Chrome or Blackout
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,042
Likes: 12,326
From: Arkansas
I've never been a fan of chrome and when I bought my current bike, it was loaded with chrome **** which was installed by it's previous owner/s.
My initial reaction was to loose all the chrome and go black.
I bought it two days before going in for shoulder surgery so it was a few months before I was able to start riding it and while I was recovering from the surgery, I started removing some of the chrome covers.
After filling a good sized tub with the stuff, I got to thinking about the fact that some day, myself or my wife ( should I check out) are going to want to sell it.
I know chrome is popular with the a lot of riders and leaving it on will more likely than not, make selling it when the time comes, much easier so I stopped removing or replacing it.
The way a bike looks doesn't really matter to me much. If it's running well and puts a smile on my face every time I throw a leg over it, I'm a happy camper.
So. I guess my answer is, doesn't matter to me.
My initial reaction was to loose all the chrome and go black.
I bought it two days before going in for shoulder surgery so it was a few months before I was able to start riding it and while I was recovering from the surgery, I started removing some of the chrome covers.
After filling a good sized tub with the stuff, I got to thinking about the fact that some day, myself or my wife ( should I check out) are going to want to sell it.
I know chrome is popular with the a lot of riders and leaving it on will more likely than not, make selling it when the time comes, much easier so I stopped removing or replacing it.
The way a bike looks doesn't really matter to me much. If it's running well and puts a smile on my face every time I throw a leg over it, I'm a happy camper.
So. I guess my answer is, doesn't matter to me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 2,261
From: Ft. Wayne IN
Chrome for me. Just traded my 2018 Heritage (almost all black) for a 2022 Heritage (almost all chrome). Much of my Vivid Black 2018 has dulled over the years (example primary cover) or shows flaws. I've tried Meguire's polish and wax and it just doesn't hold up. Hope chrome is better.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,465
From: Charleston, SC
I'm 75 so I know that I'm old. I like chrome and have my doubts about all the black out features on the newer bikes. When I was a younger man we often had to live with the "black out" features because we couldn't afford chrome. I was just wondering if I am alone in feeling this way. No arguments, the last think I want to do is start a fuzz.
I like a blend of color and chrome against a Black cyclinder with chrome heads. The chrome mufflers with Black end caps look good. Or black mufflers with Chrome end caps.
There is one combo though that I do think looks good: A RED Bike with blacked out engine and other parts has a nice look. But I'll also say that BLACK isn't a color...it's the ABSENCE of color. White is a color, red, blue, green, yellow, purple are all colors.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 412
From: Studio City, CA via Rochester, NY
This for me as well. I've had both but find that the powder coat scratches very easily and the black color really shows the scratches, whereas the chrome isn't nearly as soft.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 2,202
From: College Station, TX
When I started riding (a long time ago) the choice was either mostly plain aluminum of chrome. I always preferred chrome, but it was expensive. So I would have parts chromed when I took things apart for maintenance. That said, I have seen many examples of bikes that had too much chrome, like a chrome gas tank or frame.
What was black back then was painted black, not powder coated, so it didn't hold up as well as the black parts do today. That includes frames.
I do like the older bikes from the 30's and 40's with nickle plating. It's shiny, but as bright as chrome. That might be a trend worth considering again.
Paul
What was black back then was painted black, not powder coated, so it didn't hold up as well as the black parts do today. That includes frames.
I do like the older bikes from the 30's and 40's with nickle plating. It's shiny, but as bright as chrome. That might be a trend worth considering again.
Paul