| Author | Message | ||
     Sportsman |
I've decided to retire my track bike and am going to make it into a street hot rod. I plan on doing the frame. Any of you custom guys understand the difference. All I can come up with is chrome is shinier. But how about useability since I actually plan on riding it. | ||
| Philip |
chrome is by far shinier and better looking but there can be problems with making the metal brittle. i have seen pictures of suspension parts failing on street rods that were chromed. on the other hand you see a lot of cars and bikes with important parts chromed and they seem to do just fine. just my two cents. philip | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Nickle plating will give it more of the race look...just look at Rocketman's bike, sorry folks but I think that frame deserved to be offered from the factory Nickle plated  | ||
| BadS1 |
Two different appearances.Pick the one you like the most. | ||
| Dsergison |
I personally like the warmth of nickel. I would prep the frame as well as possible, and bead blast it with finest glass bead and matte nickel plate it. | ||
| BadS1 |
Why go through all that work the platers will see that it gets stripped and prepped properly. | ||
| Bomber |
as a data point, chrome is much more durable than nickle -- I'm guessing it's due to being harder, though that's just a guess -- nickel requires a bit more maintenance to last (this all based on firearms, but I can't imagine that it differs greatly in the scooter world) | ||
| BadS1 |
Bomber you are correct.Nickle you have to polish occasionally.But looks nice.Take in consideration what other things you may need done.Cause if you do the frame nickle and engine parts chrome or polished sometimes if not mixed right might not look good. | ||
| Sportsman |
OK, Rocket's bike is about what I was thinking of only blue with a XR tailsection. The engine is black and about everything else is aluminum so the black frame doesn't do it justice. BadS is right I gotta think this through or it won't look right. Leaning to chrome now though so if I forget something I can go later and get it done. Very few parts come nickel, but heck, it's a Harley so they always have a chrome part for it. It's going to be a project for sure. I'll keep a picture diary of progress. Thanks guys. | ||
| Rocketman |
Thank you for the compliments. Wycked is right of course. Whoever heard of a chrome framed racer LOL!!! I chose nickel for authenticity. It's actually holding up well and after more than 6 years. Ok it hasn't been out in the weather much these past few but never the less it's still subject to old age right? In fact as time's gone by it has yellowed for sure and it looks great for it. Dan's right too. I know exactly what you mean about warmth. Has it corroded any? From day 1 but you'd need to look close to see where. Underneath the flat plate that holds the front motor mount and around the battery tray too, probably the rough areas. The secret is to just coat the problem areas in grease periodically. Truth is it's a damn near maintenance free deal. End of the day the prep guys can't get in at every tube to make a perfect job. Under the fuel tank is a good example where you might find the finish somewhat dull but there's enough going on even on such a minimalist bike as an SiW that you are never going to notice. As for chrome. Isn't that heavier than nickel? Man we couldn't have that on a real performance ball buster S1W could we  Rocket | ||
| BadS1 |
Sure we could.I did it.Looks great.But nickle does to Rocket. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
I could be wrong, but if I recall, chrome is essentially a very thin layer that is plated OVER a nickel base, and it gives the nickel a deeper shine and much greater longevity. The chrome imparts little color of it's own and is essentially transparent- what you are seeing is the nickel when you look at the "chrome." If you go to your local plumbing supply, you will see that nickel-plated fixtures are all the rage these days. The high end manufacturers have found a way to make a long lasting ("Lifetime Guarantee!" ) nickel finish that is less shiney than chrome and has a great matte finish that's a bit more grey than the mirror-like chrome or polished nickel. I think it would look awesome on a bike frame. See if your plater can duplicate that process. You go first - if it works out we'll all do it too! AL | ||
| Rocketman |
Dana does this mean yours is heavier than mine??? Dude I always forget enough things as it is. Your chrome job is just one of them. My apologies but please post a pic of your big fella as I've not seen it in awhile have I? Yes as I understand it chrome goes on top of a nickel plate but I know not about the translucent hallucination thingy involved! X-ray Specs perhaps? Here's a boring and worn out pic from BadWeB of old...........any excuse remember ! Look at the side stand and you will see chrome against a nickel frame.  If you look at the stand, then the frame, and compare each to the shine of the motor etc the contrast the nickel offers is what always turned me on to it. Your choice. I remember years ago Just Harley's chrome frame specials, and they looked great. What a shame they let a bunch of wankpots run that business into a Harley Davidson shite hole. Rocket | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Hey Rocket...how are those Dymags holding up? How do you like them? | ||
| Road_thing |
Dammit, Rocket, every time I look at that picture, I wanna go out to the garage, strip my bike down and send the frame out to be plated! How does the nickel hold up against rock chips and stuff like that? rt | ||
| Rocketman |
Rock chics are fine providing they weigh no more than 120lb Rocket | ||
| Road_thing |
Rocket: Maybe a trans-Atlantic English English vs. American English thing... I asked about "chips", not "chippies!"  rt fully expecting to hear about those fried potato things they serve with fish over there... | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Just don't ask him what an "English Muffin" is?  | ||
| Rocketman |
Seriously............ There's no issues with chipping. In fact I've found the nickel to be 'soft' rather than brittle when I accidentally put a tiny dent in one of the frame tubes. My honest opinion would be it is hard wearing and will stand the test of time. I expect Dana will tell you likewise about chrome finish. Rocket | ||
| Road_thing |
Thanks, Rocket! What do you do to maintain it? Wax it? rt and what about those English muffins, anyway? | ||
| Rocketman |
Nothing specific to the nickel apart from the grease areas I mentioned earlier. Normal hot soapy water wash then blow dry with an air line. Finish off with lots of finger work, clean polishing cloth and a furniture polish such as Mr Sheen. Rocket | ||
| Leftcoastal |
I caught parts of the "Biker Build Off" the other night, it was the one with Roland Sands and Arlen Ness. Rolands bike had the frame done in something called "chrome powder coat" or something like that. Looked really good, Not sure of the process, but if it's a powder coat instead of a plating process, it would be MUCH easier to do and likely less expensive. I'm gonna ask my friend Tommy about it, he was one of the guys helping build the bike. Will update when I find out more. AL |
