Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Triumph Chrome Parts Suck

Like you didn't already know, but I'm not talking about the quality of the chrome itself, but the actual parts.

I was experiencing some brake problems on my trip in September. The reservoir leaked around the cap and the lever would not return by itself, causing the pads to drag and scorch my new floating rotor before I noticed the problem.

Earlier this year, during that killer 50% off sale with Ramp Cycles, among other things I bought a chrome res cap and chrome levers. Before my trip I finally got around to installing them. I couldn't fit the brake lever in the master cylinder. I had to grind the chrome off around the part that goes into the master cylinder. Apparently I didn't grind enough because when I put the stock lever back in last weekend, it works perfectly. I put the stock res cap back on and it doesn't appear to be seeping anymore.

I guess I'm glad I didn't pay full price for those POS shiny bits.

yea triumph has to make some major improvements in there stuff. i understand they are still growing but they can do a bit better than they are. with regards to the levers thats why i am taking a peak at the pazzo levers

Frank

All triumph chrome sucks, I think I have had every chrome part on my bike replaced under warranty, and then the chrome is still crap. A applied plenty of vaseline under the cheese graters when they replaced them, as they had only chromed one side and the rear was just full of rust.

My biggest problem was the rear wheels, they tried to say it was my fault. I took the wheels off and took it to a chromium plate specialist who put in a letter for me and said who ever had chromed the wheel did not polish all of it.. Will Triumph learn anything from this I very much doubt it.

Loads of people say they cannot fault the motor but will leave triumph alone until they sort the rest of the workmanship out..

I can't express how disappointed I was at the poor quality of the floorboard hangers, they looked like an apprentice had a bad day at the plating facility. The floorboards were flawless but a lot of good that does with the rubber mat over the only really great finish in the kit. That's a lot of coin to fork over for substandard chrome.

I ordered a chrome sprocket cover for Wendys bike,good thing Bret took it out of the package to look at it before we left. It had a big blemish on top. He ordered 3 more and similar problems,10 more some had blemishes some had worse problems. I ended up getting my money back. So yep they suck, by the way ditto on the floorboard hangers. Put those on Wendys bike and had to sand the break lever pivot for the break lever to fit over it. I don't think they take into account the extra thickness the chrome adds.

Good consumer report on those levers, John.

There's a way to brighten up the stock ones.
Strip the anodize & polish 'em.
Strippers (anodize strippers, that is) I'm aware of come from Blue Lightning and Eastwood.

You can polish the stock ones with Semichrome and they do look like chrome. Once you get them really shined up, all you need is a rag and a dab of Semichrome to bring out their best again.

Don't I wish that was the case with the floorboard hangers...

I agree with the valve cover too, The one I put on Wendys bike is the same way. Very rough in the spark plug area. One of her driving lights is starting to peel too, I'll have to replace that. Probably a pair of after market lights from a local 4X4 shop I know , where Paul (the owner) gets quality stuff.

SEMIchrome or SIMIchrome? I found listings for both products...

It's Semichrome polish that comes in small tubes or cans. Here's a link to a great place to order it and BlueAway.

Marbeck's - Semichrome

Good stuff had a can of simichrome, when I first got my bike, a friend sent it from Canada, really good stuff but cannot get hold of it in the UK..

It is available in UK Ray (http://www.midwayuk.com/apps/ebrowse.exe/brandlisting?brandid=2176) , but currently out of stock. Is it better than Solvol Autosol?

Marbeck's - Semichrome

That is who I order it from. Order once a year and get a lot. A tub for home and several tubes for Rallies.

Chrome don't get ya home. Heck, even my newspeedmaster speedo cable loop is peeling chrome...

part of the problem is the way chrome parts are now plated. They don't (and in some countries are not allowed) to use copper under the top chrome layer, nothing to stick to, so the chrome just pops off..(If that's not correct, I'm sure someone will be alone to correct it! <G>)

It seems all the different bike manufacturers have problems with chrome... especially since the car makers don't use much anymore and the EPA has stepped in big time...

I hate gbmt trying to save us from ourselves...
those guys need to get a life... oh yeah... they can't!
Ok, end of rant...
Mary

Or you can just get a can of stove black and black out the entire engine and tranny! Worked on a Harley I had.

Dave