harley quality chrome
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 289
Likes: 129
From: Flatlands of Indiana
I seriously doubt Harley has any Chrome plating done directly. I suspect it is done by sub-tier suppliers to their suppliers that supply the components. They would control this via specs and quality standards.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
the harley chrome os high quality good chrome. their aftermarket stuff not so much. if you want to be able to see the differance between good chrome and crappy chrome, go out into your garage and turn the lights off and take a flashlight and shine it on the chrome finish. good chrome will have a blue hue to it and the cheaper stuff will look brown. turn the lights back on and you really can't tell the differance between the two, but the good stuff will last and look better way longer then the cheap stuff.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 513
Likes: 85
From: NorCal
Why do you ask? I Imagine you’re looking to get something chromed. I would look to the show car, hot rod guys. Not many chromer’s left in California. Sherm’s in Sacramento is one of the best in the country. I have witnessed it on hundreds of the finest hot rods and customs in the country.
Last edited by FlyingSkeet; Jan 3, 2018 at 12:43 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,071
Likes: 1,006
most of the issue is not finding a quality plater, however, many are closing their doors to EPA reg's.
the #1 issue is do they know how to plate the hd base material?? especially the older stuff. i never seen a chromed daily rider that did not have issues. the hd pieces are very porous and extremely hard to get squeaky clean and then the issue of out-gassing when in the vat. sometimes so bad the piece stays in the vat a long time to try and fill in, usually does not turn out well. for that reason, i hate chrome plating.
then there is the daily care it demands. now if you want a finish that will last, then anodizing is a way to do it. now days, it has several color options.
the #1 issue is do they know how to plate the hd base material?? especially the older stuff. i never seen a chromed daily rider that did not have issues. the hd pieces are very porous and extremely hard to get squeaky clean and then the issue of out-gassing when in the vat. sometimes so bad the piece stays in the vat a long time to try and fill in, usually does not turn out well. for that reason, i hate chrome plating.
then there is the daily care it demands. now if you want a finish that will last, then anodizing is a way to do it. now days, it has several color options.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
the older parts such as pan and shovel stuff is harder to get chrome to hang on to because it is very porous. i will give a secret away though. the very best plating i've seen anywhere has been done by St.Louis plating right here in st.louie. high quality and lasts forever. i have plating they did back in 1983 on the shovelhead i sold my brother. still looks very good.
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