Harley riders chrome plating question?

Question

Do replated exhaust pipes discolor more easily than those plated by the manufactures? I have replated a set of LA Choppers and they have discolored faster and more severely than any I have had before. they were plated at South Bay a good shop but I am wondering if maybe there's no way to match a manufactures plate job.

Answer 1

It is slightly possible the metal gets conditioned such that they are likely to discolor more quickly than when the pipes were new. Even my Vance and Hines long shots started to get blue and yellow coloring where the front pipe dumps into the long straight section. It is double walled but they are close right at that spot.
Okay, my bike repair guy talked to me while I was typing, didn't know if he would answer. Most re chrome shops do not get as much nickel and chrome on the pipes as the original manufacturers. Between the pipes being already heated by running them and the possibility that the chrome is thinner, I can see how they discolored quicker.

He says talk to the shop that did them and reassure them the bike is running properly. A carb jetted too lean can blue pipes in a very short while. That's why new bikes come with shields or double walled pipes. To hide the blues.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
LTR RTL

Answer 2

If you are talking about the bluing I don't think there is much you can do to prevent it. All the replating I got done lasted as long or longer than the manufactures except the pipes they didn't last as long.

Answer 3

if your fuel mix is lean they are gonna get blew fast. there are some products that take away the blew.

Answer 4

did the new header lean out your engine and create more heat

Answer 5

best check with other riders they will know your area shops and where to go.

Answer 6

YOU NEED TO COAT THE INSIDE TO KEEP THE OUT SIDE FROM BLUING