Polished Aluminum
Joe's got the right idea.
Me? I don't worry about it too much. Sure, every now and then I'll notice the polished trees and they'll bug me, but then generally that means the whole bike could use a good wash. And my bike's not been so much about removing chrome as it has been just not adding any more. I've swapped the polished aluminum derby for wrinkle black, the chrome upper belt guard for black, and the rear shocks for black because the opportunity arose....and yeah, I guess I blacked out the exhaust when I swapped it, too.
I'm not a huge fan of the polished strut covers, but eh...
Eventually I'll powder-black my triple trees, but for now they're probably the least of my worries.
Me? I don't worry about it too much. Sure, every now and then I'll notice the polished trees and they'll bug me, but then generally that means the whole bike could use a good wash. And my bike's not been so much about removing chrome as it has been just not adding any more. I've swapped the polished aluminum derby for wrinkle black, the chrome upper belt guard for black, and the rear shocks for black because the opportunity arose....and yeah, I guess I blacked out the exhaust when I swapped it, too.
I'm not a huge fan of the polished strut covers, but eh...
Eventually I'll powder-black my triple trees, but for now they're probably the least of my worries.
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 16
From: Virginia
Yea I hate polishing the damn aluminum too. I usually use Mothers Billet polish and it does a good job. The triple trees are easy to get to but the damn rocker boxes are kinda hard cause I don't want to get polish on the black engine while doing it. I'm gonna try the steel wool thing next time and see if it is quicker.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 3
From: Chesterfield, VA
I disliked the dull finish of the aluminum and the maintenance required to make it shine and free of spots. I replaced everything with chrome except the hubs and trees.
I did a wheel swap and chrome primary yesterday for a friend who has a 06 FXDI, identical to mine when I got it. He rides and parks with little cleaning in between. The condition of his reminds me of why I went with chrome.
I did a wheel swap and chrome primary yesterday for a friend who has a 06 FXDI, identical to mine when I got it. He rides and parks with little cleaning in between. The condition of his reminds me of why I went with chrome.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Top, that sounds so vile I don't even know where to begin. 
The only thing I don't like is the aluminum trees. I'd love to do a polish job on them.
The only thing I don't like is the aluminum trees. I'd love to do a polish job on them.
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 16
From: Virginia
Nope, I have a detached garage it stays in. There is no heat or cooling in the garage though so it gets moisture on it out there and that's where some of the problem lies. I have no problems with brake dust since my wheels are chrome, it just washes right off and Shout does great on the spokes.
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