Front fork question

[BikerWannabe]

Hi guys,
should I chrome-plate the front fork of my AWO Touren or should I paint it black?
Almost 100% of all Touren AWOs on the internet have a black front fork. I think the original fork on my AWO used to be chrome-plated, though.
Were there any original Touren AWOs that had black front forks?

[Uli]

Do it like Eric Burdon:

PAINT IT BLACK...

AFAIK only the "Western-Export-Type" had Chrom-plated Forks (and some other shiny stuff).

[BikerWannabe]

Interesting, thanks!
The one I am working on still has patches of chrome plating left on the front fork.
I will have to check the other one. Maybe it had a black fork originally.

I guess it will be easier for me to paint both forks in black than to chrome-plate them.

[awouwe]

For the East German´s black, and the other Countries (Export) chrome!
Uwe

[BikerWannabe]

Yeah, makes sense.
Are the forks on the German market AWOs different from the Export ones?
Or is it just their finish?

[awouwe]

It´s the same piece! The different is chrome or black paint!
Uwe

[BikerWannabe]

Cool, thanks!

What about the rims and the spokes?
I have seen chrome-plated rims, I have seen rims painted in silver and black, and I have seen entirely black rims!

Same thing for the spokes and the hubs - I saw photos of chromed spokes and photos of spokes that were painted in black.

Would it be historically correct if I paint everything in black? (the rims, the hubs and the spokes).
It looks like the easiest way to go but is it OK from a purist's perspective?

[Uli]

Cool, thanks!

What about the rims and the spokes?...
....Would it be historically correct if I paint everything in black? (the rims, the hubs and the spokes).
It looks like the easiest way to go but is it OK from a purist's perspective?

It would be absolutely correct. Originally it was all painted in black.

Maybe someone have pictures of an good unrestored Touren?
*Hat jemand Bilder von einer gut erhaltenen, unrestaurierten Touren für ihn?*

[Deleted User 71]

Cool, thanks!

What about the rims and the spokes?...
....Would it be historically correct if I paint everything in black? (the rims, the hubs and the spokes).
It looks like the easiest way to go but is it OK from a purist's perspective?

It would be absolutely correct. Originally it was all painted in black.

Maybe someone have pictures of an good unrestored Touren?
*Hat jemand Bilder von einer gut erhaltenen, unrestaurierten Touren für ihn?*

Hallo,

definitiv unrestored T
(I should know it)

090228_05.jpg

best regards
zuagrasta

[BikerWannabe]

AWESOME, thanks!
It will be really easy for me to paint everything in black.
Much easier than to try to chrome-plate the rims and the spokes.
I will paint everything in black and then I will have a historically correct DDR-market Touren.