Get chrome levers. I know it sounds trivial, but they make a HUGE difference to me in overall feel. Most people are like, how can swapping on simple chrome levers alter the feel so much. But I am here to testify, they really do. The only part of your body that actually comes into physical contact with the motorcycle are your hands. Every other part is separated by cloth, denim, leather, shoes, whatever. Your hands however really notice the subtleties of the smooth chrome finish versus aluminum levers. One of the first things I do to every Harley I have bought over the last 30 year's. And every time I do it, my initial reaction is always the same. Damn, that feels better.

 

not to rag on anybody but....shouldn't folks be wearing gloves anyway? the thought of going down without them doesn't sound fun at all. I've found that buckskin/deer hide works best for me in daily riding. seems to breathe a lot better. have some elk hide gauntlets for winter riding.

 

clear coat them while on the bike simple.

 

Cycle Care M Polish is the best stuff I've found.

 

LOL.....what? Has the nanny state really come to this?


I'm sure if you looked around long enough, you could find some do-gooder congressman who thinks we need a glove law to protect us from ourselves. Dear Lord.

 

Thanks for all the recommendations, I have thought about powder-coating them black, I have a neighbor that does that, might be a winter project. After reading some comments, I remembered having the same problem when I had my sportster and ended up doing the leather wrap on them. Some say gloves, I know I should wear them, but I have a hard time finding ones that fit, I have thick wide hands, but short fingers, when I find a glove that fits my hand I have a extra half in in finger material, I have been looking for good fitting gloves for years (medium fits the fingers but large to Xl for the hand) The last really good fitting comfortable ones I had were pigskin, and that was 40 years ago.

 

Have some made to fit, it will be spendy but worth every penny.

 

OP: A quick wipe with either some adhesive remover or lacquer thinner will remove any sticky sweat from your levers.
I doubt that going to chrome will have any influence on the stuff that is on your levers. Your hands will sweat whether the levers are plated or unplated.

 

0000 steel wool pad. It doesn't scratch plus if you do it enough eventually it will polish them to almost chrome finish.