Kind of a semi-random question, but can anyone think of a car or motorcycle that used chrome or nickel plated valve springs, that might be a readily available source for them cheap/free/used?
Or any other source for dirt-cheap chrome or nickel valve springs?
I dont know a source, but I wonder why?
I would think they would be expensive to produce as it would need to be an electrolytic free process. Electroplating something like that would cause microscopic cracks and fissures that would leat to fatigue cracks and subsequent breakage.
You thinking chrome as in shiny chromed? If that's the case, I don't think you will find such a creature.
If they don't HAVE to be valve spring spec, check with some of the chopper or custom bike suppliers like Drag Specialties. 'Springer' forks use chromed springs and some of them get down around valve spring size.
Bigsby whammy bars originally used Indian motorcycle valve springs, 'cause that's what Paul Bigsby had laying around. I believe various other valve springs work (SBC and VW have been mentioned in particular).
Anways, I know people wanting to experiment with different spring rates, and figured going back to the source would make sense. And it does, 'cept they won't be pretty.
For use on a whammy bar I don't think you need to worry about chrome plating hydrogen embrittlement.
If a SBC spring fits, there's a million rates available. Maybe even try a beehive style. Find one that works well then send it out to be plated.
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