General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Chrome experts

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 4, 2014 | 10:53 AM
  #1  
luisan's Avatar
luisan
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 145
From: Lawrenceville,GA/Rome,Italy
Default Chrome experts

I have a question for the chrome experts out there:I would like to cut (trim about 2") the engine/transmission interface cover without damaging the chrome finish.Is that possible?Should I have a machine shop do the job in order to get a clean cut?Thanks
 
Old Sep 4, 2014 | 10:59 AM
  #2  
Melman's Avatar
Melman
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 4
From: Bradenton,Florida
Default

Having a machine shop do the work only guarantees that it will be straight (and that's not always guaranteed). It's how good the chrome is to start with. There are different methods of chroming and you run the risk of "chipping" the edges of the chrome where the cut is being made on any chrome part but more so on the cheaper stuff. I have a small machine shop here at work and have had this happen to me. Most of the H-D factory chrome is high quality and the risk is less but not absolute!
 
Old Sep 4, 2014 | 12:42 PM
  #3  
Sport Chrome's Avatar
Sport Chrome
Former Sponsor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 452
Likes: 7
From: Westminster, CA
Default

It is possible to machine areas without damaging the chrome, assuming it is being done by someone with experience in this type of work. We use a shop about 10 miles from us that has done jobs like that for clients of ours. However, even when done right you will be creating a potential future problem. Once you create an edge where the plating is cut away, you are upping the chances of the plating failing in that area in the future. The proper way to do it would to have it re-chromed after machining.
 
Old Sep 5, 2014 | 02:02 AM
  #4  
luisan's Avatar
luisan
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 145
From: Lawrenceville,GA/Rome,Italy
Default

Thank you guys,the part is an original H-D brand new cover therefore I assume that the quality of the chrome should be good.I'll try to find a good machine shop to do the job and if I don't like the outcome I'll have it re-chromed.
 
Old Sep 5, 2014 | 05:39 AM
  #5  
AJSHOVEL's Avatar
AJSHOVEL
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,511
Likes: 13,826
From: Pa.
Default

Originally Posted by Sport Chrome
However, even when done right you will be creating a potential future problem. Once you create an edge where the plating is cut away, you are upping the chances of the plating failing in that area in the future. The proper way to do it would to have it re-chromed after machining.
That.
 
Old Sep 5, 2014 | 06:36 AM
  #6  
hardheaded's Avatar
hardheaded
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,224
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
Default

mask it off and go slow afterwards put some silver paint of the edge.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gater
Exhaust System Topics
1
Jan 31, 2015 08:39 AM
Niteblaster
Softail Models
10
Feb 2, 2014 09:12 PM
2ez
General Harley Davidson Chat
2
Nov 11, 2010 08:55 PM
AFblacksheep
General Harley Davidson Chat
12
Mar 11, 2010 10:55 PM
Nuge
General Harley Davidson Chat
4
Mar 24, 2009 09:02 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:13 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE