I was lucky to have a chrome guy who worked in his shop at home and did a great job and have a 5 to 7 day turnaround time he had been doing this for over 30 yrs when I had him do my mustang parts for my show car I told him I wanted the chrome to look like it did in the late 60’s and that’s how he did it. He has retired from chrome work several years ago I can call him if you want me to to see what the process was. He also did my RD 350 exhaust etc. It may be hard chrome or flash chrome I’ve heard of both most of the chrome we see is decorative chrome 

HT1kid,

You definitely were lucky to find and have a chrome guy like that.  It's to bad he doesn't do it anymore. I appreciate your willing to call him and see his technique but i don't want to try doing chrome work myself in my garage. I am sure i would screw it all up. Although the prices i am seeing and long turn around times tells me the chrome business is doing good these days. I have 4 e-mails out to 4 more chrome shops to see if i can find a better turn around time. One chrome shop estimated re chroming the headlight ring at $225.00. So i just bought a NOS ring for $80.00 instead. Heck with it! Only parts i need re done now are the handlebars and the 2 fork covers on the lower triple tree. 

+1 on what SKYDANCER46 said. I buy NOS chrome parts when they come up for sale. They are usually cheaper than having parts rechromed.

Holy Smokes $225 is stupid crazy I’ll call him to ask if knows of someone that can do it I’m sure I’ll need some chrome work sometime in the near future he did have a EPA certified shop he just got to old to do it I do know he sold his equipment honestly he probably would have charged me $25.00 for a strip and rechrome of the headlight ring

Finish up the 68 DT1 engine today. Not the prettiest engine i have ever built and it's sure not Yamaha's best looking Enduro engine. I guess that's expected for the year 1968. They really did improved just about every year on these engines. I left some minor dings and scratches in the engine covers, no polish work. Just a clean and stock look. It's a rider not a show bike so it should look the part. Found some inexpensive fiber washers for the plastic line on the oil pump. That line scares me to death! Didn't want to overtighten the screws in fear of it cracking or breaking apart. LoL! If i was going to keep this bike i would upgrade to steel banjo fittings with rubber line like the later bikes. 

Hey 1971DT250, I think i am finally going to retire the beautiful RT3 360 engine that is now yours to this old antique DT1 250 engine as my avatar picture. Time for a change.  Update: can't do it at the moment until they get the picture hosting fixed on this site.  

Hello Skydancer46, shyted here.
What colour paint did you use on the side cases on the engine in the picture ( the 68 ) please?
Was it aerosol?
regards Dave.

Hi shyted,  

I used the good ol Dupli-color DE1615 engine enamel on it. I guess some people also use Marbles Motors High temp silver.  Both are aerosol spray. Looks good enough for me. However on the silver fenders, chain guard, headlight ears, rear tail light and lower fork tubes i am using a spray gun. base coat, clear coat. 

 

Last 2 post on the 68 DT1 until April or when done. Won't keep boring you guys with progress.  Finished up the gauges today. they were in sad shape. rusted, dented, trip meter busted off, bent shafts, missing rubber rings, numbers faded, paint cracked and discolored. Came out pretty nice. Tested with a drill up to 50 mph for 1.5 miles and 9000 rpm on tach after pictures taken. Smooth as silk, numbers rotating. Rubber rings not NOS but will work fine. 







More pictures of finished gauges, next post. 

 

More finished meter pictures. 

Also wrapped up the muffler today. cleaned up good. Has all the rare pieces to it including the correct turn in tail piece ( original) and rubber cover (NOS).  Rear mount was broke in half. welded it back together. Ready to bolt up.