Where to start chroming? First 3 pieces...
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Some great advice from the guys here.
Take your time, and start in one place. I feel like I got the most impact from getting rid of unwanted colour by getting the smoked lenses, LED tail-light, internally wired bars and chrome lowers.
I ride a black FXSTC, and those change made a big difference to the overview look of the bike. So too, anything you do that changes the rider view
The lower belt guard is an easy job and internal wiring the bars will cost you nothing.
Keep getting ideas and prioritize.... good luck!
Take your time, and start in one place. I feel like I got the most impact from getting rid of unwanted colour by getting the smoked lenses, LED tail-light, internally wired bars and chrome lowers.
I ride a black FXSTC, and those change made a big difference to the overview look of the bike. So too, anything you do that changes the rider view
The lower belt guard is an easy job and internal wiring the bars will cost you nothing.
Keep getting ideas and prioritize.... good luck!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
This is JUST ME personally. I know this is going to really P@&S a few people off but this is just my thoughts and my observations. I too am a chrome *****. It is not hard to drop 6, 8, or even 10k on chrome. I have litterally nothing that is not chrome. I know you can always find a little piece here and a little piece there to chrome, for instance, a chrome piece to go over the clutch adjustment coming down off of the bars. I have 4 more pieces to chrome out but I have to wait for winter because I send my stuff out to get chromed or I buy chrome replacment parts and these 4 parts do not come in chrome from or by Harley, as of yet. The ONE thing I do not do with my chrome is to buy any form of chrome covers, ie., inner primary, swing arm and so on. You can easily tell the differance between the two. I would rather have a bike with a few actual chromed out pieces then a bike done to its entirety with parts that have "chrome covers" over them. Now, I will be the 1st to admit. I have been blessed with a very good paying job the past 25 years and I know as well as anyone how hard it is out there. I have 2 kids working thier AZZ's off for peanuts. Before this job I worked for peanuts. It's just my thought process though that no matter what I made, if it was only 1 piece at a time, it would be an actual chrome piece as apposed to chrome covers. If I could buy 1 chrome piece or 5 chromed cover's, I would opt for the 1 actual chromed out piece. When you line your bike up with a row of others, it's easy to tell and all the other riders notice it as well. This is just MY personal thought process on chrome, not to offend anyone. Thats not my style or my thing.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
I wouldn't do a chrome swingarm on a Softail. In fact, I went the other way & swapped one once off a bike I bought to a guy for his black one. Reason? Chroming the swingarm breaks up the "line", or "continuity" of the frame & IMHO, totally ruins the effect of the "hardtail" look.
Another thing that I think is real cornpone--chrome covers. Hate 'em. You want chrome--replace the original part with a chrome replacement, not a silly cover that just adds junk weight to the bike. Then sell the stock one on Ebay.
But, what do I know?
Another thing that I think is real cornpone--chrome covers. Hate 'em. You want chrome--replace the original part with a chrome replacement, not a silly cover that just adds junk weight to the bike. Then sell the stock one on Ebay.
But, what do I know?
Last edited by dickey; Jun 28, 2012 at 01:28 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,729
Likes: 7
From: Republic of Texas
This is JUST ME personally. I know this is going to really P@&S a few people off but this is just my thoughts and my observations. I too am a chrome *****. It is not hard to drop 6, 8, or even 10k on chrome. I have litterally nothing that is not chrome. I know you can always find a little piece here and a little piece there to chrome, for instance, a chrome piece to go over the clutch adjustment coming down off of the bars. I have 4 more pieces to chrome out but I have to wait for winter because I send my stuff out to get chromed or I buy chrome replacment parts and these 4 parts do not come in chrome from or by Harley, as of yet. The ONE thing I do not do with my chrome is to buy any form of chrome covers, ie., inner primary, swing arm and so on. You can easily tell the differance between the two. I would rather have a bike with a few actual chromed out pieces then a bike done to its entirety with parts that have "chrome covers" over them. Now, I will be the 1st to admit. I have been blessed with a very good paying job the past 25 years and I know as well as anyone how hard it is out there. I have 2 kids working thier AZZ's off for peanuts. Before this job I worked for peanuts. It's just my thought process though that no matter what I made, if it was only 1 piece at a time, it would be an actual chrome piece as apposed to chrome covers. If I could buy 1 chrome piece or 5 chromed cover's, I would opt for the 1 actual chromed out piece. When you line your bike up with a row of others, it's easy to tell and all the other riders notice it as well. This is just MY personal thought process on chrome, not to offend anyone. Thats not my style or my thing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 403
From: Australia
The first 3 i did (purchased) were:
1. Chrome Voltage regulator cover
2. Curved laydown licence plate holder
3. Chrome dash tank panel.
They were the first parts i bought while waiting for my bike to arrive. By the time i got it, i had about another dozen parts to go straight on aswell.
1. Chrome Voltage regulator cover
2. Curved laydown licence plate holder
3. Chrome dash tank panel.
They were the first parts i bought while waiting for my bike to arrive. By the time i got it, i had about another dozen parts to go straight on aswell.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Very good posts guys. And I agree, chroming looks a lot better than covers. Since this particular bike will be done correctly and not rushed, I will chrome as much as I can verses covers. Obvious things like the lower belt guard (which I just ordered yesterday) will be a cover, but there is a local chrome shop here in Richmond who is reasonably priced and has a one week turn around. That will be the "general plan" for much of the bigger parts. I used him on some of my Dyna parts and was pretty happy.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,729
Likes: 7
From: Republic of Texas
Very good posts guys. And I agree, chroming looks a lot better than covers. Since this particular bike will be done correctly and not rushed, I will chrome as much as I can verses covers. Obvious things like the lower belt guard (which I just ordered yesterday) will be a cover, but there is a local chrome shop here in Richmond who is reasonably priced and has a one week turn around. That will be the "general plan" for much of the bigger parts. I used him on some of my Dyna parts and was pretty happy.
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Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 7
From: kansas city,mo
It's all gonna change eventually.... Who cares what stands out the most ...
Start looking up all the parts and get what ever you can for the best deals... You know save on some coin$$$....
Just a thought... atleast for me ... my thoughts when adding on some bling bling to my bike.
I bounced all over the place... Never focused on one spot.
Start looking up all the parts and get what ever you can for the best deals... You know save on some coin$$$....
Just a thought... atleast for me ... my thoughts when adding on some bling bling to my bike.
I bounced all over the place... Never focused on one spot.
Last edited by BLKnCHRME09Deluxe; Jun 28, 2012 at 04:54 PM.