Is it just me - or has the quality of the chrome on HD's gone down a notch?

My '08 Streetglides mufflers have numerous spots that have pits or discolorations (around the rear ends). The chrome on the front heat shield is also bubbling near the front exhaust port.

I'm looking for new mufflers - most likely SE but maybe the Rush - so I'm not that worried about the mufflers - but my bike is only 1 month old and onlyhas about 400 miles on it. I'm sure HD will warranty the stuff but I am surprised that I am seeing this. I just seem to remember my Evo Roadking having better chrome..

grumpy in the new year..

 

I think that the dust from the rear disc brake can be corrosive to the chrome on the mufflers. See if it's not worse on the right side. The bubbling chrome should be a warranty issue.

 

HD's chrome has been poor quality for years, IMO.

 

I agree that the chrome quality is poor. My heat sheilds have some pits that are are almost invisible, but snag the hell out a rag... I think HD covered their *** pretty well. Don't they have a distance rule for cosmetics?

If you can't see it from say 5ft away, it isn't bad?

 

I noticed on my ultra with about 200miles on it some pits on the heat shields. No big deal cause its hardly noticeably but I remember thinking.... man already?

 

My Ultra was delivered with a spot about the size of a quarter on one of the saddlebag guards,that the chrome did not take.Replaced under warranty but couldnt belive it made it thruQC checks.