Between the two bikes that I have owned, I have bought many Kuryakyn chrome accessories. I think that is coming to an end. On my Honda shadow, the chrome was starting to wear off the foot pegs and the black rubber in the hand grips was rubbing off onto my hands. On my Goldwing, the first pieces of chrome that I put on, the chrome starting to wear off and the seat back is well-faded (the black cloth part). Since I ride this bike year round, these parts are exposed to the elements, which is what I am thinking is causing this problem. Recently I added the Kuryakyn luggage rack, mostly because I like the looks of this one over the other brands. When I washed this rack the following week, I noticed that the chrome was starting to rust on the under side of the luggage rack. To solve this problem, I use a chrome polish that also provides a layer of protection against moisture etc.But back to the original problem. We pay too much for the chrome accessories offered from Kuryakyn to be dealing with this problem as soon as we install the part. I am not expecting the chrome to last until the turn of the next century, but would it be too much to ask for the chrome to last 3 or more years without the chrome rusting out? The parts that come on the Goldwing from Honda last, how come do the aftermarket brands fail so quickly…we pay good money for these parts.I realize that a quality chrome application costs money, and we spend high dollars on brands like Kuryakyn because they look good. Kuryakyn spends many of the dollars we give them for design of their products, just look around, their products are unique and glorious in design. But since Kuryakyn cannot spend the extra money making sure that chrome pieces that I buy stand-up to a few weeks of weather, I think that as I replace these parts, I will look at other brands.

How Chrome is applied:

I am talking chrome…not polished aluminum, etc. All chrome is applied via electroplating. The difference between two chrome jobs is preparing the surface and how much is applied. Lets take a normal piece of motorcycle chrome… the handle bars. Once the manufacturer cuts, bends, and shapes the bars into the pattern we all see everyday, the chrome shop cleans the steel bars, typically in an acid tank followed by a rinse.Here is where the first difference is: Layer 1–copper. How much copper, if any, depends of the chrome shop. Copper is not required, but is generally provides a better finished result. For “Show Chrome” pieces, the copper layer is a must, and then the copper is buffed mirror smooth.Layer 2–nickel. This is where chrome piece really get their shine…not the chromium top layer. At a minimum, a single thin layer is all you really must have. This layer of nickel will self-level (mostly), provide an anti-corrosion layer, and produce a shine that you’ll be proud of. However, for maximum corrosion protection, durability, and shine, the chrome shop really needs to put on a thick layer of nickel, or two thinner layers.Layer 3–chromium. The Chromium layer provides scratch and tarnish resistance. The brilliance of the shine that you are actually seeing is the bright nickel finish. The chromium layer actually gives the chrome finish a bluish tint.For more information on how this process is done, goto http://www.finishing.com/faqs/chrome.html

If you can go anywhere on a road trip, where would it be? Just imagine that time is not a factor and you happen to have enough funds to go. Since I am in North America, I am limiting this to a continuous from trip from my house that I won’t need to ship my bike somewhere. There are those trips that I would like to go on, but many of those are easily manageable on normal vacation trips.This all started a few nights ago, when Dad called. It looks as he may be laid-off in the next few weeks. Part of his fantasy plans include selling his car, hopping on his bike, and heading south for the remainder of the winter months. As the days start growing longer and warmer, he is looking to take his time and head north…way north…Anchorage, Alaska for the Fourth of July.In order to keep cost at a minimum, he is looking to buy a tent, sleeping bag, and air mattress. With this new gear, he plans on camping most every night.As his typical riding partner, he mentioned this to me. It sounds like fun. I am all-in for a camping based motorcycle road trip. However, I am not sure if I would be able to join him, as I have significant monthly expenses that cannot be forgotten or disregarded. Two of the other reasons he contacted me was that I am able to find great deals on quality goods online, and I am very detailed oriented and a great organizer/planner.Part of what we talked about was the gear needed for this trip, it is amazing what we are not willing to live without, and how to pack and carry it, especially on a solo ride.Since we are both shutterbugs, the ability to offload memory cards is important. First thought is a laptop. On previous trips, I have carried mine and have used it for this and other purposes. However, Dad’s current laptop belongs to the company he works for and will likely disappear with the job. There are other portable devices made specifically for photographers to offload, backup, and review images from memory cards. Other options include a netbook computer, a tablet computer, or just packing a stack of memory cards and card reader to use at FedEx/Kinko’s, the public library, or at a hotel business center.But wait, didn’t I say that he was planning on camping his way through the trip? Yes, I did. More than likely he will stay a motel/hotel on some nights.Another modern convenience that I know I could not live without is email. Today, many people carry smart phones that allow you to do just this. Keep in mind, no matter how you get to Alaska, you have to go through Canada, which means international roaming on your phone. This can get expensive, so check with your carrier. Your carrier may also consider Alaska roaming, so again, check.Also you will need a passport to go through Canada. Last time I was there (early 2000), passports were not required; but since 9/11, someone realized that the international borders to the US posed a threat to national security. Go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.htmlIn addition to the normal packing, a trip like this is likely to include warmer, bulkier clothing, camping gear, and survival gear in case of emergency. Since this is looking like a solo ride, Dad will have to pack this on one bike instead of splitting the extra gear between bikes. I have a trailer that I have pulled behind my Goldwing that offered the use of to Dad, which will solve the storage needs on this trip. He need to learn if someone makes a hitch, wiring harness, and isolator for a 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe. I’m sure that someone does, and the bike has enough power to pull it, brakes to stop it, and enough weight to make sure that the trailer does not drive the bike.Many people have done a similar ride before, and I am sure that some of them were solo. Unlike a weekend trip through the Texas Hill-country, the Smokey Mountains in North Carolina, a Continental Divide ride through Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, or a Pacific Coast run, a trip like this will be through some remote wilderness areas. Even on something as dependable as the Honda Goldwing, I’m not sure if I would chance a ride through here alone. Either solo or in a group, I recommend carrying spare fuel for the long stretches through the British Columbia Provence and Yukon Territory, not to mention Alaska. Now is a good time to bring up the fact that other riders that have made this trip are reporting, only regular unleaded available…no premium unleaded as required by Harley (required because of the air-cooled engine). So if your bike takes other than regular unleaded, check with your dealer. For those of us that ride Goldwing’s, this is not a problem, Honda designed these bike to live on the road, including very rural roads where premium unleaded is just not found.This is just a quick posting from my phone, and as I develop this trip further, I’ll make sure that I tell you all right here. Keep safe!