Plan to replace my 21" wheel with 19" wheel. There is a used 19" wheel on eBay. With powder coating + new bearings, this used wheel will end up cost me around $450; while the new one from Harley is about $550. My question is not about the worth of saving the $100, just wonder which paint can last longer, the powder coating vs harley paint

Thanks for all inputs..

 

How do you know if the prep/coating was done correctly on the used rim? What if the rim is out of round, etc? Is there a warranty on it? I think not. IMHO, you'll be better off buying a new HD wheel. Good luck.

 

At barely more than a 18% discount from "new", there's no way in hell I'm buying "used". It depends on how bad I want a thing, of course, but I'm looking for in the area of 50% unless its a big ticket item like an entire bike or car. Thats just me.

Used and just painted / coated,,?!!?

I just bought a 650 km, 68t rear sprocket on e-bay for 100 bux in its as new condition. New they run $250 and up. This is from a seller that deals a LOT of used HD parts and presumably understands "fair market".

Not a judgement on your ultimate choice bro, just my input FWIW.

 

Powder coating as mentioned is only as good as the person who has done the preparation. Has the item been zinc washed/dipped after stripping? This aids adhesion and protection.

 

Check the price of the wheel you are interested in here:

http://www.boardtrackerharleyonline.com

But, hd wheels dont come with bearings or inner spacers. Bearing are about 20 each and the inner spacer is usually about 8. The the valve stem is about 5-8. ~50. Wheel fitment kit from hd is about 80. 50 sounds better, right. So add about 50 to the cost of the wheel.

a bad powder coat job can peel right off. A good one will last many many years.

 

What leads you to believe the new wheel is painted, not powder coated?

 

Think outside the box. A chrome, steel, or aluminum sandblasted and Rust-Oleum

 

Here are my answers for questions in responses observed above:

1) Not sure chrome selection. My rear chrome is peeling off while the front 21 spoke is still in very good condition. I got no confidence on harley chrome mag wheels.
2) Yes, I do not know how harley paints their wheels. They may be powder coated too..
3) The eBay seller claims the wheel is straight. Yes, I do not know if it also means it is round.

Overall, the post is not about the money. It is about if harley powder coating their wheels or not. If not, will well-prepared power coating wheel last longer than the paint from by harley. If harley paint lasts longer powder coating wheel, then for sure I will buy new one instead... This may depends on, that say, harley paint good for 5 years, while powder coating good for 6 years, then I will probably still buy a new wheel. I am just interesting to know the difference between both.

FYI, my local harley dealer provides powder coating for old wheels as well, $100 for each

Thanks for all helpful, useful responses.

 

The disadvantage with powder coating is that dependent on conditions if it gets a chip in it and water gets in it can degrade quite rapidly. A decent enamel will outlast powder coating IMHO.

 

H-D does not finish wheels, they are finished at the vendor. Related to powder coat and Harley product: whether applied via powder coat, or spray process, the formulas are exactly the same. Example: H-D black wrinkle, every part finished in black wrinkle is applied via powder coat process, except the starter, which is painted, does anyone know why this is?