Restoring original pipes

I want to keep the original exhaust on my KZ1000 J, the down pipes have some rust on them, has anyone restored theirs by sending them off for finish and chrome? I just want to see how costly that is??? Its just the down pipes the rest of the pipes are mint

I would also like to re-chrome the original pipes off my 74 Z1. My pipes have some pitting. What can the platers do with the pits so they don't show up in the chrome?

I know there are companies who specialize in restoring chrome parts for cars, they will fill the pitted areas before chroming....this is not cheap though.....many years ago I spent $300 to have a hood ornament(1954 Pontiac Chieftain) repaired and chromed and that was only a small piece.

Here is a pic of the original down tubes.....I am in the market for another set.....

Those are worse than mine. I think you would be better off finding some different ones.

I found a site that sells OEM down tubes, they are approx $150 each though.

I just got a ballpark price to rechrome my H2 pipes.About $300 each.You can get reproduction Z1 or early H2 pipes from Sudco for about $1500. per set list price.Unless your original pipes are good solid cores it's a tossup which way to go.And yes,they can fix most anything if you find a willing shop and have the cash.They fill pits with nickel I think before rechrome,but you've gotta watch which shop you pick.I've read a lot of horror stories about chrome shops.

I have a spray welder that I am going to try on my pipes. It sprays Zinc and when you grind it down smooth it shines like polished aluminum. I also have fixed pot metal pits with it including hood ornaments and I dont charge as much as the other guys doo.

After coating

Since these pipes are for a J motor I am hoping that I can get some from a Police bike.....my mufflers are fine its just the tubes.

Snakebyte that is amazing! What did you put behind the holes for the spray to sit on? How strong is it?

Pipes can be re-chromed (mine were). There's two kinds of chorme - Decorative and Hard. For pipes, it's Decorative Chrome.
You'll just have to find a plating shop in your area that will do the job. Many places won't want to mess with exhaust pipes because they're dirty inside. But if you clean them well, it should be OK.