To plate or polish my forks...that is the question

[Monsta]

I have the front end of my bike removed due to me replacing the cracked inner fairing & replacing the steering stem bearings (since I'm in there...).

 

My fork lower show the 48K of wear and tear and I'm thinking of either getting them and the shrouds polished or chrome plated.

 

Can someone list the pros and cons of either approach?

 

I'm thinking chroming will cost more but is it more durable and less maintenance intensive than polishing?

[Redneck]

I polished mine but chrome is always nice.

[pegscraper]

Chrome is always nice. But polishing can be done and maintained at home with little cost. I've heard tell that you really only have to wipe them down with metal polish about once a year to maintain the finish, but I really don't know. I haven't done mine yet. I'm putting it off until the factory finish looks really bad. But polishing is probably the way I'll go when the time comes.

[pegscraper]

Chrome is always nice. But polishing can be done and maintained at home with little cost. I've heard tell that you really only have to wipe them down with metal polish about once a year to maintain the finish, but I really don't know. I haven't done mine yet. I'm putting it off until the factory finish looks really bad. But polishing is probably the way I'll go when the time comes.

[GigaWhiskey]

I polished mine, not a whole lot of upkeep. If you have it down perty darn smooth then just a little aluminum polish maybe twice a year. More if you want to keep it spit polished all the time. You might get some bugs or dings along the way. I have had bugs but no dings that I have seen.

 

Just keep some sandpaper around when you need it. I usually take mine down to about 2500grit.

 

I wondered if chroming will hold heat in. And, if it would hold enough in to make any difference.