Chrome quality
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Stage IV
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Louisvilly, ky
Chrome quality
Looking to add some chrome to my 04 softail standard. Want to replace my gray primary cover, cam cover, lifter blocks and valve covers. My question is, should I go with Genuine HD parts, drag specialty or J&P. Who has the best quality parts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
Actual Genuine Harley chrome is very good. I'm talking about the chrome that comes on the bike from the factory. You can tell good chrome from the cheap crap by turning off all the lights and shining a flashlight onto the chrome. Good chrome will look blue under the flashlight, crappy chrome will look brown. Even though they may both look good to the naked eye under normal lighting. Guess which one will last much longer. I gotta wonder how good that Chinese chrome crap stuff hanging in the dealerships really is.
Last edited by hardheaded; Nov 13, 2018 at 09:31 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 353
From: Tyler Tx
My last bike was an fxst and I added all of the chrome primary covers timer etc etc. used drag stuff, had that bike for years and it never chipped or looked bad. I took care of it of course and didn’t give it any reason to look rough but it held up its end and stayed shiny for me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,737
Likes: 17,577
From: Driftless Area
I took all my bare covers to a trusted Plater. It's all in the prep work. He buffs the **** out of it, and the actual Plater uses copper flash to fill the tiny voids that occur in cast aluminum, and a decent thickness of chrome to finish.
Some of the nicest chrome on my Shovel was done YEARS ago.
Not much cheaper than buying the finished part off the shelf, but still cheaper...and much better.
Biggest factor is time. The process is not quick. Good winter-time project.
Some of the nicest chrome on my Shovel was done YEARS ago.
Not much cheaper than buying the finished part off the shelf, but still cheaper...and much better.
Biggest factor is time. The process is not quick. Good winter-time project.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Finding a plater now days is like finding a unicorn...most have been forced out of business by regulations...the ones that are left are usually booked 6-8 months out.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
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From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Originally Posted by Tom84FXST
most have been forced out of business by regulations...
Thank the EPA for this (amongst many others.)
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 815
From: Middle America
Generally, H-D chrome is really, really nice. But I will add this:
- I had the stock heat shield on the front pipe of my 17 Slim replaced under warranty the first week I had the bike due to it yellowing in one spot near were the muffler meets the pipe.
- I ordered a chrome OEM round bobber style A/C cover from my dealer; it looked much cheaper than the chrome on the rest of the bike. I ended up replacing it with a gloss black one.
- I had the stock heat shield on the front pipe of my 17 Slim replaced under warranty the first week I had the bike due to it yellowing in one spot near were the muffler meets the pipe.
- I ordered a chrome OEM round bobber style A/C cover from my dealer; it looked much cheaper than the chrome on the rest of the bike. I ended up replacing it with a gloss black one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 25,060
Likes: 19,460
From: New York
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