Dear Sir,

There is a huge gap in your use of chrome and what us riders use it for: You use it like Christmas present wrapping paper; we use it to stop rust.

HD chrome is applied to wheel rims, spokes, racks, brackets and misc goodies on a new bike by you to make the bike sparkle in the showroom, with the seeming understanding that it will last just long enough to get the new bike home. After this it quickly begins to peel off and/or go rusty. By 3000 miles some parts need replacing or re-chroming simply because they are such a mess.

Us riders may also like the 'bling factor' of chrome, some more than others, however I and many others look on it as a functional item whose job it is to protect the bare metal underneath from corrosion.

You have to realise that some of us use our motorcycle in the rain and even over the winter where they get exposed to such things as road salt. I don't think HD has ever tested their bikes in these conditions; I assume their testing consists of a ride from the delivery truck to the showroom stand.

I see two ways forward:

1. Use a better chrome-plating process. Go find what other manufacturers use and copy that. Check out Kawasaki, they have some bling bikes, the chrome isn't perfect but its much better than HD's.

2. Make a lot more components out of stainless steel. In my opinion it looks better than chrome and certainly lasts a lot longer.

Cheers,

Fox

HD Chrome stands up very well if never exposed to weather. The folks that buy those super high dollar motorcycles never intend to ride them anyway. They are just for show as they get trailered to the local rally. Perhaps HD couldn't care less what Sportster riders think. Otherwise why do I have to change so many items to end up with a useable bike?
And thanks for the thread, I enjoy starting my day with a good bitch session.

I haven't had any problems with any HD part's chrome peeling off (Yet), and I have a lot of Chrome HD parts. Mind you I'm pretty particular about keeping the Harley bike clean.

Just like any other good finish........it's only as good as the one protecting it..........don't blame H-D they just sold you the product........:laugh :p

I just bought a new Sportster, my first Harley - have been riding since the 60s - and man you are right on. I just picked up an essentials kit costing over a grand which include the "side plates" or whatever they're called, a sissy bar and a luggage carrier. Very crappy plating especially on the side plates.

Dear Sir,

There is a huge gap in your use of chrome and what us riders use it for: You use it like Christmas present wrapping paper; we use it to stop rust.

HD chrome is applied to wheel rims, spokes, racks, brackets and misc goodies on a new bike by you to make the bike sparkle in the showroom, with the seeming understanding that it will last just long enough to get the new bike home. After this it quickly begins to peel off and/or go rusty. By 3000 miles some parts need replacing or re-chroming simply because they are such a mess.

Us riders may also like the 'bling factor' of chrome, some more than others, however I and many others look on it as a functional item whose job it is to protect the bare metal underneath from corrosion.

You have to realise that some of us use our motorcycle in the rain and even over the winter where they get exposed to such things as road salt. I don't think HD has ever tested their bikes in these conditions; I assume their testing consists of a ride from the delivery truck to the showroom stand.

I see two ways forward:

1. Use a better chrome-plating process. Go find what other manufacturers use and copy that. Check out Kawasaki, they have some bling bikes, the chrome isn't perfect but its much better than HD's.

2. Make a lot more components out of stainless steel. In my opinion it looks better than chrome and certainly lasts a lot longer.

Cheers,

Fox

fortunately, my Harley (I have 2) chrome is really good, never peeled off. But I think all wheels should come chromer or protected against rust in some other way.

Can't say the same of other brands of bikes I had.

From Daelim, the chrome still stands after +15 years of use (really good bike, for a 50cc)
But, for example Kymco you will see the chrome peel off and rust on the showroom floor (I'm not joking on this, I have seen rusted Kymco Venox on the show room floor).
Honda also makes pretty crappy chrome, it does not peel off, but is just not good quality/brighness, looks bad.
Yamaha also has crappy chrome, at least on bikes I have seen.

Dear Mr Fox.

While I do agree with you on the intended use for chrome on a Motorcycle, I must how ever disagree with your assertion that Harley has low quality on there chrome that come factory installed.

I live in the western part of the Pacific Northwest, our weather rivales that of Great Britten in rainfall. I ride my 17,000.00 dollar motorbike as much as I can, including in the rain.
I did this with the 2003 sportster, my 2006 FLHT and now with my 2007 FLHT. I have yet to have an Issue of rust or pealing.
But then again, I wash and polish my bike weekly.
Perhaps you need to improve your own maintenance of your own motorcycle.

You not riding fast enough to seal the Chrome Finish !!.......LOL

Salt on the road during the winter is the killer, if not removed immediately after the ride...

I must however disagree with your assertion that Harley has low quality on their chrome that comes factory installed.
I'm comparing like for like and I haven't had a bike since a 80s Suzuki that rots as quick as a HD.

