I'm trying to decide on what kind of rims I want to put on my 03 R1. My buddy is telling me to chrome it, but then I got to do the frame and swingarm to make it look right. I would love to chrome it, but then I'm thinking of the Blackstone Tek carbon-fiber rims, and trying to make the bike more performance wise than just looks.. What do ya'll thinK? :dunno

I had chrome on my 600, and the ordeal over them alone made them not worth considering ever again :rant

It took over 6 monthes to get it straightened out, wrong cush drive returned, 2nd. cush drive lost, 3rd. cush drive plated at another source, mismatched chrome, missing spacers, you name it. With the cost of chroming, cost of used rims, extra cush drives, shipping & time consumed, I didn't save any money :argue

And that wasn't even considering the potential plating issues (ie: hydrogen embrittlement) :yesnod

Thats exactly why when I decided on rims for the 02, I only considered reputable wheel manufacturers, and decided to avoid the bling and steer towards a more race/performance oriented look. The difference in performance between the two (chrome OEM & forged alloy) is nothing short of incredable :thumbup

They cost a little more, but the only headache was waiting for them, they are a no brainer from now on :yesnod

My forged Marchesini 10 spokes are pictured below-

 

if your looking for performance, then chrome is not the way to go as it adds weight to the wheel, albeit only a few ounces. but chrome is just not at home on a track. if looks are what you're after, then by all means chrome them and enjoy. make sure your plater does a full 3 step plating process, and offers a strong warranty. powdercoating is another way to alter the look of your wheels, and its much less expensive than chroming. there are even mirrored powdercoats available now that have a nice glossy anodized finish.

 

You always have the risk of chipping as well.

 

chrome dipped! 13 X 7 reversed triple gold daytons with hydros hittin switches baby yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bling bling

 

Re: Re: Who's riding on Chrome?

I had chrome on my 600, and the ordeal over them alone made them not worth considering ever again :rant

It took over 6 monthes to get it straightened out, wrong cush drive returned, 2nd. cush drive lost, 3rd. cush drive plated at another source, mismatched chrome, missing spacers, you name it. With the cost of chroming, cost of used rims, extra cush drives, shipping & time consumed, I didn't save any money :argue

And that wasn't even considering the potential plating issues (ie: hydrogen embrittlement) :yesnod

Thats exactly why when I decided on rims for the 02, I only considered reputable wheel manufacturers, and decided to avoid the bling and steer towards a more race/performance oriented look. The difference in performance between the two (chrome OEM & forged alloy) is nothing short of incredable :thumbup

They cost a little more, but the only headache was waiting for them, they are a no brainer from now on :yesnod

My forged Marchesini 10 spokes are pictured below-

Listen to the man! He knows what he's talking about. I had a horror story behind my chrome wheels on my R6. It was not worth the money, trouble and risk at all!!!

 

only 24K for me baby

 

only 24K for me baby

Lol...Brittle has a whole new meaning

 

What have you decided? I'm in the same boat as you!!

 

I am in the process of chroming my wheels, swingarm, cush drive, polishing my rotors, and thats about it. I have the 02 liquid silver R1 and from pics i have seen of polishing all of these components it should like pretty good. Most people on this forum tend to dislike chrome, but I like the way it looks. But then again, whoever said chrome is not at hom on the track is right. Just make sure you go to a good chrome person if you do it. I sent my stuff to sportchrome in Cali. They have been a little difficult to get a hold of these past few days, but I have had several friends use them and had nothing but good things to say after the experience. IMHO, I love the look of Chrome on a bike.

 

only 24K for me baby

Looks like 24 karat jet black to me...


IXI

 

My previous bike ( 1993 FZR 1000 ) was all polished up and chromed... I polished the frame and had just about everything else chromed... the rims, swingarm, rearsets, shiftarm, rear brake caliper mount, bar ends, etc... etc...

But it became a REAL pain in the ass to clean all that crap. The rims came out real nice but I was always afraid of chipping them.

My '02 R1 I have now is dedicated to performance rather than 'bling'.


Pics of my FZR1000...

 

pic 2

 

My '02 R1 that I have now...

 

hay magnus.. your resivoir covers.. who are they made by?

IXI

 

I am in the process of chroming my wheels, swingarm, cush drive, polishing my rotors, and thats about it. I have the 02 liquid silver R1 and from pics i have seen of polishing all of these components it should like pretty good. Most people on this forum tend to dislike chrome, but I like the way it looks. But then again, whoever said chrome is not at hom on the track is right. Just make sure you go to a good chrome person if you do it. I sent my stuff to sportchrome in Cali. They have been a little difficult to get a hold of these past few days, but I have had several friends use them and had nothing but good things to say after the experience. IMHO, I love the look of Chrome on a bike.

***Heads up!!
My experience with chrome was like I said, a horror story. SportChrome was the company that did all my work. I'll just say this, KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE CHROME PARTS!!! When you get down to clean it up, take a very close look at all the parts for signs of what looks to be the chrome starting to crack. This may be more then just the chrome layers cracking. In my case it was the metal itself.

PM me if you want the details to my experience with those guys at Sportchrome.

 

Chrome is not a proactive effort. Chrome will chip and peel at some point during the life of your bike. Powdercoats are very durable, and look great. I have had chrome wheels on my first 1996 ZX6R way back then. And them babies lasted 3 years, before the chain hit the rim. wow, I was pissed. Now I polish mine, but nowadays, I will probably buy rims or powder coat them.

 

hay magnus.. your resivoir covers.. who are they made by?

IXI

Pro-Tek reservoir covers ( anodized red aluminum )

 

i cant believe you are asking between chrome:ugh and blackstone tek:jump it is a no brainer:yesnod if money isnt the issue, which i assume its not or you wouldnt have asked the question, then get bsts. they are the BEST wheels avaliable bar none.:yesnod

 

Pro-Tek reservoir covers ( anodized red aluminum )

yeah.. i thought that looked like the protek red...

i am interested buying their blue ones..

how much did both covers cost?

IXI

 

yeah.. i thought that looked like the protek red...

i am interested buying their blue ones..

how much did both covers cost?

IXI

I think it was around $35 for the pair. I bought them at a local aftermarket shop.

 

you have alot of options, you can get you stock wheels chrome plated for 500 bucks, pay what ever for some carbon fiber wheels, or 1800 bucks for some chrome PM wheels that are bad ass. any way you go it will look good.and as for chrome chipping I havent had any problems out of my wheels and I race every week end.

 

We have a red flamed 03 r1 at the shop that just got a dose of these...

They are chromed stock rims with the inner powdercoated in transluscent red... Give them a red chrome look...

 

Here is another....

 

SpidermanSS..-----> and how much does that cost?!?! i know you told me the trasulcent powder coating is like seven hundred and something.. but chromed and then powdercoated?!??!

that looks insane!!!!!

IXI

 

I'll check on the whole package for you in the morning.. just doing the inners like that might be cheaper.... Off the top of my head the chrome rims are $600 with exchange and then there's shipping.. but I'll check for you for sure... They turned out really nice..