Florida Chrome Problems...
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2007
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Florida Chrome Problems...
I’ll try and make a long story short…Like you’ve never heard that before but I’ll give it a shot!
April of 07 wife decides she wants a different bike, decides she wants a Deluxe.
We’re both from Iowa, but her parents stay in Sarasota, Florida now.
At some point the local dealer or somebody auctioned, raffled or gave away a 2006 Deluxe with all the bags and some other extras. The winner put 900 miles on it then decided they didn’t want to keep it, and traded it in for a car at a local dealership.
So that is where in-laws came across it, told us about it and we ended up buying it and having it shipped up here. Beautiful Bike, great price.
It arrived here with 991 miles on it and when we unloaded it the lower forks (Not chrome) looked like had a couple chips in them or something had rubbed against them while in transport. Since I already planned on getting the lower fork skins chromed eventually I didn’t worry about it.
Took it into my dealer for the 1000 mile service and to have them look it over in case I was missing something. Said it looked great and I had a good deal.
In the meantime…I’ve dropped the rear about 2 ¼ inches, added a lot more chrome, put the stage one on, piped it, changed rear light and license plate and took off all bags and made it a solo seater. Damn good looking Deluxe!
Anyways while detailing and cleaning it up thru the summer and fall noticed some little “bubble like” pits on the front rim and even on the rear. Looked to me like dirty metal that wasn’t prepped very good prior to chrome plating. The chrome wasn’t cracked or peeling anywhere.
Mentioned it to my Service Rep one day and he said he’d like to have bike here when factory rep was here and have him look at it. So we decided sometime over the winter since warranty was up in May 2008.
So between snowstorms rep was to be there and I didn’t have time to get complete bike up there so I just dropped off the front rim.
Forgot to mention that this dealer is “Super Cool” and has gotta be one of the best in the country. But in the meantime this Service Rep (That knew the whole story) got transfered to the other store , but this new guy is just as good just not as familiar with the story.
So when I brought in the front rim the local reps find a lot more and bigger spots that are bubbled. Still none are cracked or peeling.
Factory rep shows up, looks at rim says bike been to Florida got salt on it or something, nothing he can do about it. Still don’t forget ONLY 991 miles on it.
Factory rep now wants to see all of bike because he says it’s probably all over it.
The wife rode it up there yesterday since I’m off on knee surgery so probably won’t be there when he shows next Wednsday.
I figure that must be what is on the forks than.
Seems to me it’s bad metal prep, metal, cheap work again with only 900 miles! I don’t know!
What do you Floridians do to prevent this crap
Whats been the practice down there on this type of crap.
Sorry for taking so long just need to get some answers or suggestions.
Thanks
April of 07 wife decides she wants a different bike, decides she wants a Deluxe.
We’re both from Iowa, but her parents stay in Sarasota, Florida now.
At some point the local dealer or somebody auctioned, raffled or gave away a 2006 Deluxe with all the bags and some other extras. The winner put 900 miles on it then decided they didn’t want to keep it, and traded it in for a car at a local dealership.
So that is where in-laws came across it, told us about it and we ended up buying it and having it shipped up here. Beautiful Bike, great price.
It arrived here with 991 miles on it and when we unloaded it the lower forks (Not chrome) looked like had a couple chips in them or something had rubbed against them while in transport. Since I already planned on getting the lower fork skins chromed eventually I didn’t worry about it.
Took it into my dealer for the 1000 mile service and to have them look it over in case I was missing something. Said it looked great and I had a good deal.
In the meantime…I’ve dropped the rear about 2 ¼ inches, added a lot more chrome, put the stage one on, piped it, changed rear light and license plate and took off all bags and made it a solo seater. Damn good looking Deluxe!
Anyways while detailing and cleaning it up thru the summer and fall noticed some little “bubble like” pits on the front rim and even on the rear. Looked to me like dirty metal that wasn’t prepped very good prior to chrome plating. The chrome wasn’t cracked or peeling anywhere.
Mentioned it to my Service Rep one day and he said he’d like to have bike here when factory rep was here and have him look at it. So we decided sometime over the winter since warranty was up in May 2008.
So between snowstorms rep was to be there and I didn’t have time to get complete bike up there so I just dropped off the front rim.
Forgot to mention that this dealer is “Super Cool” and has gotta be one of the best in the country. But in the meantime this Service Rep (That knew the whole story) got transfered to the other store , but this new guy is just as good just not as familiar with the story.
