Torque and Chrome

How quickly will a black chrome exhaust rust? (motorcycle)?

I need a new collector box for my st1100 and the end cans could do with replacing so I decided it would be cheaper to buy a whole new system. I found a good deal but the end cans are black chrome and I heard that these rust. Anyone know the life expectancy of one of these things compared to alternatives?

Public Comments

1. as long as you take care of it on a regular basis they will be fine.
2. There is no easy answer to this. If it is a top qulaity item, with good chrome on high quality steel, with excellent welds etc then with good care it will last for a while. If it is not then it very simply won't. Chrome plating is not just a decorative finish it is also protects the steel underneath but exhausts have moisture from the inside and when you stop the engine the moisture condenses and will start to rust a steel exhaust from the inside out as well. If corrosion is a real worry then things like stainless, carbon, titanium and so on are the only answers for rest assured trouble free worry in the long term.
3. the answer to this depends on how much wet weather riding you do, and how often you clean the bike. good quality black chrome is no better or worse than standard chrome.
4. Don't start me off! Bikes that are accepted as rusting too badly for winter use, mild steel downpipes, calipers that stick, 100 bhp bikes that do less to the gallon than a Mondeo and people are impressed with their design? What a lot of rubbish! Where is the engineering?
5. hi i had a honda vt500e and the black crome exaust used to rust from the inside out! problem is nothing lasts for ever if using in winter make sure you clean all the road salt off!
6. It will rust no quicker than any other type of low carbon steel. If rust is a real consideration and you don't want to costantly worry about keeping youe bike clean. I would recommend stainless exhaust with stainless or carbon fiber cans