Triumphrat

03-20-2005, 09:09 PM

I've somehow gotten interested in Triumphs and am now looking for a used Thunderbird at a decent price (would be my first Triumph). Stopped by to see a 2002 for sale locally and was surprised to see the chrome on the engine covers was blistering in several places. Otherwise the bike looked clean/good. Is the problem with the chrome common on the TBs/Triumphs ? If so, anyone know how quickly it deteriorates once it starts to separate from the base metal ?

Steve

[ This message was edited by: ashokanman on 2005-03-20 19:55 ]

Beemie · 03-20-2005, 11:16 PM

I haven't thought about blistering chrome since I put my '56 Chevy to rest in 1968.

Wombat · 03-21-2005, 12:43 AM

Not long after I purchased my TBS last year, I noticed that the chrome on the rear fender brackets was peeling.

I had them both replaced under warranty, and a year later they are still fine.

The chrome on my headlight brackets are also peeling, but I intend getting those replaced closer to the end of the warranty period.

It is only the chrome over aluminium that seems to be affected.

Bob

Slinky · 03-21-2005, 03:46 AM

You could always look out for a Tbird with unchromed covers- they look better anyway (IMHO).

As Bob says, Chrome over aluminium is the problem. It is a difficult thing to get right and it is a problem common to all manufacturers not just Triumph.

Another option would be to buy the bike and get the covers de-chromed and polished further down the line.

oldgit · 03-21-2005, 05:27 AM

I had a whole load of chromed stuff replaced under warrantee. Not the best finished kit I've come across.

Cuppa500 · 03-21-2005, 05:44 AM

My '99 T'bird has the chrome engine covers. No blistering peeling at all. The rear fender brackets are a different story, as noted above. My bike's covered 40+k in conditions from 46deg.C to snow blizzards & I've really been quite impressed with how well the finish has held up. Really apart from the fender brackets chrome blistering, & a little surface rust on a couple of the fasteners on the head, everything else is good. My bike was the first model to use powdercoating on the motor, & when I bought the bike I wondered how durable it would be over time Still looks as good as new. Admittedly we don't get salt put on our roads. :-) so I can't comment on the effect that may have.
regards
Cuppa

03-21-2005, 10:03 PM

Thanks for all the great input. Not surprised that chrome on aluminum can be tricky. Now if I can just find that TB with the black TBS engine :razz: . Seriously though, at least when chrome peals off aluminum you're not looking at rust. If anyone knows of a reasonable deal on a low mileage TB in the NY area (within 200 miles of Kingston), I'm in the market (and regularly scanning the classifieds)...

Steve