Buy a zinc plating kit or use commercial plater?

[Davey Crocket]

If you've got everything cleaned up and ready ring BHSS.....TBS tomorrow early and they will probably do it while you wait. There at Capalaba...ph 36206555

[PEZBerq]

I recommend CP Plating at Eagle Farm in Brisbane. They did a complete bikes worth of stuff for me including all spokes and nipples for my 500 Husky auto and they came up really great. Only had to replace 1 spoke due to excess zinc build up on the threads.  Make sure you clean each spoke well first however - I used steel wool.  Cost me $80 for the complete bikes worth of stuff. I would steer clear of Pine Rivers at Lawnton.

[wmc83]

Thanks Davey I'll give them a go when work starts up ta.

[Mike52]

I bought one of those JANE kits.
Lotta fun.
Interesting too.

[vmxrider]

Here's some photos of an old husky wheel I rebuilt using the electroless nickel plate kit. 

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j413/vmxrider/Husky%20wheel/P1010081.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j413/vmxrider/Husky%20wheel/P1010082.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j413/vmxrider/Husky%20wheel/P1010085.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j413/vmxrider/Husky%20wheel/P1010088.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j413/vmxrider/Husky%20wheel/P1010089.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j413/vmxrider/Husky%20wheel/104_3880.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j413/vmxrider/Husky%20wheel/104_3881.jpg

[huskibul]

    Hey vmxrider wheel looks great ! i havent have much to do with pulling down or building wheels is it easy enough to learn or is it a pain in the arse job best left to the pro's, i have a few bike's that need finishing off in that area but the cost to get someone to do it is outta my ballpark ! any help apreciated -cheers

[vmxrider]

Its not all that hard, just requires a methodical approach and some time and patience. Some photos, measurements and marking of the hub and rim before you start can save a lot of frustration and anguish when putting it all back together.
There are a few articles on the net on how to do it. For truing up I just mount the wheel back into the swing arm and use a dial indicator or pointer, usually getting the offset and axial runout first the the radial runout.
A good spoke spanner helps and they are on ebay as a kit to cover most nipple sizes.
With old wheels rusted on nipples is the biggest problem. A little bit of heat helps as well as WD40 etc. Broke a few spokes on the Husky wheel and had to get some made.
If your a serious racer I'd say leave it to the pros, but for a bike thats not going cop a lot of use/abuse and you've got some time its a cheaper alternative for sure.