DIY Cheap Mods
Pull one of each and go to Ace Hardware to match up. You'll need a buffing wheel and rouge, which can make them look like chrome, only without the rusting. For allens, I use fingernail polish that matches my bike paint on the inside of the cup after installing. Or black.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
Pull one of each and go to Ace Hardware to match up. You'll need a buffing wheel and rouge, which can make them look like chrome, only without the rusting. For allens, I use fingernail polish that matches my bike paint on the inside of the cup after installing. Or black.
Ace hardware may have a little cabinet with an assortment of chromed hex/allen bolts and/or bolt covers.
They may be expensive in comparison to the unchromed bolts, but much less expensive than the dealership.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 103
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta
Pull one of each and go to Ace Hardware to match up. You'll need a buffing wheel and rouge, which can make them look like chrome, only without the rusting. For allens, I use fingernail polish that matches my bike paint on the inside of the cup after installing. Or black.
Thanks again.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 514
Likes: 17
From: SW Mississippi
I like the stainless better. I can show you a little rust on some of the edges or centers of my chrome bolts on a heavily maintained bike that is waxed all the time. NONE of my stainless bolts looks bad at all. Some prefer the surface flash of chrome over polished steel tho. It's not very much different.
If you really ride, as we do, you're gonna get rained on now and then.
If you really ride, as we do, you're gonna get rained on now and then.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Palestine, Tx
I replaced my spokes with Fatboy wheels after pulling hard in the twisties with a trailer behind me was breaking spokes and had me constantly relacing the back wheel.
The ONLY time I feel those solid wheels down there is when I'm being buffeted when temporarily behind a tractor trailer, where you get slammed around anyway. Crosswinds have thus far not affected me to any noticable degree in the last year or so.
The ONLY time I feel those solid wheels down there is when I'm being buffeted when temporarily behind a tractor trailer, where you get slammed around anyway. Crosswinds have thus far not affected me to any noticable degree in the last year or so.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
I was wondering about that as well... I really dislike spokes and was looking at getting new wheels and I always did like the look of the solid wheels and was wondering about kiting away in a stiff breeze.
I cut down my windshield recently to lower the buffeting behind trucks. The wheels never made a difference, unless, I guess in a 50+mph crosswind. They are slicing thru the air more than parachuting. One disappointment though, was the aluminum. Even with my industrial buffer, I could only get a sheen on them; when I wanted to take them down to a mirror.
No matter what polish or technique I try; this is as good as they can get. Stock one on the left.
No matter what polish or technique I try; this is as good as they can get. Stock one on the left.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Palestine, Tx
I cut down my windshield recently to lower the buffeting behind trucks. The wheels never made a difference, unless, I guess in a 50+mph crosswind. They are slicing thru the air more than parachuting. One disappointment though, was the aluminum. Even with my industrial buffer, I could only get a sheen on them; when I wanted to take them down to a mirror.
No matter what polish or technique I try; this is as good as they can get. Stock one on the left.
No matter what polish or technique I try; this is as good as they can get. Stock one on the left.