Corrosion Resistance Enhancement.
Nickel is a metal highly effective at resisting corrosion. Motorcycle components exposed to the elements (such as exhaust systems, rims, or sprockets) are very susceptible to rust. The nickel layer acts as a protective shield, preventing the base metal (e.g., carbon steel) from direct contact with air and moisture.
Aesthetic Improvement.
Nickel provides a shiny and attractive finish. In many cases, the nickel plating serves as a primary layer (primer) before chrome plating is applied on top of it. This nickel-chrome combination results in the highly reflective, polished finish popular for components like exhausts, wheel rims, and decorative accessories.
Increased Hardness and Wear Resistance.
The nickel layer adds hardness to the component’s surface, which is important for parts subjected to friction, such as sprockets or other moving parts. This increases the component’s durability against wear (abrasion).
Improved Adhesion for Subsequent Coatings.
In double plating processes (such as nickel-chrome), nickel functions as an excellent intermediate layer to ensure that the chrome coating on top adheres strongly and evenly to the base metal.