ACE50 Posted March 12, 2012 Share #1 Posted March 12, 2012 2006. Is just black a midnight model or other things different? Mine has chrome forks and was wondering. There is about a $900 different in KBB also between the 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M61A1MECH Posted March 12, 2012 Share #2 Posted March 12, 2012 Pretty much that is it, all Midnights come from the factory black and with additional chrome, like the front fork tubes, risers (maybe), clutch and brake master cyclinders and levers are chromed, on the Venture the filler panel in the saddle bag hinge says Midnight instead of Venture , I am not sure about the RSTD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted March 12, 2012 Share #3 Posted March 12, 2012 The "Midnight" ones are more powerful and therefore faster than all the others. While at a standstill, this comparison cannot be seen. Once moving, it is obvious because you'll always be looking at the back end of the Midnight ones as they rapidly disappear from view.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyR Posted March 12, 2012 Share #4 Posted March 12, 2012 There have usually been 2 models of RSV and RSTD each year. A 'regular' and an 'S' model. The S model has had some additional chrome and will be more expensive. I believe the black Midnights have always been that year's S model. Sometimes with chrome studs around the seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACE50 Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted March 12, 2012 The "Midnight" ones are more powerful and therefore faster than all the others. While at a standstill, this comparison cannot be seen. Once moving, it is obvious because you'll always be looking at the back end of the Midnight ones as they rapidly disappear from view.... After riding mine, I suspect this to be TRUE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakester Posted March 12, 2012 Share #6 Posted March 12, 2012 Everybody should know chrome is for improved safety--ie." safety chrome" This is what I tell my spouse to justify shiney accessories. Yamaha validated this with the Midnight version. We all know chrome does make anything faster. Thus the midnight is a safer and faster bike --- thus the price diffrence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave77459 Posted March 12, 2012 Share #7 Posted March 12, 2012 The midnights also come with a blacked out engine. I believe the difference is trim levels and colors. I thought all RSTDs had chromed front ends? I would ascribe the difference in KBB value to desirability; those things that are more desirable cost more. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSTDdog Posted March 12, 2012 Share #8 Posted March 12, 2012 As stated before Midnights have the Chrome Forks. Also chrome covers over the valve cover and some other chrome bits. The Midnight RSTDs ( and Venture's) were Raven black metallic. S designation Ventures and RSTDs (there are S model RSTDs that aren't black) have Chrome forks and extra chrome bits. All others have brushed finish on the fork covers and legs. Other Midnight differences include the spokes on the front wheel (that you can't really see behind the brake discs ) and the rest of the wheel except for the polished lip are black. Same for the rear wheel. My midnight does not have "chrome plated " master cylinders for the brake or clutch or "chrome plated " levers. The master cylinders do seem a bit more polished in appearance thn normal with a clear coat over them and the handles are polished with no clear on them so you have stay after them to keep them really shiny. They are not "Chrome plated" like you see onthe Stratoliner S and Roadliner S models. I'd like to have those Master Cylinders on my RSTD. Probably some other differences. RSTDdog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted March 12, 2012 Share #9 Posted March 12, 2012 The handlebar electrics housings are chromed on the Midnight ... not the clutch/brake reservoirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSTDdog Posted March 12, 2012 Share #10 Posted March 12, 2012 The handlebar electrics housings are chromed on the Midnight ... not the clutch/brake reservoirs. I forgot about the switchgear being chrome . The fact those are Chrome actually makes it more noticable that the brake and clutch master cylinder aren't. Goofy since S and midnight models of the ROad Star and Stratoliner the master cylinders are chrome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrenchrob Posted March 12, 2012 Share #11 Posted March 12, 2012 The handlebar electrics housings are chromed on the Midnight ... not the clutch/brake reservoirs. On my 03 midnight RSV the switch housings are not chrome. I cannot say if they are original as i purchased it used. M.y 05 midnight RSV are chrome switches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted March 19, 2012 Share #12 Posted March 19, 2012 Why they didn't chrome the resevoirs and levers I'll never know. Seem silly not to since that's all there is that's NOT chromed on the front end. Anyone chromed these or bought replacement chrome pieces? I'll be doing this within the year. Wondering if a chrome plater can just chrome the original parts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSTDdog Posted March 21, 2012 Share #13 Posted March 21, 2012 Wondering if a chrome plater can just chrome the original parts? Yes. And for the Clutch and brake master cylinders that is probably the cheapest option. Your other option is Chrome plated ones from other models, but that is a pricey alternative unless you run across them as salvage parts, and that will be rare since one or the other usually gets damaged in a wreck. RSTDdog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted March 21, 2012 Share #14 Posted March 21, 2012 Yes. And for the Clutch and brake master cylinders that is probably the cheapest option. Your other option is Chrome plated ones from other models, but that is a pricey alternative unless you run across them as salvage parts, and that will be rare since one or the other usually gets damaged in a wreck. RSTDdog I was thinking about pulling mine off and having them chromed....going to get a quote and see what the cost would be...one of these days.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted March 21, 2012 Share #15 Posted March 21, 2012 I was thinking about pulling mine off and having them chromed....going to get a quote and see what the cost would be...one of these days.... Unless I'm mistaken, those reservoirs are aluminum ... Y/N? That being the case, a guy should be able to polish them up real nice ... almost like chrome! I did a bit of polishing on my levers and they came out a lot shinier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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