Is re-chroming cost effective?

[Garland]

My bike is 10 years old, and some of my chrome accessories are pitting to the point it bothers me. I admit that I am not as fastidious about keeping her as clean as I used to, but still...My LaMonster risers, my Aeromach V-stacks, and hardbag hinges are the worst. My clutch and brake reservoirs, while not chromed, look poorly also with the clearcoat wearing. Have any of you sent a lot of little parts out for chroming, and do you feel it was worth it? The only thing I have had chromed was the wheels, and they did not turn out as well as I hoped.

I also would be interested in hearing if any of you have powder-coated or painted parts or pieces instead of re-chroming, and how it turned out.
TIA

[f6john]

I am considering the same thing. I believe the cost effectiveness is directly related to the quality of the shop doing the work. My problem is I don't have a plater that I know I can rely on. The only major part on my bike that Honda produced which I'm unhappy with is the timing belt cover. It's not pitted or peeling but if appears that the chrome is thin to the point of "seeing" thru it in spots. I contacted Cobra about some of the chrome flaking off my swingarm pivot covers and they said sorry take them to a local plater.

[Big IV]

how do you define cost effective?
are you asking is it cheaper than buying new parts? On some of the ones you can get it is, others it's not, and some of those parts mihgt be hard to replace anyway.
Are you asking is it worth putting money into something that doesn't make your bike run? That's personal.

[Garland]

For instance, I can buy new risers for $125. Does it cost $50 to rechrome? $100? I really have no idea...It is obviously easier to order a replacement and just swap parts, but if re-chroming is half the cost then I would consider having it done.

[Bagger John - #3785]

If it's a part which is no longer made, rechroming is the obvious choice.

On the other hand...if there's a gazillion of your particular accessory still available at cheap prices, replacement is probably the most effective way to go.

I got into the Valkyrie game a number of years ago. Before that, it was the GL1100/GL1200 scene. And what I did in both cases was the same: If I liked a newly installed part - either due to its functionality or cosmetic enhancement - I bought a few spares. In the case of my Valkyries, a number of each...I was looking down the road to a time when I would own several of the bikes.

Now, if a certain part begins to show its age, off it comes...a new replacement is fitted...and the old part is sent off to be rechromed.

I use H&R plating for all my stuff - steel and aluminum. Chet of Rattlebars used to use 'em too...

[Momz]

Chrome is nice, but as stated before, the price depends on the quality. Color powdercoating is an alternative that may get you even better/unique results. I just had my valve covers, timing belt cover, rear master cylinder cover, rear fender struts, and handle bars powder coated for only $160.00. The quality is outstanding!
Mine was done by Supreme Welding and Propeller repair in Clinton Twp. MI (586 791-8860)