| A motorcycle is incomplete if it does not have | | | | It is now the turn of polishers to take over. They |
| gleaming chrome parts that glint in the sun or reflect a | | | | patiently polish the surface till it starts gleaming. |
| rainbow of colors at night. The lust for chrome is so | | | | The bikers love what they see, and take infinite care |
| great that most riders spend hours polishing their bikes | | | | to keep the chromium -plated accessories the same |
| to make the chrome glint and gleam. Some even install | | | | away. They try to ensure that the parts don't get |
| special chrome parts to give their bikes an added | | | | scratched and the polishing is done regularly. The |
| sparkle. | | | | selection of polish is especially important. It is best to go |
| The popular chrome-plated accessories include: | | | | for a branded product that has a sufficient amount of |
| chrome cast wheels, backrest with chrome side plates, | | | | wax in it. Polishes that have extra grit damage the |
| billet chrome license plate frame, chrome driving light | | | | chromium film. |
| bar, chrome luggage rack, saddlebags with chrome | | | | Also, a soft cloth should be used to polish the surface. |
| studs, chrome fender bumpers, chrome passenger | | | | This reduces the chances of scratching the surface |
| floorboards and chrome headlamp and signal visors. | | | | inadvertently. A good practice is to remove the ring |
| One should not forget the exhaust pipes and fenders. | | | | while polishing. Often, the ring comes in the way and |
| These are the first to catch the bikers' fancy. They | | | | leaves a scratch on the polished chrome surface. |
| make sure that the exhaust pipes and fenders get an | | | | The bikers should also be careful of using newly |
| extra coating of chrome if they are not satisfied with | | | | chromed exhausts. They should avoid driving long |
| what the manufacturer have given them. | | | | distances with a new exhaust, as this may turn the |
| A popular stop of young bikers is the chrome-plating | | | | exhaust blue. The best practice is to run the bike over |
| shops, which use a three-part process to chrome plate | | | | shorter distances initially so that the exhaust pipes get |
| motorcycle parts. The first step is soaking the parts in | | | | used to the heating and cooling process. |
| a copper bath. This is done to remove imperfections, | | | | All bikers must remember that chrome plating will look |
| and make the surface smooth. Then comes the nickel | | | | good only if they take good care of it. |
| bath. The last step is the application of a chromium film. | | | | |