TOPIC:

I was just told that my engine covers would cost $180 EACH to have chromed (even the little point cover) because they are magnesium. I always thought that they were aluminum. Does anyone know what they are made of for sure? Or how I can tell? Chroming aluminum is expensive enough, but magnesium is out of the question. Any help would be appreciated. As usual, the KZ Rider Community is where I turn to first.

I am looking at having the follwing covers done:
Cam Cover, point housing, point cover, and kick start cover.

Thanks!

Mag is less dense than aluminum.
Mag's density is .066 lb/cu.in.
Al's density is .100 lb/cu.in.
But that's not much help if you don't have similar parts to compare.

I think that the covers (and the entire engine) is aluminum.

You could shave a small sliver off the cover, and put a torch to it.... if it burns, it's mag.

Some of the newer bikes have magnesium motor covers...but your bike's covers are an aluminum alloy...and can be chromed. Silly question, but why don't you just have the covers professionally polished? They will look like chrome and in three years, the chrome won't start to peel off.

Mcdroid wrote:

Silly question, but why don't you just have the covers professionally polished? They will look like chrome and in three years, the chrome won't start to peel off.

I'm with Mcdroid on this one. Aluminum will polish up very nicely.

Well, that's a very good question. I have looked into this quite a bit, and most of the pricing is only 10% less for polishing. I have found that polishing requires a lot of maintenance to keep it looking good. Chrome plating, when done properly (ie triple plating) lasts for many, many years. My current chrome was not triple plated and starting peeling after about 10 years. Not too bad really, considering it didn't have the extremely important layer of copper. Now that I know aluminum needs the copper layer to allow the nickel to bond, I feel pretty comfortable going with the chrome. Now, if you know of a good polishing place with cheap pricing...I may reconsider!

No Magnesium content.Aluminum only.

79MKll, sounds like you've been doing your plating homework...I've had the good fortune to have Platingmaster Chrome ,Canada's finest chrome shop, as a sponsor for my dragbikes for many moons now.

Chrome plating is much like paint/bodywork.Prep is everything and the surface prep/polishing is what you see through the chrome. Triple plate will last forever-I've got some pieces on my bikes that are 20 years old and other than polishing swirls or nicks etc. you wouldn't know if they were from last week or last year...