Saving Old Seagulls

On one of my seagulls (a 40Plus with Bing Carb given to me recently), the chrome drive shaft tube is rusty beyond redemption. So is it possible to get these tubes re-chromed, or will the cheaper option of sanding and painting with hammerite work (ie will paint adhere to roughed chrome)?

Yes you can get them rechromed.

I have had success in the past with a local plating firm - who in fact did the plating on the originals for quite a few years. They manage a very creditable job on components that have been pitted to quite a depth, and they are aware of the importance of not taking any metal off the bottom couple of inches.

I have only given motors with replated tubes a light use - so I can't speak for the longevity of the finish; I am however assured it'll last.

PM me if you're interested - and let me know where you live..

Paint is at best unsatisfactory. I've seen painted tubes that look quite good - either silver or black - but it doesn't last.

Or of course you could get a black powder coated tube - new from British Seagull.