Late last summer I switched out my Viking bags for the OEM because on the 2005 RK they just look better. I stored the Viking bags in their original storage bags and put them in a cabinet in the garage where I have all my spare bike stuff, including my windshield when not on the bike. This is AZ and I'm already looking to get some riding done so I got out the windshield and found that the chrome had a nice layer of rust fuzz all over it. The windshield itself had picked up a layer of fogging that didn't quite come off. I started pulling out other equipment and the chrome on the Viking bags had rusted also. Not as bad as the windshield. I was standing in front of the cabinet trying to figure out what had caused everything to rust when I noticed a container of chlorine we use on the septic system. Apparently chlorine is a powerful oxidizer so shutting everything up in the cabinet, even though the container of chlorine was closed, prompted the rapid rusting.

The Viking bags cleaned up OK but the windshield hardware was too far gone. I painted the hardware black and I'm now waiting for a new windshield from J&P Cycles.

Lesson learned. Chemical storage away from the bike gear.

 

Deleted after getting the rest of the story.
Always good to learn from someone other than my own mistakes.

 

.....I'm on the edge of my seat.....

 

Leather bags stored in high humidity will get mold/mildew on them also.

 

Sounds like you need a dedicated cabinet for bike stuff only. Maybe one with a desiccant?

 

Same goes for keeping rock salt ( ice salt ) in the area ... a definite no no

 

Or any kind of fertilizer like ammonium phosphate.