rusted carb top options??

OK mine have no chrome on them and they rust soooo easily......what are my options here?? do I send them in for chroming or do I buy new ones?? Anyone have a good source?

 

Go for powder coating.

N

 

XJ4Ever (chacal) carries replacements that are actually better parts than the originals. (The originals always had visible "stretch marks" in them from the stamping process, the replacements don't.)

The originals were also only chrome on the outsides (#1 and #4) the inside two were just "natural" zinc plated like the linkage brackets, etc.

Or, as Nige suggested, go with powder coating. I have a powder coated (black) set as well; zero maintenance, always shiny.

 

great thanks, going back to Len again

 

Actually, the Maxims had all 4 chrome. A budget job would involve alot of sanding, a Naval Jelly acid etch, and RustOleum Hammered Metal finish rattle can, and new, stainless cap screws. About $10

 

I have a Maxim and only the 2 outside ones are chrome.

 

Hitachi carbs, all except Midnight Maxim and 1985-86 XJ700 air-cooled models: all 4 hats are polished chrome.

Hitachi carbs, all Midnight Maxim models: all 4 hats are polished golden chrome.

Hitachi carbs, all 1985-86 XJ700 air-cooled models: outer hats are polished chrome, inner hats (#2 and #3 carbs) are dull, zinc-plated finish.


Mikuni carbs, all XJ550 models: outer hats are polished chrome, inner hats (#2 and #3 carbs) are dull, zinc-plated finish.

Mikuni carbs, all XJ650 Turbo models: outer hats are polished chrome, inner hats (#2 and #3 cTarbs) are dull, zinc-plated finish (I believe this to be true; all center (inner) hats that we've ever seen on these have been dull).

Mikuni carbs, all XJ700-X and XJ750-X models: all 4 hats are polished chrome.

Mikuni carbs, all XJ900 models: all 4 hats are polished chrome.

Mikuni carbs, all XJ1100 models: all 4 hats are polished chrome.

 

Show-off.

Seriously, though; my only question would be "why?" Why some all chrome, and some 2 and 2? I can understand the Midnites.

 

Why not?

 

Of course I have no idea if they are stock or not but all 4 of mine are chrome...

skillet

 

Seca 750's have Hitachi carbs, so, per Len's post, that is correct.

Regarding the idea of spray painting them: most spray paints are not fuel resistant. You shouldn't be getting fuel on your carb hats normally, but it might be annoying to have your nice refinish work ruined by a bit of overspill when filling the tank, or a drip when disconnecting the fuel line.

 

I think the Seca 750 was 2 & 2 - at least mine is (1981)

 

Mine was not. It was all chrome.

 

Interesting .. my 750 Hitachis are all chrome with the stretch marks, my 900 Mikunis are two zinc inside and two chrome outside, I think a woman was in charge during the assembly ... given the total lack of logic going on here

 

Well, yes........some of the Hitachi HSC32's (650/750 models) seem to come with non-chromed inner caps ---- especially the XJ750 models --- but most seem to come with all four caps chrome. It's really hard to determine from the parts books (the covers aren't always listed as separate items) and from the many examples we've seen, the conclusions we have about "how were they originally equipped?" is summarized previously (although as TIME points out, some models may have differed).

The 900's, too, may have originally had non-chromed inner caps.

If other XJ750 and 900 owners could chime in, perhaps we could eventually figure this out and put one more nail in the "what was really original?" coffin...


BTW, the XJ700-X caps are the nicest of all, they are a wonder to behold, much thicker and show-quality chrome plating straight from the factory.

 

if they are gold looking metal i buffed some out on hitachi 40s they look just like chrome unless you have a bench buffer you will never get it off. I did a set no rust showed up after a year when i sold the bike. Here is a pic did 1/2 a few min ago to show how they look .Sorry about the quality camera takes awful pic under florescent lights

 

chacal my 83 XJ750 Maxim came with chrome outer caps and non-chromed inner caps.

 

My '82 XJ750J Maxim has the Hitachi carbs with chrome outer caps and non-chrome inner caps.

 

My 82 XJ650 has all chrome caps, and I'm pretty sure they were stock.

BTC

 

Just another option to think about.....Caswells now sells a "copy zinc" kit that works fairly well. All you need to buy though is the chemical if you can find yourself a very low output (1.5-1.8V DC) transformer (think phone or other type charger) and build the rest yourself. Too high voltage will cause "burning".

You can "replate" them for only a few bucks or so and still have your kit for various fasteners, spokes, etc.

jeff