From a mechanical viewpoint, I would think that chrome would also create less friction on the seals. Might not be significant, but still something to consider. I have chrome tubes on mine and they are very easy to clean and keep clean.
The OP is talking about the slider forks (#23/#25). Not #21.
Get polished if you want to spend time maintaining them. My time is money, so the way I look at is I'll spend the money up front and save a lot of time of polishing when I could be riding.
Get polished if you want to spend time maintaining them. My time is money, so the way I look at is I'll spend the money up front and save a lot of time of polishing when I could be riding.
+1 This is exactly why I had the front chrome installed when I had the chance. Now, a quick detail spray and away I go.
I live a mile from a "salt water monster" (the Pacific) and am always cruising the beach on the bike. The forks on my 1995 Dyna looked ok when new, then the clear coat gave up. Then, it was polish time. The more I polished them, the better they became. Even if the aluminum was neglected a bit and began to oxidize. Mother's always brought them back to "high lustre." And this was after 21 years and a bunch of miles. A bunch. Just traded the bike in on my new FXDL. Everything is shiny on that!
Like Norty, I live near the Ocean. Clear coat was gone on mine and deeply pitted, and rock chipped.
I polished mine by hand, and the shine is damn near chrome.
Once a month, I hit them with some Mothers, or Nevr-dull, and they look great.