chrome wheels question

Rotty · 12-21-2004, 05:20 PM

When you chrome your wheels, how much weight do you think it adds? Lets say a ZX10. How much do you think the factory wheels weigh and then the chrome wheels? Do you think it will make a difference on such a powerful bike? Just sitting here thinking.

hanglowejohnson · 12-21-2004, 05:29 PM

I did a quick search and came across a corvette forum. The guy posted about the same question as you did 'cept for corvette wheels. The response was that the stock wheels weigh about 20lbs and the chrome adds about 7lbs PER WHEEL... I would just factor the weight difference in your respective OEM wheels and go from there.

IMO I dont like chrome on a bike, I think dull grays, silvers blacks etc, look much better (read faster

) Chrome just slows ya down and is a pain to keep clean. Take something like the new R1 with the black wheels and red stripe in the lip... gggggooddam now that looks hot.

But thats just my opinion. If your gonna do chrome just make sure u do it right so it doesnt bubble or tarnish easily. Friend of mine had millie miglia spyders on his TL and parts of the rims were a bronze color because of poor plating.

Rotty · 12-21-2004, 05:36 PM

It wouldn't be for me. I have a 7R, no need to add the weight on top of that if you know what I'm sayin. I heard some guys around the office talking about it and was wondering how much weight would be added.

hanglowejohnson · 12-21-2004, 05:44 PM

I would say based on that other board and not knowing the exact weight of the wheels that you would probably add about 10lbs total with the chrome plating. But that is unsprung weight.. affects rotating mass blah blah blah.. im not expert by any means but that is the last place Id want to add weight, strictly in terms of performance obviously.

At least you have people inyour office lol.... I work with one other person, the boss, and she is never here. Otherwise, Im the only person to entertain myself all day.

chsnprodigy · 12-21-2004, 06:45 PM

Wow I didnt think it added that much...interesting. Its not my cup of tea to chrome stuff on my bikes, if it doesnt make the bike faster or lighter, it doesnt belong IMO. But to each there own, hey post the pics up if you get it done...good luck.

snigg · 12-21-2004, 07:23 PM

i dont think chroming sportbike wheels will add 10lbs, i highly doubt that. ill bet that no one here could ride my bike how it is now, then i chrome the wheels and they can ride it again...and i bet they wouldnt be able to notice any difference.

Rotty · 12-21-2004, 08:18 PM

I have also heard stories of chrome rims cracking, is this true also.

chesus · 12-21-2004, 08:19 PM

ive heard 2-3lbs per wheel, of course the rear is more than the front. they are a lot easier to clean than polished aluminum if you like the bling

i believe the wheels must first go into an acid bath to remove the coating which does weaken them slightly

Smitty · 12-21-2004, 08:48 PM

Even if only 7 lbs total in extra weight I think of a friend of mine that had his chromed & said "Never again" for he was continually using a rag to keep them clean & realized my preference for black was the answer.

Quicksilver98 · 12-21-2004, 08:55 PM

The extra weight will be unnoticable. They are a pain in the ass to keep clean and every little scratch shows, though. And brake dust will have you out there every morning with a rag wiping those wheels down. It's just not worth the extra effort in my book, and I personally don't like the looks of chrome on sportbikes.

2000NinjaZX6R · 12-22-2004, 10:19 AM

How about the polishing. I have seen people polish their wheels, some just the outside edge. It isn't chrome but does look shiney. What are the cons of doing that? Anyone do that to their tires?
Just curious
Later

RACER X · 12-22-2004, 11:55 AM

polishing is more maintence then chroming.

i'm thinking along the lines of 3-4 lbs per wheel. alot considering it's rotational. and yes i think you can feel the diff.

adrenaline junkie · 12-22-2004, 12:08 PM

I read some tests on Magnesium Rear wheels, vs standard wheels, and they were saying the 7 lbs extra weight of the standard wheel, is the same as 100lbs rotating mass at 40 mph. I don't know about those exact figures, but if they're even close, then I'd think you'd lose several RWHP, and you'd feel it in the turning of your bike at speed.

PartsPimp · 12-22-2004, 01:30 PM

If you can ride well enough to tell the difference then someone's probably paying you to ride so you can afford to have a bike with and without chrome rims.

bulldogs41145 · 12-22-2004, 03:52 PM

i dont see how it would add that much weight but if it does you will probably feel the difference