Hi guys,

I've just fired up my old 73 custom sportster for the first time is 6 yrs. I'm looking to freshen the motor and well everthing else also. When i brought the bike in '05 it was fully polished but due to a lack of time I want to chrome heads and cases, I was thinking I would powdercoat the cylinders. The bloke who is going to help me with the motor is and old harley guru. he worked alot on high performance sportsters in the 80-90's. He has recomended that I dont do it as the chroming process can warp the cases causing major oil leaks???

 

Have any of you had any problems like this?

I kinda hoping the chroming process has evolved and been refined a bit since he did it...

 

Cheers Doc

pollished aluminium is the best , chrome won't get you home . esp after it starts pelling off ,  1 good way too fuck a Sporty,     are you Greek    

No mate not greek...

I do like the old school look of the polished ally. But im trying to avoid the 8 hrs every weekend I spent in the past polishing it and water stains.

Cheers Doc

if your taking  the outer cover 's  rocker boxes ,cam cover etc , not the main engine case's ?,   the acid dip is not good for the cam bushing's , after a while the chrome can peel off manly starting from small stone chip's, if you polish aluminium use kero , no soap , just hose off & rub a little clean oil on for protection , when it's dry its hard to keep clean

Don't go for chrome, one break in the surface from a stone chip/dropped tool it will be ruined.

I use silicone spray on my polished aluminium and wipe away excess with a very small cloth that is completely damp with the spray so you're no wiping the silicone off.

No water stains, does attract a bit of dust by end of the month but it comes off easily with a wash.

Chrome will also hold the heat inside the cases so stay with the polished cases. My commando has chromed timing,clutch covers and a few other aluminum pieces around the bike that the PO had done and its flaking off and looks like shit.