Triumphrat

Hi, all. I waited outside today for my express mail delivery of my "chromed" radiator stoneguard for my 2000 Legend (yes, the United States Postal Service does deliver express mail on Sunday and on holidays!). Coincidentally, postman arrived while I was standing near my bike.

What follows below is the pertinent part of an e-mail that I just sent to the dealer from which I ordered the part. Oh, yeah: "Caveat Emptor," is a Latin term that was very popular in the British Isles a couple of hundred years ago. In English, it means, "buyer beware." I thought that Triumph was into to retro and nostalgia, but didn't realize that they'd take it this far.

"I am passing on for your interest and with the suggestion that you forward to Triumph.

To sum up: I was astonished! All of the many Triumph "chromed' accessories that I earlier purchased were either chrome or chrome plated metal. The "chromed" stoneguard was neither chrome nor chrome plated metal, but instead was all plastic. I found this odd given that the ad and price for the stoneguard were identical to the "chromed" radiator end caps, the latter of which were chrome plated metal. Indeed, if you look at the photo of the stoneguard on your web site, there is the yellowish appearance that I believe is characteristic of chrome plated metal rather than chromized plastic.

I found the plastic stoneguard to be inconsistent with the quality and character of this bike, and am of the opinion that Triumph's ad was disingenuous. In the USA, "chromed" is defined to mean, "to plate with chromium." Plastic that looks like chrome is described as "chromized PLASTIC," not as "chromed."

When I was debating the purchase, I posed a couple of questions to you, and I appreciate your diligence in timely responding prior to my purchase. In my wildest dreams it never would have occurred to me to ask whether the piece was plastic or metal. I recommend that Triumph differentiate in its ads between "chromed" and "chromized plastic."

Oh, yeah: Price plus shipping and handling: Not sure of exact conversion of pounds to dollars. Figure between $75 and $100 for a piece of plastic of a kind that I used to buy in model kits for under $5.00! Like I said: Caveat Emptor....Jerry
....Jerry

Yes, plastic it is! And $ 70+ is way too high! Ah well....

If it's any consolation - it seems to be durable. I have had mine on for two full years, and the `plating' seems to be of good quality.

It's the devil to clean, by the way! Little water spots remain. Haven't tried putting it in the dishwasher yet ....

Colin :-D

Shawn

My bike came with the same stoneguard, even though it seems cheap I doubt it will be much trouble for you.

The Outrigger finishers on my frame are chromed plastic as well. Put them on in late '99 and haven't had any problems.

Look at it this way, it saves a few pounds :-D

__________________
Shawn
TriumphRat.Net

Thanks for the consolation.

Last year, when I was trying to touch up my fuel cap, I bought some a can of "chrome" spray paint. Plenty left over. Had I realized that the chromed stoneguard was plastic, I simply would have chrome sprayed the old one.

Bikers are "in to" their bikes. A non-biker wouldn't understand how we react to what would appear to be minor flaws. When we go out and spend our cash on accessories, especially ones designed to dress up the appearance, we expect to get the real McCoy. In this case, to me, it meant a heavy weight piece of chromed metal.

Yeah, I figure that it will hold up reasonably well, as the original (two year old) non-chromed stoneguard also is plastic and remains in good condition. And the "chromed" one does "look" nice--if one overlooks the pits and burrs and other imperfections typical of molded plastic. However, a lot of the bike experience is psychological. It bothers me to know that I just put a piece of chromized plastic on a bike that otherwise is the genuine article. The fenders are metal, the side panels are metal, the luggage rack and sissy bar are metal, and even the horn cover is metal. Only the stoneguard is plastic. Metal is more durable and more stone resistant than plastic, and I wanted something that would last a long time.

I'm debating whether to put the old stoneguard back on the bike. It's black and doesn't call attention to itself. Most of all, it doesn't pretend to be anything other than plastic.

....Jerry

Well, the dealer from which I purchased the "radiator guard - chrome" promptly forwarded my message to Triumph, and Triumph promptly replied. They assured me that the radiator guard was not merely chrome colored plastic, but truly was chrome plated plastic! I'm not quite sure how to react to that. Either way, I suggested to them that they change their accessories page to specify which items are chrome plated metal and which are chrome "plated" plastic. I remain very impressed nonetheless with how responsive Triumph and the dealer (Jack Lilley) were....Jerry

Your last post is encouraging - Triumph still has time to deal `personally' with issues. Good to hear!

As regards the part - you'll get used to it. I did the same with my chrome extras for the radiator for about the 1st 3 months - various combinations went on the bike, then off again. However, now that I've gotten used to it, I think it the bike looks much better for it.

Hi, Colin. I park my bike near where I work, and must have visited it about four times to look at the chrome radiator guard. Just as I started to get used to it, my eyes focussed on a spur of plastic, er I mean chrome, sticking out right on the front of the guard. I started to pick it off, but then stopped, realizing that if I went too far, I'd be looking at a piece of dechromed black plastic....Jerry

You SO don't like this plastic thing!

Mine also has some minor imperfections, and it does grate a bit - given the cost. However, if it is a bad spur - take it back - the dealer would likely swap it out.

Look at the bright side, Jerry - it won't rust!

Colin

Shawn

You might get Jack Lilley to get you a special deal on some of the other cool stuff they have!

__________________
Shawn
TriumphRat.Net

Hi, Colin, Shawn.

I took a couple of deep breaths and decided that I would learn to live with it.

I did do some "research" on so-called "chrome plated plastic." Many of the uses are automotive, and found one site that touted a new "high impact," light weight, durable chrome plated plastic as a substitute for chrome plated metal, including one use as a front end grill, much like the radiator stoneguard. In fact, if the site was to be believed, Ford liked it so much that they apparently are now using chrome plated plastic door handles on their Lincoln Town Cars!

I don't know whether Triumph's chrome plated plastic stoneguard is of the high-impact variety and is as durable as chrome plated door handles. In any event, I'm sure that it will last as long as I own the bike (fingers crossed).....Jerry