What did you do to your motorcyle today?

[hardrockminer]

Copper has may some small part in it but it's not the major reason I don't think.  End of 2005 copper was about $2.15/lb and on its way to about double that much.  Today it's recovering from a low early last year of about $1.95 but it's still only $2.75 as of Friday.  Hydro is probably up more percentage wise than copper and the process consumes a fair bit of electricity.  But I still think environmental costs are driving things, although I don't have any data on that.

Today was the day to put the new wheels on Sweetum's bike.  I should know better than to help her but she really did ask for help and I thought it would be a good teaching moment.  I guess I'm not much of a teacher.....more of a doer, but I don't seem to do anything the same way she does.  Three hours later the wheels were on.  The only thing left to do is for Sweetums to pick up the tank and covers from the paint shop and install them.

[754]

I believe copper used in plating is in solution, ie liquid form, with a percentage of dissolved copper. When most of the copper get used out of the solution, a nasty pricey disposal problem is next step.
My exposure to metals is mainly aluminum,and of course prices rise and fall. And of course the processed price is different than pure metal price. And they dont follow hand in hand. Add to the fact that the metal sellers usually sell based on their buy in price.
 Now the wise dealer would buy up stocks at a time when prices are lower,if they have the capital and the storage. Then the wise thing to do is adjust price to current market as it increases, making a better profit...
 So a lit f times that is how it works, but not written in stone.
 That may help understand the situation.

[Twisted_Twin]

Strange.

In one post, you're lamenting the loss of small, skilled shops.

In the next, you think those shops charge too much money.

I'm all for saving a buck but I've never had good results using the lowest bidder.

[hardrockminer]

I believe copper used in plating is in solution, ie liquid form, with a percentage of dissolved copper. When most of the copper get used out of the solution, a nasty pricey disposal problem is next step.
My exposure to metals is mainly aluminum,and of course prices rise and fall. And of course the processed price is different than pure metal price. And they dont follow hand in hand. Add to the fact that the metal sellers usually sell based on their buy in price.
 Now the wise dealer would buy up stocks at a time when prices are lower,if they have the capital and the storage. Then the wise thing to do is adjust price to current market as it increases, making a better profit...
 So a lit f times that is how it works, but not written in stone.
 That may help understand the situation.

Yep, copper is soluble in water.  The solubility increases as the water pH decreases, or in other words when the water becomes more acidic.  This is why electroplating is done in an acid bath.  Put a chunk of copper in the vat and it will slowly dissolve.  And if you stick a rod into the bath and run some DC current through it you will see the copper come out of solution onto the rod.  That's why they call it electroplating.  You can continue to add more copper plates to the acid bath as long as the solution doesn't become contaminated.  That's why electroplaters are so wary of rechroming exhaust pipes....because of the potential for carbon contamination.

As for copper markets....I've spent an entire career in the business and I know it very well.  Big manufacturers that use copper will have just in time supply systems to minimize their inventory.  No one wants a bundle of money tied up in inventory.  What they will do to protect their price is to buy and sell puts and calls on future copper deliveries to take the risk out of big price increases.  Copper producers often do the same thing to take the risk out of future price drops.  Small guys use the cash from one deal to finance the next so they don't have a lot of dough to tie up in a bunch of copper in the back shed where it might get stolen.

Processed price starts from the metal price and then adds on cost of production plus margin for whatever is being processed.  In the case of electroplating there is no processing required for the copper they use  They don't buy liquid copper as it doesn't exist...at least at room temperature.  What they buy is copper plates that they can use as cathodes in their tanks.  These are the same cathodes produced in a copper refinery, although they may be sliced into smaller plates.  Interestingly, refinery copper is made using the same electroplating process that the chromers use but they start with a smelted copper billet (with impurities) and turn it into virtually 100% copper plate.

Shawn, I'm with you on the lowest price thing.  Quality comes first with me with pretty much everything.  You were the one who turned me onto Superior and I'm glad you did.  They do quality work.

[754]

I priced 1 1/4 inch copper round bar, a while back .......  for like a  foot or foot and a half.
 90 .00 per foot..and its under 5 lbs per foot.
 And I thought brass was pricey..

[754]

Strange.

In one post, you're lamenting the loss of small, skilled shops.

In the next, you think those shops charge too much money.

I'm all for saving a buck but I've never had good results using the lowest bidder.

Not sure if that was directed at me ?  ?
I never said they were overcharging, I simply said the reason they are giving you is exaggerated..

[Billy D]

How about a tutorial?

I spent a few hours on each one . Sanding with 400 , 600, 800 , 2000 grit sand paper then hit the buffer wheel . I seen some brand new chrome struts on the internet for under $20.00 each ...it doesn't make sense spending that much time but  I would rather have original . I am getting a little quicker . 

[hardrockminer]

I used 230, 600, 1200 and 2000 before buffing.  The first two were by necessity as I couldn't find any 400 or 800 here in Squish.

So far I've done all my side covers and my lower forks, but I don't like the shiny forks so will likely scuff them up to look more like originals.

[754]

Scotchbrite wheels if you can find them will do it quickly.

Look like factory brushed finish..
.

[hardrockminer]

Scotchbrite wheels if you can find them will do it quickly.

Look like factory brushed finish..
.

Thanks!

[Billy D]

Scotchbrite wheels if you can find them will do it quickly.

Look like factory brushed finish..
.

I like the sound of that !

[Mark1]

Put on the 1150 oil cooler this weekend. Cleaner look.

[Glenn]

Put on the 1150 oil cooler this weekend. Cleaner look.

Looking good Mark.

[Twisted_Twin]

Insured the LeMans under it's vintage plate and put insurance on my Stelvio.

Hopefully some wishful thinking will bring the nice weather!

[Kiwi_Roy]

What's a Vintage plate cost relative to a collector plate Shawn?
Do you have to go through the same approval process?