Originally Posted by
cudak888
partial chrome jobs at the back that terminate halfway down the chainstay. No function at all -
the forward section of the chainstay will still be subjected to harsh chainslap:
... if this same machine had a fully-chromed right-side chainstay, then I would consider it functional.
I'd have to disagree on that.
Chainslap on my (unchromed) bikes occurs closer to the drop-out.
The chain would have to be bouncing pretty seriously to hit the paint closer to the chainrings.
I have a '62 & a '73 and both have 1/2 chrome stays.
There are no chips on the forward paint/decal sections.
The rear deraileur wire might also help some with deflecting the chain, as they are both routed on top of the stay.