Chrome wrinkling on Alternator cover?

[whitestroke]

The rectangular chrome piece in front of the sidecover, the chrome is wrinkled/delaminating.  What's going on?

[garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis]

I believe this is a common problem with the cover. It did it on mine, replaced it, did it again. I never saw the chrome peel off, it just wrinkles and stays that way.

[Grandpot]

They all do it.

[98valk]

petroleum distillates in the wax/polishing/cleaning waxes and other cleaners. most plastics do not hold up well to the PDs.

[mmurffy03]

mine did it from heat on a 100 degree day one last summer

[tank_post142]

sorry it happened, BUT, since it ruined the looks of the whole bike, i'll just stop by and take it off your hands so you don't get embarrassed in public !

[JaysGone]

Im on my 3rd used one in less then 18 months.
I actually did learn better after the 2nd one.
They all stink.
Some less then others.

[Thunderbolt]

Nothing that about $40 can't fix. 

[Ricky-D]

The plastic underneath is curing and continually shrinking.

That's the long and short of it.

As long as you don't break the chrome it will stay OK and not deteriorate any worse than just the wrinkles.

Mine's been that way for forever.

People want to touch it and feel it but have to warn them off so they don't damage it.

***

[RP#62]

This has been discussed a lot over the years and one conclusion was that it may be caused by spilling fuel on it.  I don't think its heat because mine is pristine and it bakes in the Arizona heat for 4 months a year at 100+ (and it was on the bike when I bought it new in '97).  Mine has never had fuel on it and it only gets cleaned with slightly soapy water.  Maybe I just got a good one.
-RP

[Red Diamond]

They all do it.

No they don't.

[NCGhostrider]

Mine has been that way for years.  I just ignore it..  It is interesting that some do it, and some don't. 

Craig
99 I/S
NcGhostrider

[salty1]

Both of mine have wrinkled. The 98 only had 612 miles on it when I got it, the cover already had wrinkled chrome. The curing plastic thought could be the culprit?.

[saddlesore]

Just noticed mine crinkling this year. I have a 1999.  Last year I replaced the radiator side covers because of the same problem.
Has anyone tried the chrome paint that Rustoleum makes?  If I end up replacing the cover I might as well try it on the old one.

[JaysGone]

Ive tried the paint and it doesnt look anything like chrome.
More like the dull gray aluminum that the brake and clutch reservoirs look like.
I even painted the pumpkin with it just for the heck of it.
No gloss to it at all.

[Michvalk]

Just noticed mine crinkling this year. I have a 1999.  Last year I replaced the radiator side covers because of the same problem.
Has anyone tried the chrome paint that Rustoleum makes?  If I end up replacing the cover I might as well try it on the old one.

It doesn't come out looking like chrome! I tried it and it's good until you wash it, then it is flat

[saddlesore]

Thanks, now I won't waste my time or money doing that.
There's another thread here where someone is trying to make a prototype made of polished stainless steel.  Needless to say a lot of people are interested.

[whitestroke]

My VTX had a bunch of chromed plastic and none of it ever wrinkled.  Alot of it was on the engine, does the alternator get that hot? 
It's got to be gas

[Blackduck]

This thread has run before.
I saw somewhere online that certain cleaning products can do this.
Have had the same happen with the chrome surround on the taillight and there has definitely not been fuel on that.
Will be in the old posts or one can go Googling

[F6Dave]

When my '98 was still under warranty, I spilled a good bit of gas on the alt cover while removing the tank.  Shortly after that the chrome wrinkled.  The dealer said it made the bike look bad and replaced it under warranty.  Since then I always put a big rag over the cover when removing the tank, and the covers on both Valks look like new.

[MarkT]

Mine was wrinkled when I replaced the OEM alternator with the Compufire which was too big for the cover to fit over.  I had decided to run the bigger alternator uncovered as my conclusion was, the cover was wrinkling from heat.  So it's best to let it cool unimpeded.  Just keep it clean so it doesn't look bad.  I had thought of pulling the alternator and smoothing then polishing the aluminum so it shines - but never bothered.  I just accept it as part of the character of the bike now.  It has lots of other chrome...

[vanagon40]

. . . . There's another thread here where someone is trying to make a prototype made of polished stainless steel.  Needless to say a lot of people are interested.

[I JUST SAW THE POST ON THE GENERAL BOARD.  I AM WRONG AGAIN.]

The only one I am aware of making an alternate cover was Gary Eckermann aka Þrúðr aka Shockbushing Gary who is now deceased.

Check out this post from the archives.

I emailed him back in January 2011 and he stated he had no more covers or prototypes of any type left.  Gary passed away around the first of this year.  RIP

EDITED as incorrect information posted.

[cajundood]

its a combination of the heat from the alternator underneath and the heat coming from the motor. it softens the plastic and the chrome releases. but everyone is right....as long as you don't crack or break the chrome, it will just be wrinkled.
Would be nice if someone would make one out of metal.

[Jess from VA]

I don't know, but my alternator covers sort of look like my face.   

Wrinkling with age and wisdom.

Can't iron either one.

[NEHI]

    I took mine, peeled off the chrome, filled in the Honda name with bondo then painted it black to match my bike. It's seems funny, but the bike is faster than before...

[saddlesore]

I was thinking the plastic expands and contracts at a different rate than the chrome causing the wrinkling.  If that's the  case wouldn't the paint and bondo dry and flake off? 

[Fla. Jim]

They all do it.

No they don't.

Ditto have a 97 tourer  and mine is still good...Must have changed the plastic/chrome mix later on. 

[Joevalk]

I was told it's because of gas leaking from the petcock. Mine wrinkled too and my petcock was leaking. Replaced the alt cover and rebuilt the petcock and no more problems.

[Red Diamond]

I was told it's because of gas leaking from the petcock. Mine wrinkled too and my petcock was leaking. Replaced the alt cover and rebuilt the petcock and no more problems.

Hey Joe, last time I saw your bike, the petcock weep hole was sort of on the right  side, not the left. Did you relocate that thing? HEHE

[Joevalk]

Yes but when it sitting on the kickstand the drips flow toward the other right side, haha

[Grumpy]

I firmly believe it is heat related, stick your hand on a car alternator after it has been running a while, they get real hot.  I think the heat and cool cycles expand and contract the plastic cover, eventually causing the chrome to start coming loose.

[Firefighter]

Just replaced mine, glued a piece of thin heat insulation inside the cover. Has to be the heat doing this. Dont know if my fix will hurt or help. Time will tell, plenty hot here in deep south Texas, no fall weather yet!