Plating Sprockets??

I received an offset sprocket for my KZ1000 that is plain steel, not plated at all. Not black oxide, not cadmium, just plain, ready-to-rust steel.

I am sending some nuts and bolts to have them zinc plated, so I was wondering if the sprocket could be zinc plated? Would it hold up?

The sprocket will show since I have an aftermarket cover and the zinc would look nice.

Opinions please?

Thanks

Why not?

If you don't mind the cost, it'll definitely inprove the looks on the critter over the long haul - though sprockets tend to collect a film on gunk anyways - but at least your gunk will be shiny - which is nice! :lol:

Naturally, the plating will be worn off up around the pin/plate contact area in fairly short order, but that's to be expected.

Otherwise, have at it...

i had the rear sprocket on my z1 chrome plated,held up fine;)

wireman wrote:

i had the rear sprocket on my z1 chrome plated,held up fine;)

Yep, chrome would work fine, chrome is a very wear resistant metal, just look at the shafts on hydraulic cylinders.

Zinc on the other hand, is no where near as tough as chrome.

A word on chrome,yes its a very hard surface, its super for lineing gun barrels,but as a lifelong hotrodder(cars)I have found brackets, housings, exhaust ect are prone to cracking, it is a condition called hydrogen embrittlement, because of the process involved in plating, it changes the stucture of the metal turning it into a different material altering its wear and stress factors, forged, high carbon and hardened steel are not effected as much as mild steel or low carbon, the thinner the steel more its effected,take for example the teeth on the sprocket, wearas the chrome on the surface is very tough the metal under it in the gear area has been embrittlized making it more effected by stress,myself I would paint the sprocket instead of plating. Or polish the steel

put it in oven after its plated and heat it up then let it cool down,problem solved;)