Caswell plating kits- anyone use them?

sandman · Last edited by sandman on Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:49 pm; edited 1 time in total

I'm looking for feedback on home plating kits, and Caswell seems to be the only game in town. Specifically, I'm going to be replating the fasteners on my vintage 70's Yamaha two strokes, and am looking for as close to original finish as I can get doing it myself. I believe they were originally cadmium plated, which is a "no-no" now, the home kits are zinc plating that looks the same. These home kits aren't cheap, but should be worth it since I'm doing two restorations and don't want to send stuff out. With the smaller electronic power supply and the smallest kit from Caswell, we're looking at $350. I've tried the Eastwood kit and had good results, but want to step it up and do more parts with better quality.

Anyone currently (pun intended) using their system, or have any alternatives?

Steve Searles · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:06 am Post subject: Zinc Plating Kits

Hello and welcome to vintage restoration 101 forum. I have many, many bikes and currently have a 632 original mile 1974 RD350. Had the R-5's, etc. Good project. Caswell zinc plating kits are very good. You are in the same boat I am in. Should I spend $350 on a kit for a few pieces??? Zinc Anodes, small current supply, etc. but my buddy has the kit and likes it. It does a nice job. You are right, it is the only game in town. Oh thta;s right, I had an RD400 a couple years ago, also.

sandman · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

Thank you for the welcome, Steve. And from a fellow Yamaha two stroke owner, no less! I'd love to see your ultra low mile '74 RD350- I've always loved that purple paint scheme with the two parallel lines graphics. I own a 100% stock Portuguese orange 1975 RD350B with 3,200 original miles- they're classics!

That said, I appreciate your feedback on the Caswell plating kits. I figured more than a few would be using them here and I don't believe I've ever heard anything negative about them. Apparantly there's just a slight learning curve, and I have used Eastwood's kit successfully before. Since I have tons of fasteners to re-do, I'm going to go ahead and buy their whole system. It'll pretty much be worth it for the two bikes I'm doing now, and oh yeah- I have a 1972 Yamaha DS7 250 next in line to restore! I'll post up feedback and recommendations when I'm ready to contribute.

MrRH67 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:48 am Post subject:

Once you learn how to use them they are great, they have more than paid for themselves, and if you need something plated you can do it NOW it only takes about 30min to cad plate.