As for all the advice about washing, cleaning etc - all appreciated but besides the point. You can keep bare mild steel nice if you polish it every day but chrome isn't supposed to rust (as several of the parts on my bike are) and it isn't supposed to peal off after less than three years.

If other manufacturers can put a good finish on metal then so should HD - its not like they are bargain-basement-priced bikes.

I'm comparing like for like and I haven't had a bike since a 80s Suzuki that rots as quick as a HD.

As for all the advice about washing, cleaning etc - all appreciated but besides the point. You can keep bare mild steel nice if you polish it every day but chrome isn't supposed to rust (as several of the parts on my bike are) and it isn't supposed to peal off after less than three years.

If other manufacturers can put a good finish on metal then so should HD - its not like they are bargain-basement-priced bikes.


Think again if mild steel or chrome won't rust.........they protect mild steel by painting it, chroming, or powdercoating it, for one to think chrome WILL never rust, is one fooling them own selfs..........chrome needs maintinence and protection too.......

with that said............ i feel road salt is the biggest offender here not H-D!!

Besides how can you compare plastic or faux chrome like metrics use to the real thing?? :rolleyes: :p

Besides how can you compare plastic or faux chrome like metrics use to the real thing??
chromed plastic is evil!! most customs from other brands are like that, all plastic chrome

Maybe, just maybe you have been "blessed" with a "bad day" motorcycle.

My '05 custom spends a large chunk of it's time looking like I just pulled it out of a lake, and the chrome has NO rust and NO peeling of any sort. A little soapy water and a soft cloth and it looks good as new again. Granted, my bike only has 29,000 miles on it so maybe it really hasn't had a chance to age yet? :dunno

I agree the chrome is no good but I have yet to find any modern chrome that is. I have a 65 BSA tank and the chrome is almost perfect even where there is a dent. The new chrome is very thin and manufacturers often skip the nickle plate that's suppose to be under the chrome to protect the metal. My dad (he's an industrial engineer) tells me part of the problem is the plating no longer adheres to the metal properly because several chemicals they were using in the plating process have been ban because they are to dangerous. Good chrome like the BSA had stays shiny and rust free for years without daily washing and waxing. I say if the chrome can't protect the part what's the point, to impress little girls and yuppies who like shiny things? I for one am taking chrome off when ever I get the chance.

Hmmmm..... the only thing that ever impressed me about the farkles that the HD dealer sold was the quality of the chrome. Now you're sayin that is no good too?

I live in a mostly wet and windy UK without the luxury of a garage.

The chrome on my XL1200R started to peel and flake away almost a week after I bought it. Regular cleaning and the most expensive cover known to mankind still does not prevent rusty nuts, spokes and forks.

I got alot of stick from various mates about buying a Harley, saying "Harley owners spend more time cleaning thier bikes than riding them".........Now I know why............The chrome is shyte!

My eventual solution was de-chrome as much as I could and powdercoat the bally lot.

Now I spend alot more hours riding the thing and a quick going over with some black colour magic gives me a more than satisfactory shine.

Nobby:)

chromed plastic is evil!! most customs from other brands are like that, all plastic chrome

Some genuine HD AC inserts are plastic chrome.
I was very dissapointed when I bought my insert (at a premium price) and found it was plastic. There was no way to know until the package was opened.
I put it on anyway but it's coming off if it starts to look like crap.


I also have to agree that the chrome pieces and some non chrome parts on my Sportster are not as weather resistant as my 1981 Yamaha was.

How about those plastic gas tanks and oil tanks on the new XR and other sportster models?? :wonderlan

HD Chrome stands up very well if never exposed to weather. The folks that buy those super high dollar motorcycles never intend to ride them anyway. They are just for show as they get trailered to the local rally. Perhaps HD couldn't care less what Sportster riders think. Otherwise why do I have to change so many items to end up with a useable bike?
And thanks for the thread, I enjoy starting my day with a good bitch session.

