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View Poll Results: What to do?
Leave it alone, no one will notice but you!
21
52.50%
Replace with new parts. Harley Chrome is as good as anyone's re-chrome.
14
35.00%
Re-chome it, the work of any local chrome shop is better than Harley.
5
12.50%
Voters: 40. You may not vote on this poll

Re-Chrome or replace

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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 10:03 AM
  #1  
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Default Re-Chrome or replace

I just bought an older Dyna (2003) that has very low miles and is in otherwise perfect condition . . . except . . . that it lived in a garage near the beach. So after much TLC and a tube of Semichrome polish, the Chrome on the bike looks very good (see attached) until you get to within a foot or so, and then you can see very (and I do mean very) minute pitting.

So my question is . . . is it better, taking into consideration both cost and quality, to re-chrome everything, because I'm such a perfectionist when it comes to my bikes, or should I just replace it with new? To replace everything with new, it looks like it'll run about $1,000
 
Attached Thumbnails Re-Chrome or replace-low-rider-2003-12-03-11-001lr.jpg   Re-Chrome or replace-low-rider-2003-12-03-11-002lr.jpg  
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 10:36 AM
  #2  
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If you are asking this question, then I am guessing it will bother you to no end. Replace it. Whether with new or a exchange program is your call. You can save a lot by doing the exchange. Good luck
 
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 10:39 AM
  #3  
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Replace, then sell the take-offs on Ebay.
 
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 10:42 AM
  #4  
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It's your money and you make the final call .. Up close after a few polishes can even see faults with brand new chrome .. I would leave things be myself .. Someone wants to inspect my bike that close looking for faults not too concerned with their opinion anyway ....
 
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 12:29 PM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by JayStronghawk
It's your money and you make the final call .. Up close after a few polishes can even see faults with brand new chrome .. I would leave things be myself .. Someone wants to inspect my bike that close looking for faults not too concerned with their opinion anyway ....
Not sure what "everything" is you are talking about replacing but $1k goes pretty quick with replacing parts. Not to mention the potential for damage associated with wrenching.

A far as your other question Harley chrome is average quality. Actually if I were to rate them based off the chrome on my mufflers I would rate them as low quality.
 
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 12:43 PM
  #6  
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Re-chroming is expensive unless you have a lot to do...replace it with new stuff or leave it alone.
 
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 02:36 PM
  #7  
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Enjoy this trouble-free bike.
 
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 05:28 PM
  #8  
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If you have to be within a foot I'd leave it alone but it's your bike. Have you tried the 0000 steel wool on it?
 
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Wide_Open
If you have to be within a foot I'd leave it alone but it's your bike. Have you tried the 0000 steel wool on it?
Good thought but, actually there is nothing to scrub off by using the steel wool. The Chrome (and Nickel actually) is pitted such that the Copper plating is visible.
 
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 07:27 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by howitzer88
Replace, then sell the take-offs on Ebay.
H-m-m-m-m-m-m . . . Now, that's a thought . . . Might be able to recover some of the cost I suppose.
 



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