Hydra-Glide tank finish

[exeric]

I was told that the shifter gate mounting inserts in a Hydra-Glide tank were originally cadmium plated and should be obvious for judging. I don't care about judging, but would like to know for sh!ts and giggles. If this is true, did H-D mask the inserts for painting and why did they mandate an additional operation in the production process?

shifter mounts.jpg

[Rubone]

That is nonsense Eric. They are welded in before the tank back is welded on. Welding them would destroy any plating. They were Parkerized along with the whole tank before painting. H-D phosphate coating.jpg H-D phosphate coating 2.jpg

[exeric]

I agree with you, Robbie. That didn't sound right to me, but there are judges that know a lot more than I do. From a manufacturing point of view, it would have been an expensive operation with no real gain. As you said, H-D Parkerized steel parts so what would be the point of cad plating? I like the historical part of this hobby and I appreciate you, and other knowledgeable historians for separating B.S. from reality.