Looking to add some chrome to my 04 softail standard. Want to replace my gray primary cover, cam cover, lifter blocks and valve covers. My question is, should I go with Genuine HD parts, drag specialty or J&P. Who has the best quality parts?

 

Actual Genuine Harley chrome is very good. I'm talking about the chrome that comes on the bike from the factory. You can tell good chrome from the cheap crap by turning off all the lights and shining a flashlight onto the chrome. Good chrome will look blue under the flashlight, crappy chrome will look brown. Even though they may both look good to the naked eye under normal lighting. Guess which one will last much longer. I gotta wonder how good that Chinese chrome crap stuff hanging in the dealerships really is.

 

I can almost bet they are all off shore vendors. HD=$$, I went with Drag Specialties years ago for a primary cover, still shiny. Maybe J&P for the smaller items.

 

 

 

I took all my bare covers to a trusted Plater. It's all in the prep work. He buffs the **** out of it, and the actual Plater uses copper flash to fill the tiny voids that occur in cast aluminum, and a decent thickness of chrome to finish.
Some of the nicest chrome on my Shovel was done YEARS ago.
Not much cheaper than buying the finished part off the shelf, but still cheaper...and much better.
Biggest factor is time. The process is not quick. Good winter-time project.

 

Finding a plater now days is like finding a unicorn...most have been forced out of business by regulations...the ones that are left are usually booked 6-8 months out.

 

Which is precisely why, looking OUTSIDE the USA for plating may give superior results.
Thank the EPA for this (amongst many others.)

 

 

I had purchased from all three and so far no problems.