Would you Chrome the Cam Cover?

[Mose]

This casting seems to have some pin holes and it's a crap shoot to hope that buffing will produce a smooth surface.
or would you polish or powder coat? it's a 1951

[caschnd1]

It's your cover and you can do what ever you like. I personally wouldn't plate, powerder coat or polish it if it was mine. I would only go as far as using a little semi-chrome polish on a rag if you want a little more luster.

-Craig

[RUBONE]

Good cam covers are hard to find. Chrome ones are easy and cheap. Just find a chrome one and pass that one on to someone who needs an original!
Robbie

[1964FLDUO]

Depends on what your going for, also powder coating is a lot cheaper than chrome. Leaving it alone is cheaper than both. If your going for an original look, I would leave it. If you want to make a custom do whatever suits you. I personally have chrome cam covers and prefer the stock look. Everybody has chrome on new bikes leaving it original makes it unique. If you want to chrome it all out and make everything flashy to get people to notice you, have fun.

[Bigincher]

That's a nice 'original-looking' cover.
As has been said, on an original-looking machine, it needs very little work..!
As Robbie says, if you really want a chrome cam cover, they are easy to find. Covers like yours take a little longer.....

[Mose]

Thanks to all who responded
I've always been partial to chrome so maybe I'll wander over to Miller's in South Daytona and see if they have anything to swap that I do like. I want the pan covers, push rod covers and cam cover to match. Everything else will be black powder coat, black laquer or wrinkle black.

[panz4ever]

Thanks to all who responded
I've always been partial to chrome so maybe I'll wander over to Miller's in South Daytona and see if they have anything to swap that I do like. I want the pan covers, push rod covers and cam cover to match. Everything else will be black powder coat, black laquer or wrinkle black.

You swap that you are getting the short end of the stick.

[james]

Tis a shame to ruin such a fine cover with chrome.
I think sometimes you can overchrome.

Jim

[CaptMike]

No.

I like just like it is.

Polished aluminum is OK with me.

[66panhead]

Keep it original Mose....why spend more dollars on it when it looks just fine as is....JMO

[Bigincher]

And just to repeat what panz4ever said, a swap for a chrome cover would NOT be an even swap..!

[Cotten]

Mose!

As you shop around, beware of those that have been plated over the bushings, or have burrs and gouges chromed over on the gasket surface.

Chrome doesn't always like to stay stuck to aluminum.
That's why they didn't come that way.

I suggest you safely pack your original away on a shelf somewhere, and slap on a repop if chrome is what turns you on.

....Cotten

[kitabel]

i piece of new chrome makes everything else on the motor look tired.

[Panhead Ed]

My "48" was ordered with the deluxe chrome package and then in 1959 /60 Scottie "the second owner" added more chrome .. thus making it a real pain in the ass to clean and polish ... many times we sat around and disscussed his choice which he said he would never do again ! ALL BLACK is what he told me his next project would be .. he died in "84" leaving me with the chore of shinning all that chrome ! I absolutely agree with him as every time I prep it for showing I come out of it with hamburger hands !!
Its yours do as you like but take it from me , its a massive pain , riding is way more fun that shinning unless your too old to kik it! in which case you might like all that polishing ...
please find a cover allready plated if you must have bling those old one are getting very hard to find .

[steve_wood]

Wow Ed, she's a looker. Love those trumpet tips.