Do you have the 'dreaded' motorcycle chrome disease?Motorcycle ChromeThe more motorcycle chrome the better? Learn about the process and get advice on installing bolt on chrome parts.
There's no doubt about it, everybody loves chrome. But which motorcycle chrome parts do you start with? Do you just buy a few at a time? Do you install the parts yourself? Do you go with aftermarket parts, or stick with your manufacturer's brand of chrome accessories? Do you go whole hawg and have a customizing shop take care of the whole thing? Your pocket book will answer some of these questions. If you're looking to have your existing parts plated, you need to learn more about how to choose a chrome plater to take care of your parts.
I have heard of credit cards "blueing" like exhaust pipes when the chrome disease takes hold ;) After you have read the WiseGuy's motorcycle chrome guide, you'll be well armed with information to help you get the most from your online (and offline) shopping dollar. Let's start with a quick look at the chrome plating process . . . 
Chromium plating is a process of coating metal using an electrical current. It was introduced in the 1920's and has had enduring unquestionable popularity with motorcyclists ever since. The chemical process of chrome plating is a complex scientific process, and I won't attempt to give a detailed explanation here. After all, we just want our bikes to look good, right? It doesn't really matter how it got there, but an understanding of chrome and the chroming process can help us care for our chrome and keep it looking bright for years. 
It's basically a two part process beginning with the preparation of the metal to be plated and then the actual application of the chrome to the metal. The application half of the process actually consists of three major steps. First is a soak in a copper bath to fill any imperfections that got left behind by the surface prep, then a re-polish to maintain a smooth surface. Second is a dip in a nickel bath which provides the shine. The third and final step puts a film of chromium on the part which protects the nickel from oxidizing, and lets you see the now gleaming nickel coat underneath. A final hand polishing makes sunglasses a requirement for anyone in the same vicinity :) It's important to care for this chromium film to prevent pitting down the road.
To find out more information about what happens to your motorcycle chrome parts when you send them to the platers, read our article about the chrome plating process
The care you give your chrome is a big factor in how it looks and how long it lasts. If you're installing new chrome motorcycle parts or re-installing parts that have been recently plated, be careful not to scratch them. Some parts, especially those that get hot like exhaust pipes may need extra preparation. You should let new pipes heat and cool for a few cycles before running them for an extended peroid. This helps prevent blueing. The main thing for long life of motorcycle chrome is regular cleaning and polishing. Polish your chrome any time you clean and wax your motorcycle or at least every couple of months. There are several different kinds of chrome polish available. To make the polish effective, manufacturers include some sort of abrasive in the mix. If you use a polish with too coarse a grit, or get too aggressive with your polishing, you could remove the thin film of chrome on your parts. For your new chrome you can just use a glass cleaner and wax, but if your chrome has been neglected for any length of time, or needs serious cleaning, you probably need a polish. I've had excellent results with German made Simichrome over the years. It is a very soft mix of jeweler's rouge and does a great job.
If you stay with a high quality polish from a reputable manufacturer you should be fine, even though it may cost you a bit more.
* Backrest with chrome side plates (lots of surface area :)  Sometimes parts on your bike aren't available in chrome versions. For example, fork sliders or frame components.
In that case, you might have to find a chrome plating shop and send your parts off to be chromed. It's best wait until the winter off season to do this, since you don't want to lose precious riding time.
1: For bolt on accessories, read the instruction that come with the part(s). Make sure you know exactly what's involved before you reach for the wrenches.
2: Use the correct tools. That means use the correct sizes of wrenches, sockets, and even screwdrivers. Pliers are not a good substitue for the correct wrench. Besides busting your knuckles, you could slip and ding that new motorcycle chrome :(
3: Go finger tight on the fasteners first before snugging down the first one. Review your installation process and instructions one last time at this point.
4: Don't over tighten the fasteners. A replacement for a stripped bolt could be hard to find, especially when your anxious to get on the road with your new parts installed.
5: It's a good idea to go back and re-check and re-torque the fasteners after a few hundred miles. 6: If possible, stick with one manufacturer's line of motorcycle chrome parts. It's more pleasing to the eye if everything matches.
7: If your new chrome addition doesn't add enjoyment to your ride for some reason, be a man and take it off, especially if your bike's handling is affected. (eBay to the rescue again)
Would you like to have a better idea of what your new parts would look like on your bike than what you get from looking at those little pictures in a print catalog? Before you buy? Then try this cool new software package that I found . You can outfit your bike right on your computer. It has different models of bikes (Harley's only right now) and over 300 different accessories you can put on the bikes at the click of a mouse. Once you have the motorcycle accessories that you want installed on the bike, another click of the mouse gives you a list of the parts you picked and current prices from one of my favorite motorcycle chrome sources, J&P Cycles . At that point you're armed with all the information you need to get the right motorcycle chrome to customize your ride the way you want it. You know how it will look and how much it will cost. It's really a well done program. J&P Cycles is not the only place to get chrome motorcycle accessories online, check out this store too . They also have a well stocked motorcycle chrome closeouts section. You may be perfectly happy with the parts you have. Having your existing parts chromed may be the best idea for you. Click here to find out who we endorse for chrome plating projects. Request a quote for your chrome project at the bottom of this page. You can get $10 off your chroming project by using our order form. Looking for Cobra motorcycle accessories ? Visit my page which has plenty of sources for Cobra motorcycle accessories at your fingertips!
If you have ideas for customizing projects or buying motorcycle chrome, I'd love to hear from you! Link.::.Contact
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The easiest way to decide what motorcycle chrome parts to get is to just thumb through a