Chrome "Coating" flaking off front wheel

Canuck · 08-04-2009, 09:25 PM

When i do my fall tune up and get my bike winter ready for Vancouver Island im considering what to do with my front wheel. Its now flaked off 60 percent of the exposed part of my rim...

I was thinking of taking it in for a Sandblasting($50 Canadian per hour plus sand at $15 a bag), or polish the hell out of it and then get a new front wheel put on. (mine are cracked from weathering/age..etc)

I've seen some examples of people who painted over the chrome look with black...but I'd prefer not to ..

I know it wont match the rear wheel but will a THOROUGH polishing get it pretty close??

Water Warrior 2 · 08-05-2009, 03:05 AM

If both "tires" are cracked from age I would suggest that be the priority. New tires and tubes first. The chrome finish on the wheel is cosmetic, the tired tires are your life line to the road.

patrick_777 · 08-05-2009, 05:04 AM

:plus1:
If your tires are cracked from weathering or age, they're in need of immediate replacement. They are very dangerous and you're looking at a blowout causing an inconvenience or worse.

Forget the chrome for now...like WW said, tires are your life and THE most important part of a bike.

Easy Rider · 08-05-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuck

When i do my fall tune up and get my bike winter ready for Vancouver Island im considering what to do with my front wheel. Its now flaked off 60 percent of the exposed part of my rim...

WOW.....TWO guys with flaky chrome .....in the same day !!!

I'm now wondering if it really is the chrome metal finish that is coming off......or a clear coat finish of some type and the actual chrome is still there. Having the actual metal flake off is somewhat unusual. If I were in that situation, I think I'd be shopping for some new wheels.

VTXorcist · 08-05-2009, 10:18 AM

Appreciate the info about the cracked sidewalls on the tires. I saw that elsewhere on this forum and never even knew to check for that (not as big a deal on cars, I don't think). I'm actually getting my tires on my VTX replaced this week now as a result. Thanks for potentially saving my life!

Water Warrior 2 · 08-05-2009, 03:44 PM

In a perfect world we would all get to wear out our tires before they ever get old and start to crack.

dannylightning · 08-21-2009, 11:08 AM

i also have flakey chrome on my front rim. it started to rust a bit, think that is what set it off and after i had my new tires put on the chrome really started to flake off. think it was the machine that takes the tires off and on that really made it start chipping. before that there was just a little chrome chipped off.

nothing wrong with my rim either, just chipping chrome. but you know what, i dont think im gonna worry about it unless i can find a good used front rim really cheep. the bike still rides just fine and it is just a gz, awsome little bike to ride around but its kind of like the geo metro of motorcycles, i cant see spending money on it if i don't halve to. ill save spending money on cosmetic issues for when i upgrade to my shadow or sportster iron.

08-04-2009, 09:25 PM	#1
Canuck Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 159	Chrome "Coating" flaking off front wheel When i do my fall tune up and get my bike winter ready for Vancouver Island im considering what to do with my front wheel. Its now flaked off 60 percent of the exposed part of my rim... I was thinking of taking it in for a Sandblasting($50 Canadian per hour plus sand at $15 a bag), or polish the hell out of it and then get a new front wheel put on. (mine are cracked from weathering/age..etc) I've seen some examples of people who painted over the chrome look with black...but I'd prefer not to .. I know it wont match the rear wheel but will a THOROUGH polishing get it pretty close?? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-05-2009, 03:05 AM	#2
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Chrome "Coating" flaking off front wheel If both "tires" are cracked from age I would suggest that be the priority. New tires and tubes first. The chrome finish on the wheel is cosmetic, the tired tires are your life line to the road.
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08-05-2009, 05:04 AM	#3
patrick_777 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,763	Re: Chrome "Coating" flaking off front wheel :plus1: If your tires are cracked from weathering or age, they're in need of immediate replacement. They are very dangerous and you're looking at a blowout causing an inconvenience or worse. Forget the chrome for now...like WW said, tires are your life and THE most important part of a bike. __________________ ]I am hiding in Honduras. I am a desperate man. Send lawyers, guns and money. The shit has hit the fan. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-05-2009, 10:18 AM	#5
VTXorcist Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 114	Re: Chrome "Coating" flaking off front wheel Appreciate the info about the cracked sidewalls on the tires. I saw that elsewhere on this forum and never even knew to check for that (not as big a deal on cars, I don't think). I'm actually getting my tires on my VTX replaced this week now as a result. Thanks for potentially saving my life! __________________ Orange is the fastest color. Red is a close second. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-05-2009, 03:44 PM	#6
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Chrome "Coating" flaking off front wheel In a perfect world we would all get to wear out our tires before they ever get old and start to crack.
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08-21-2009, 11:08 AM	#7
dannylightning Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: akron ohio Posts: 893	Re: Chrome "Coating" flaking off front wheel i also have flakey chrome on my front rim. it started to rust a bit, think that is what set it off and after i had my new tires put on the chrome really started to flake off. think it was the machine that takes the tires off and on that really made it start chipping. before that there was just a little chrome chipped off. nothing wrong with my rim either, just chipping chrome. but you know what, i dont think im gonna worry about it unless i can find a good used front rim really cheep. the bike still rides just fine and it is just a gz, awsome little bike to ride around but its kind of like the geo metro of motorcycles, i cant see spending money on it if i don't halve to. ill save spending money on cosmetic issues for when i upgrade to my shadow or sportster iron.
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