I bought HD's custom wheels last year around March. I can't remember what they called them, I have the part number on the receipt. This morning I'm washing the wheels and the chrome starts peeling off!! Has this happend to anybody and if so what did you do to correct this problem? Thanks.

 

I'd bring it by the dealer and show 'em. My brother in law bought a Road King Custom last summer and the chrome is peeling off his wheels too. The dealer is going to replace them.

 

It's gonna require replacement - there's no way ta "fix" it, period. Chromin' of aluminum isa staged process requirin' sub-layers of different materials, an' it's gotta be done RIGHT at every step, or it peels. Bear in mind ah don't do platin' - ah supply the demineralized water needed ta make the process work in many areas. Lots of contract shops try to "shortcut" the process by extendin' baths and rinses beyond their rated replacement intervals, bettin' that by the time it's caught, the product is out of warranty - or they're outta business. Plating is as much an art as a science, an' it takes real work ta really do it right.

One other thang fer folks ta consider when lookin' at chromin' aluminum is that aluminum will flex - chrome will NOT. Durin' the course of a tire change, the rim itself is likely to flex, which can easily cause the bond of the plating to the base metal to fail. Likely won't show up right away, but over time it will.

 

Unfortunetely I bought the wheels in Iowa and I live in Texas. I'll shoot the dealer I bought the bike from an e-mail and see what he says. I'm sure if I take it to a local one they'll tell me it's not their problem.

 

You may have to have them re-chromed - ditto the above post - a good explanation as to how and why this happens.

 

RT, are you saying that I'm SOL and HD doesn't stand behind their products??

 

I think I'll keep my stock rims on.