When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 2015 Softail Breakout FXSB with the Silver Trump Hard Candy Custom paint job. I purchased the bike brand new straight from the showroom floor. I have less than 13000 miles on her and it has always been babied. I always keep her clean and garaged. Recently my baby stared pissing fuel out from what I thought was a loose crossover hose. I noticed that there are visible bubbles underneath my paint in the area where the fuel was pouring out from. Further investigation revealed that there are actually rust holes in my fuel tank. Bike is 3 years old and somehow developed rust under the paint to the point that my fuel is leaking out like Niagra Falls! Has anyone seen something like this? I have the extended warranty, however they will not cover rust and corrosion. I spoke with corporate office and nothing seems to be happening. Local Harley mechanic said its definitely a manufacturing defect and he has never seen anything like this. My issue is that I am stationed in Germany so US Harley & Europe Harley are going back and fourth about whos responsible for repair. I am so sad right now because I just want to ride my baby!
Last edited by andrew.mercado25; Aug 14, 2018 at 01:06 PM.
Don't approach it from a rust point of view. It's a freakin safety hazard, plus the bike is only three years old. Honestly, I've never heard of this happening and it's definetly a manufacturing problem.
Never seen that before and like Pitbull_Dallas said it is a major safety hazard, let them give you a replacement fuel tank in the meanwhile.
This is def a manufacturing problem !
Thats not a paint defect. Thats rust through, likely from the inside. Was there water in the fuel tank? Was the bike in storage for a time with the tank drained and some residual moisture present?
Thats not a paint defect. Thats rust through, likely from the inside. Was there water in the fuel tank? Was the bike in storage for a time with the tank drained and some residual moisture present?
Bike has never been stored since I bought it besides a few months during the winter. I always fill it up after each ride so it always has a full tank of premium fuel. During the winter it stays in my garage which is temperature controlled. I have never had such an issue with any bike Ive ever owned up until now. Crazy that it was the 3 year old, $20K bike that has an issue like this.
We coat metal roofs with an Elastomeric thick rubber coating. If you get a pinhole in the coating moisture will enter and begin to rust under the coating unseen. I am willing to bet there was a pinhole in the paint allowing moisture infiltration and it began to rust. As some have said that would be a manufacturing defect.
They did go over the bike at delivery ..(.no scratches).Thanks for the replys, I realize now a new fuel tank is not such a big deal (to the dealer), so if that's what it takes to get back to delivery condition, so be it. I certainly agree the tech should be held responsible for being so damn careless.
They did go over the bike at delivery ..(.no scratches).Thanks for the replys, I realize now a new fuel tank is not such a big deal (to the dealer), so if that's what it takes to get back to delivery condition, so be it. I certainly agree the tech should be held responsible for being so damn careless.
O.P. made two postings during his short time here and hasn't been back ... Doubt he'll be replying
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Manufacturer Paint Defect
