Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,810
Likes: 597
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
You could probably take them to a powder coater and have them coated black or "chrome" and it won't look too bad. I like the fake chrome they do.
I assume these are EA1 rims, ie 26 x 1¼", ie 597mm? If you aren't "restoring" the bike to be a museum piece then Sun CR18 rims in EA3 size, ie 26 x 1 3/8, ie 590mm, are a good alternative. They are available in the classic British 32h / 40h drilling, so you can keep your original hubs; the size is close enough that the brakes will reach; and you have far more and better tire options.