I am a real fan of chromed forks and stays. I once looked into re-chroming of a fork. The 2 shops I spoke with while very experienced with auto and motorcycles parts, were very reluctant to work of thin gauge tubing since if there was lifted chrome due to erosion or pitting, that they would not be able to remove all the oxidation or pitting and the new plating might have a rough appearance. Additionally, they also recommend (for cars and motorcycles that are used), that unless a part is absolutely not replaceable, a new replica part is probably a more cost effective bet.

A frame builder told me back in the 1980s that chroming lost favor due to environmental concerns and also that cheaply chromed frames could develop oxidation from improper post-chroming processes and could result in corrosion at brazed areas.

I also know that both chroming and nickle plating can be adversely affected by what would appear to be protective or cleaning treatment chemicals that will leach into pinholes in the plating and actually begin to compromise the bonding of the chrome and underlaying treatments of metal, causing flaking.

Bronze wool is one of the best ways to keep chrome plating on items looking new as it does not scratch the harder chrome. Just make sure the chrome gets a good coat of pure wax after use. I have used bronze wool for many purposes, especially deep sea and surf fishing fishing reel parts. I have reels pushing 60 years old that still work and look like new, even though the guts are all replacements.