More than bad luck?
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, GA
More than bad luck?
I have an 06 Ultra with approximately 45,000 miles on it. I have SE exhaust with the billet end caps. When the chrome peeled off the first set of end caps, with the right the most severe, I figured I must have gotten some parts with bad chrome plating. When the chrome peeled off the right end cap of the second set I figured it must have come from the same lot. Now the third right chrome end cap has the chrome peeling off. The MC is running well and I do not seem to be having an engine related issues. Is this just a poor design on this part or is something else going on?
Looked at getting different end caps but HD does not list end caps for the 06 and older bikes in any of their catalogs any more. Are there any after market end caps which will fit?
Looked at getting different end caps but HD does not list end caps for the 06 and older bikes in any of their catalogs any more. Are there any after market end caps which will fit?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 45
From: Michigan
Im gonna assume they are made of aluminum and chrome plated and if not done properly plated aluminum can peel or flake off. also adding heat to the mix doesnt help either.. how about pulling them and having them powder coated ?
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 748
Likes: 1
I'm not trying to bash factory Harley parts here but I've found their chrome quality has taken a nose dive over the past couple years. Used to be you would have to spend a fortune at a very good plating shop to match their chrome (for the most part) but now it's hard to find a part on the bike that doesn't have loose chrome. I suspect that comes from an increase in outsourcing over seas.
I just powder coated a factory spoke rim that lost every bit of it's chrome during blasting! Used to be none of the chrome would have come off or maybe only a small area inside when the tire covers. That's just one example of many.
If you are dead-set on keeping your end caps chrome you should contact a GOOD chrome shop that has a reputation for quality. A cheaper route would be to have them powder coated as suggested earlier. If you're interested in powder coating talk to as many local indy bike and hotrod shops in your area to see who they suggest. If done properly, you won't have anymore problems either way.
I just powder coated a factory spoke rim that lost every bit of it's chrome during blasting! Used to be none of the chrome would have come off or maybe only a small area inside when the tire covers. That's just one example of many.
If you are dead-set on keeping your end caps chrome you should contact a GOOD chrome shop that has a reputation for quality. A cheaper route would be to have them powder coated as suggested earlier. If you're interested in powder coating talk to as many local indy bike and hotrod shops in your area to see who they suggest. If done properly, you won't have anymore problems either way.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, GA
Thanks for the tips. I talked with the local dealer here and they have a powder coater they use for this. Apparently you have to make sure the powder coat is rated for high temperature. Sounds like the right way to go.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
I had the same problem with my '05 RK. The chrome pealed on the bottom by the retaining screw. I don't remember the milage that it occurred at but it was not a lot. Both times it was replaced under warranty.
I would ask your dealer to contact the Company and see if they will cover it. It appears to be a known problem.
I would ask your dealer to contact the Company and see if they will cover it. It appears to be a known problem.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 748
Likes: 1
High temp powder is not required. The tips and heat shields do not get hot enough to affect standard powder coat. If you go with high temp black you will be limited to gloss level... your choice.
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