If only I had my time again!!!!!.
After getting the original tank chromed (A$320), I put it on the shelf for a planned 3 weeks - got busy with work and turned out to be 3 years. When I got it down, it was like a seive, after A$40 to get it stripped to see what the bubbles were.
Over the next two years I got two "Very Good and Chromable" tanks (according to the sellers) sight unseen over the phone (back in 1987-88). Each about A$270. Both were dogs - paintable, but not chromable - one from Melbourne, one from Qld.
I then got an Indian tank unchromed (A$380 in about 1999), had it chromed (A$360 in 2012), then the black and gold lining done (A$360 in 2015 for 2-pack high gloss - the paint was A$300 per litre). Then realised I had not checked the threads for the tank pads and badges - lucky it was OK. Just lucky it is a well-made tank, as I have heard of some roughies.
All up - about including the loss of the original tank - about A$2700 plus all the incidental costs.
Good job I was not doing it for the profit.!! It can be heart-breaking.
Was it worth it?? -- YEAH.!!!
Next time, I would borrow the tank, get it checked that it is chromable (wire-wheel off all the paint to check for bog, dents etc), all the threads etc. Otherwise get an Indian tank unchromed and go from there. Better still, look after the one I had in the first place.
Col