Mudguard and Chainguard Finish of 1977 Sport

[g2311]

Hi Forum members.

I'm renovating my '77 Sport which has lain idle at the back of the garage for 15 years.
I'd had it repainted and coated many years ago and now want to restore it to original.
I've had the mudguards and chainguard blasted and the guy tells me they have gone back to what looks like steel,
My recollection is that they were originally polished stainless.
Is this right? If so it sounds like the blasting has destroyed the finish.
Anyone know where I can get the bits replated?
Or does my memory fail me...

Graham Cameron

[George 350]

Hi Graham,

Your memory is perfectly ok - the 'guards should be polished stainless. Big question is whether they are recoverable by polishing, or whether it would be cheaper/easier to buy some new ones. Apart fron the bridge and stays, plating shouldn't be necessary, but a plater should be able to tell you if the finish you now have would polish out or not. If they think it will, drill out the rivets and get the bridges and stays chromed, and the blades polished. Reassemble using 5mm domed head stainless bolts instead of the rivets. 2 weeks ago, NLM had plenty of mudguards in stock from what I could see. No idea about chainguards though. How good/bad is the finish? You might start a new trend of 'satin look' mudguards!

Best wishes to your rebuild - I've just got mine back on the road after a 9 year break.

George.