Welding chrome plated motorcycle exhaust

[John_Duffy]

Hi,
I have two Honda chrome exhausts in poor condition and want to make one good one by cropping good sections from the worse one and welding them into the better one in way of the damaged areas. The idea would be to either get it re-chromed on completion or black powder-coated or similar.

Before I start, has anyone done this? Is it even doable? Any tips or tricks? Do I need to grind the chrome off way back from the weld?

I fully expect to end up throwing the lot in the skip but it would be good to succeed!

Cheers

John

 

[madkayaker]

Will have a stab at remove Chrome around weld site, reweld then chemical dip and blast to remove chrome before re plating


Never done the job though so will bow out if so done more experienced turns up

 

[Shox Dr]

I've welded chrome, used SIF Bronze No8, have a look in my album there's a couple of pictures there.

Shouldn't be a problem rechoming over the weld. (waits for slapped wrist off HR)

 

[chevy2]

I occaisionally do motorcycle exhausts for a mate that owns a bike shop,
what you need to aware of is that if theres rotted areas then generally most of its rotted, although as it rotted mostly on the inside then the outside often looks fine but thickness of good steel is only about half of what it should be,

yeah, grind away the chrome and be sure to cut all of the rot out or you'll be chasing the weld to keep filling gaps,
imo dont waste good money on expensive chrome on a exhaust thats now on borrowed time, simply paint it with vht paint.

 

[brightspark]

i dont think chrome platers would entertain re chroming a second hand silencer would u dip one in your chemicals full of soot and carbon. as said just repaint over the welds to chrome plate u need a mirror scratch free finish before u start

 

[stuvy]

I did a quick fox for a mates 125 exhaust just using my mig cleaned the area thoroughly and quick blob of weld then recoated the exhaust with black hi temp paint

Worked fine for 9 months he had it til he put a new system on

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

A while back I tig welded something chrome simply with stainless rod. My logic was, stainless contains chromium, so felt it was the best choice at the time. I cant remember for the life of me what the part was, but it wasnt structural. Looked ok.

 

[Davebike]

I welded a lot in the 35 years I been in the bike trade !
As said there is always more rust than you think!
I just power sand wire brush around where I going to weld and where the earth clamp is going to go if "rusty"
Older pipes can be very thin sub .5 mm ! and older front sections are often twin wall
I find the usual get it clean and start with what seem like too little current I mainly paint repairs with high temperature paint but I am doing repairs to bikes not restoration work

Dave

 

[John_Duffy]

Hi,
Thanks to all for the interesting replies! It has given me food for thought and I will post photos when I've have a go.
John