 140 microns and use about 90psi.

Phil