Plating / finish on nuts and bolts ?

[Stephen Foster]

Wonder if Anyone can let Me know the finish on the various nuts / bolts holding mudguards , stays , wheels , etc .
Which would be cadmium & which chrome ?

Also trying to trace the small oval badge which would have lived on the rear of the dualseat on a 1956 Swinging Arm Golden Flash ?

Regards in advance ,

Steve...

[t20racerman]

Cadmium plating is illegal now I think... very toxic!
Zinc plating is cheap, looks good and does the job. However, Stainless steel is better. Most fasteners are available in stainless now and it looks lovely and lasts too. OK, if you are a real originality freak it might not be what you want, but it does work well. Zinc is best for originality. Try and find a company that does 'Barrel Zinc Plating' if you take that route - you can chuck every fastner, chain adjuster, gbox adjuster, spacers etc all in the same tub and get them plated for about £25!

[pato08]

I have been advised of a place on the NSW (Australian) coast that still does Cadmium plating, I'll post detail for Aussies when i have checked them out.

[BSA_54A10]

I think that you will find that the "Cad" is really a ZnAl formulation much like zincalume which yields a whiter finish than straight zinc and a little dull like cad

[Goldy]

I have obtained cadmium plated bolts from uk bike show stalls and although the cadmium plating seem to be ok the quality of the bolts was very poor. The thread of one stripped whist tightening. I assume they are imported from a country where the manufacture is not a health and safety issue.