2011 WG Rust!
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Bristol uk
2011 WG Rust!
Hi all. Ive got a 2011 Dyna WG which I keep in very clean condition all year round. I took the seat off today to have a look at raising the tank for a good cleaning of rocker covers. I then notice a bit of surface rust where the two pieces of sheet matal meet between the battery box and the shock mount. (Im not sure if the description makes sense)
Im still under warranty with the dealer so I am going to call them in the morning.
Has anyone else had this issue? Ill take pics if needed for a better idea.
Thanks
Im still under warranty with the dealer so I am going to call them in the morning.
Has anyone else had this issue? Ill take pics if needed for a better idea.
Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
I hope you haven't been using a Harley during a British winter? 
Not sure just what they are designed for but they are really, really intolerant of British winters and especially road salt. Leave a Harley for a week with a bit of salt on it and it will have started to rot.
I haven't been out on mine since Christmas and it was spotless when I put it away, even so there was oxidation in loads of places and rust spots in the all the corner and joint places where Harley can't be arsed to put more a dusting of paint.
One thing to check on yours is whether you have a big hole in the rear mudguard behind the spot you are describing. My Fat Bob did. It siphons road water straight into that area and can really mess with the electrics and metal-work there. Filled mine with expanding setting foam but I'd bet there's a neater solution.
For your spot that doesn't usually show I'd clean up the rust with a wire brush and wire wool then brush it with Hammerite primer then paint. Will never trouble you again.
Not sure just what they are designed for but they are really, really intolerant of British winters and especially road salt. Leave a Harley for a week with a bit of salt on it and it will have started to rot.
I haven't been out on mine since Christmas and it was spotless when I put it away, even so there was oxidation in loads of places and rust spots in the all the corner and joint places where Harley can't be arsed to put more a dusting of paint.
One thing to check on yours is whether you have a big hole in the rear mudguard behind the spot you are describing. My Fat Bob did. It siphons road water straight into that area and can really mess with the electrics and metal-work there. Filled mine with expanding setting foam but I'd bet there's a neater solution.
For your spot that doesn't usually show I'd clean up the rust with a wire brush and wire wool then brush it with Hammerite primer then paint. Will never trouble you again.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
As a lead-acid battery charges, it gives off corrosive gasses. Any bare metal around the area will corrode quickly in a damp climate. It is difficult to stop corrosion once it starts without stripping, etching, priming, and repainting. For visible exterior areas, this is the only solution for me. For interior spot treatments like you are describing, I have had good success using Chemprime Rust Inhibitor, which essentially changes surface rust to primer then spot paint. If you can get any par-al-ketone or CRC Soft Seal products over there, they are excellent for sealing out moisture and do a real good job on electrical terminals as well. These are not permanent and can be cleaned and reapplied as needed and are very popular with civil and military aircraft applications.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
Sealed means that you do not service them...but they also still vent and emanate gasses when charging, even trickle charging...it is the nature of the beast.
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Bristol uk
I hope you haven't been using a Harley during a British winter?
Not sure just what they are designed for but they are really, really intolerant of British winters and especially road salt. Leave a Harley for a week with a bit of salt on it and it will have started to rot.
I haven't been out on mine since Christmas and it was spotless when I put it away, even so there was oxidation in loads of places and rust spots in the all the corner and joint places where Harley can't be arsed to put more a dusting of paint.
One thing to check on yours is whether you have a big hole in the rear mudguard behind the spot you are describing. My Fat Bob did. It siphons road water straight into that area and can really mess with the electrics and metal-work there. Filled mine with expanding setting foam but I'd bet there's a neater solution.
For your spot that doesn't usually show I'd clean up the rust with a wire brush and wire wool then brush it with Hammerite primer then paint. Will never trouble you again.
Not sure just what they are designed for but they are really, really intolerant of British winters and especially road salt. Leave a Harley for a week with a bit of salt on it and it will have started to rot.
I haven't been out on mine since Christmas and it was spotless when I put it away, even so there was oxidation in loads of places and rust spots in the all the corner and joint places where Harley can't be arsed to put more a dusting of paint.
One thing to check on yours is whether you have a big hole in the rear mudguard behind the spot you are describing. My Fat Bob did. It siphons road water straight into that area and can really mess with the electrics and metal-work there. Filled mine with expanding setting foam but I'd bet there's a neater solution.
For your spot that doesn't usually show I'd clean up the rust with a wire brush and wire wool then brush it with Hammerite primer then paint. Will never trouble you again.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
There's been a few folks had chunks of paint peeling off newer Harleys. Seems that either they didn't bother priming or they primed over rusty metal. Seen some truly awful mudguards a year old where the paint has fallen off in 6" sheets leaving bare rusty metal.
On my 4 year old bike I've had paint peeling off the frame, the sides of the front mudguard, under the seat. Plus loads of corrosion in odd spots all over the bike.
Definitely been some pretty crappy painting going on at HD recently.
Hopefully you get it sorted under warranty.
On my 4 year old bike I've had paint peeling off the frame, the sides of the front mudguard, under the seat. Plus loads of corrosion in odd spots all over the bike.
Definitely been some pretty crappy painting going on at HD recently.
Hopefully you get it sorted under warranty.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Orkney (North of Scotland)
I put a new back tyre on my 2011 WG last week, the inside of the wheel rim only had a very thin spray of paint over it and there was a line of rust round the rim by the spoke protecter. Perhaps HD are having problems with build quality.