Chrome Plated 853 Frame?

[steelydan]

Hi all,

Apologies in advance if this isn't quite 'retro' enough...

I recently acquired for the bargain price of £90 a 1999 Ironhorse Victory 853 Frame (I didn't even know Ironhorse did road bikes?!?) The reason for the price was that the seatpost is stuck into the frame with a stubbornness that I have never seen before! Being the tightwad I am, I have passed the frame over to a relative who is painstakingly cutting out the post for me.

My question is regarding the frame itself, as you can see in the picture below (from bikepedia) the stock frame was a very 90s 'New York Taxi' Yellow with black and white checkered details. I picked the frame up and it is well worn and due a respray. The frame also has a chrome rear triangle. There are a few spots where the paint has chipped and underneath appears to be chrome!! I have tried to take photos that do it justice but it never does, you can see a slight chip on the seatpost pic below.

I am not yet convinced but could it be chrome plated underneath this awful paintjob?

Cheers in advance
steelydan

 

[cce]

if it is chromed all over I'd get a translucent colour put over the top

that'd look HAWT

 

[Stempie]

Chances are it has be chromed all the way. The chrome may not be polished on all of the frame though.