So when I brought in the front rim the local reps find a lot more and bigger spots that are bubbled. Still none are cracked or peeling.
Factory rep shows up, looks at rim says bike been to Florida got salt on it or something, nothing he can do about it. Still don’t forget ONLY 991 miles on it.
Factory rep now wants to see all of bike because he says it’s probably all over it.
The wife rode it up there yesterday since I’m off on knee surgery so probably won’t be there when he shows next Wednsday.
I figure that must be what is on the forks than.
Seems to me it’s bad metal prep, metal, cheap work again with only 900 miles! I don’t know!
What do you Floridians do to prevent this crap
Whats been the practice down there on this type of crap.
Sorry for taking so long just need to get some answers or suggestions.
Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 1
From: Lake Jem FL (pop 35)
RE: Florida Chrome Problems...
My bike is 25 years old and some of the chrome is almost that old...... I have a few spots of "bubbles" om some of the oldest chrome, but nothing on anything that has been on the bike less than five years...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 0
From: clearwater, fl
RE: Florida Chrome Problems...
not unless they rode the bike on the beach in the water. i think its a factory problem. had bike for over a year now and no issues with what you are having. just under 10k
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Florida Chrome Problems...
Not a right answer to it. The inside of most of my alan fastener inserts are rusting. My spoked wheels look like crap and I don't wash and wax it like I should. I live in a city on the coast and there's no avoiding the salty air. I don't have any bubbles or the like though.
Basically, if the chrome and aluminum isn't taken care of both bug guts and salty air can make little dings turn into big rust spots. When I clean it I polish it with Pledge and hope it protects it enough week to week.
Basically, if the chrome and aluminum isn't taken care of both bug guts and salty air can make little dings turn into big rust spots. When I clean it I polish it with Pledge and hope it protects it enough week to week.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,523
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
RE: Florida Chrome Problems...
I have had several harleys and I lived in florida for 26 years so far and have not experienced any of that on any of my scoots, the only thing I have noticed is with the stock front end the lowers get real ugly but I usually do a chrome front end on mine, no issues I do clean the bike everytime I ride it near the beacheither the same day or the next. Maybe the bike sat a long time near the beach or something.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
RE: Florida Chrome Problems...
I have had my standard since 2005 and have not experienced any chrome problems. Like any where else, just wash and wax. I have not heard of any of my friendswith anyproblems with thier chrome either. Like you mentioned, sounds like bad prep to me!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Florida Chrome Problems...
If the bike had been ridden/kept anywhere near the beach that could possibly be the problem. I lived in San Diego for about 17 years and even though we lived 5 miles from the beach I rode there often and I always had similar problems because of salt in the air.
The fact the bike only had 900 miles on it has little to do with the problem. It's how long the salt was left to set on the bike and not how many miles were on the bike.
The fact the bike only had 900 miles on it has little to do with the problem. It's how long the salt was left to set on the bike and not how many miles were on the bike.
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 22
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From:
RE: Florida Chrome Problems...
Appreciate the replies. I think it's factory problem. Bike was clean when I got it and I've kept it clean. Just don't understand there b.s. with less then 1000 Florida miles.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
RE: Florida Chrome Problems...
None of that should happen with 991 miles. I live near Daytona Beach and ride on state road A1A, bug guts (Lovebugs) will eat your paint, but to bubble and blister chrome? Nah.
Inside of Allen/Hex head bolts corrode......salt will rust metal, you have another problem
I think.
If the bike was ridden on a salt water beach (for publicity photos maybe?).......you would have more areas of corrosion than wheels and allen heads.
But if the bike was stored outdoors since 2006 or something.....things can happen.
Inside of Allen/Hex head bolts corrode......salt will rust metal, you have another problem
I think.
If the bike was ridden on a salt water beach (for publicity photos maybe?).......you would have more areas of corrosion than wheels and allen heads.
But if the bike was stored outdoors since 2006 or something.....things can happen.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Florida Chrome Problems...
ORIGINAL: IaSoftailRider
Appreciate the replies. I think it's factory problem. Bike was clean when I got it and I've kept it clean. Just don't understand there b.s. with less then 1000 Florida miles.
Appreciate the replies. I think it's factory problem. Bike was clean when I got it and I've kept it clean. Just don't understand there b.s. with less then 1000 Florida miles.