Well it arrived unplated (along with the braces and centre piece which I did not ask for ! ). It has flash rusted quite badly underneath but I am really pleased with the finish on the top and the rolled edge. He originally drilled it and I had asked for it to be supplied undrilled but it has been welded up so you can't see where the holes have been. To be honest the top finish is so good that I wish I had got him to chrome it but I chickened out at the last minute! I think I need to smooth over the sharp cut ends though. Any advice on this? All in all I am really pleased that, at last, I am going to have the correct double-cut fender on my bike. I reckon this guy could supply us with some serious stuff if we can advise him on how we want things and how much we are prepared to pay, provided it does not jeopardise his business with his Japanese customer. For instance he charged me 30USD to give it his personal attention to finish and considering the cost of ratty Ebay used ones, the extra was nothing. I will treat the rust with DeOx-C and take it to the chromers for a quote.
http://www.bilthamber.com/deoxc.htmlWill keep you posted!
BTW Just mastered the art of yellow passivate zinc plating and my regulator and start solenoid etc. are looking good! I found a place in Lincolnshire and there are really really helpful (they sound like a husband and wife team). They supplied me with 1/2 normal quantities of chemicals, which they normally sell BZP, Nickel, Copy Chrome (nickel cobalt), Zincate coating for alloy, blue and yellow passivate for zinc and industrial black dye for anodizing. Tons cheaper than Caswell or Eastwood
Cheers
Ash