True But sad I don't mind A Lil rust and guess I should spend more time washing and waxing But that ain't gonna happen

I am the anti-shiny. When I was young, dumb and had a large ego I had all chrome and polished metal. Now all I worry about is mechanical perfection. My bike don't look pretty but it will start on a 20 degree day with a couple of touch's of the button and a bit of choke. It handles well, stops and holds adjustment well. Ugly doesn't bother me, breaking down in the middle of nowhere does.:spank

I would like to say that I am kind of on the fence here... one being that I am not sure how to react to the chrome thing. I have an 06 1200C I bought it in Hawaii while stationed there.... now before you say its the salt air I washed the bike regularly as clockwork, every Sunday after watching football, which by the way sucks there cause you have to get up at 6am to watch the damned games. Anyway I noticed after two weeks of owning the bike the front spokes started rusting and the headlight bezel as well. Now mind you I was meticulous at cleaning and shining and waxing and so on, but could not stop the rust on the FRONT spokes and only the spokes the outer rims is still as shiny as the day I bought it the rear rim and spokes are not affected as with any other chrome pieces, just the damned spokes and that frigging bezel!!! The bike is currently two years old and everything on the bike looks good still 'cept the spokes they are toast! SO as soon as I can afford some decent rims I'll be changing them out. Ok I have ranted enough I'll let someone else take this soapbox form me !

Check out Kawasaki, they have some bling bikes, the chrome isn't perfect but its much better than HD's.


follow your own advice and get one

on my 30+ year old bike the only good chrome is the harley stuff. anything thats after market is pitted and flaky, must be that harley's getting cheap now-a-days:smoke

I'd rather have the Factory put some good (just good, great is to much to ask) stock suspension and brakes on the Sportsters. :D
Then I'll take the chrome 'as is'.

I would like to say that I am kind of on the fence here... one being that I am not sure how to react to the chrome thing. I have an 06 1200C I bought it in Hawaii while stationed there.... now before you say its the salt air I washed the bike regularly as clockwork, every Sunday after watching football, which by the way sucks there cause you have to get up at 6am to watch the damned games. Anyway I noticed after two weeks of owning the bike the front spokes started rusting and the headlight bezel as well. Now mind you I was meticulous at cleaning and shining and waxing and so on, but could not stop the rust on the FRONT spokes and only the spokes the outer rims is still as shiny as the day I bought it the rear rim and spokes are not affected as with any other chrome pieces, just the damned spokes and that frigging bezel!!! The bike is currently two years old and everything on the bike looks good still 'cept the spokes they are toast! SO as soon as I can afford some decent rims I'll be changing them out. Ok I have ranted enough I'll let someone else take this soapbox form me !
I had a bike with rusted front spokes so I used emery cloth on them and painted them the color of the bike.
The rear spokes were fine but I painted them anyway.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll75/Jimmyess1971/GreenHell.jpg

I've found that some parts the MOCO makes are far less superior then they used to be..
a 3 year old bike,the sideplates are almost bare of chrome. you can see it.
Recently another set of sideplates are worn down, will not "BLING" at any cost.

My sideplates which are over 10 years old, are still good and shiny.. WTF ???

I've seen harley forwards completely start to flake and peal and pit. whereas aftermarket one's do not.. WTF ???

The MAJOR components of a harley that are chromed, Primary, Rocker box, handlebars seem to hold up. It's the "accessories" that leave one wanting for more.

Just my observations.

I had a bike with rusted front spokes so I used emery cloth on them and painted them the color of the bike.
The rear spokes were fine but I painted them anyway.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll75/Jimmyess1971/GreenHell.jpg

excellent idea maybe I will just go that route..... cause I do like the spokes! :tour

I have an 06 and an 07.Both Harleys,both drippin in more HD Chrome doo dads than most. Not a bit of rust or flaking to be seen on anything. Both bikes are garaged and I live in Texas.Ya don't see many rusted cars here either. I dunno.

BTW, it's not just the spoke wheels that blemish easy.
I've found my Sportser mags spot and blemish easier than any of my old bikes.
For now I just try to keep up with it but if it gets too bad they'll get the black treatment at the next tire change.

Just like any other good finish........it's only as good as the one protecting it..........don't blame H-D they just sold you the product........:laugh :p

:iagree :banarock:luvsport

I wash/wax my bike on a regular basis. The chrome from HD lasted only a few weeks on the leading edges. After about 5 months most of the chrome was gone!!! It was bubbling from underneath, flaking, chipping, and rusting all over. I got some of the worst chrome ever seen on a bike. (Probably because of the year). I haven't purchased any new chrome from the factory!! If any chrome goes back it will be professionally chromed in the future.

I undertsand that, like anything, you have to take care of the finish of the bike.
But if the requirement goes beyond general cleaning and occasional waxing then I'll paint the part or replace it with one of another finish.
I treat bikes and cars with one thing in common, I own them, they don't own me.
I've got better things to do than jack off the chrome on my bike.

i like chrome!!!and black they are my two favorite colors...

Apparently chrome is actually porous, therefore - crap chrome jobs not withstanding - it needs cleaning up and preserving with polish etc.
In England we have the extra jolly demon of ROAD SALT in the winter,
- I cant believe they actually use a product that eats vehicles. How about grit?