i added some chrome to my rk, i guess the side and top of tranny, my question is...will the chrome peices hold more engine heat? make it run hotter?

 

No.

 

Good question. I really don't know but I would have to guess the above is correct - no.

 

not to be a dick, but why no ? how bout a little explaination

 

I have wondered the same, since the cover would have a slight air space between it and the surface that it covered and dead air is an effective insulator. However, many members have had the chrome engine covers on for extended periods of time and many thousands of miles with out any apparent ill effects. So I would guess that any effects that they would generate would be negligible.

Arcane

 

by what i understand the chrome lets the heat out. where black holds it in. how or why i dont know it is just what i heard.

 

I have always thought the same,holds heat,just like with the regulator cover,also the bag fillers,seems like it would slow the brake from cooling down with the restricted flow.

 

Actually I think it would make it hotter. From Thermdynamics class and Heat transfer class, the black color will have a higher Emissivity rating and therefore radiate more heat from the engine. I doubt it is terribly noticeable in this instancethough.

 

Bare aluminum with a rough finish(sandblasted) is ideal for thermal dissipation. Any paint, pcoat or chrome will hold more heat in. For practical purposes(corrosion) the thinner and flatter the finish(more surface area) the better. Good chrome tends to seal in heat and powdercoat is thick, neither is ideal. Color doesn't affect heat retention. Black absorbs heat from outside sources(sun) but does allow heat to flow from inside to out. Krinkle finishes are rough, which helps, but tend to be thick, which doesn't.
Have spent enough time in thermal labs to have seen these results first hand. Racers not being into cosmetics as much, run raw aluminum engines for the above reasons.
All that being said, the difference is not great enough to affect street engines to a great degree. Chrome won't cool your engine, but hell, it might get you laid!

 

Why worry.... Mounds of chrome has been added to millions ofHarleys since the day they rolled off the line.... I am justnot understanding the worry of chrome and heat. Ok justmaybe, chrome runs hotter when hit by the sun. The real question I have is would youremove itwhenit isproven torun a little hotter? I guess am justoffering, it justseems a veryridiculous worry. So why all theworry?

Is it me, or do people love to just to worry about everything with a bike that isbuilt like a tank, and not a China cabinet.....