It is possible that the Headlight, Driving Lamps, Turn signals, Heated Grips, etc. whatever electrical stuff is mounted to the front of the bike, isn't getting a good ground through the steering head. If so, that will generate a lot of rust/corrosion around the point that IS the best ground for these things. If this is the ONLY place on your bike that seems to be collecting rust/corrosion you might try running a wire from a bolt anywhere on the front of the bike to anywhere on the frame of the bike. Before you do all this work, take any cheap ($5 at Radio Shack is good enough) Digital Volt Meter and place the Red lead on the handle bars and the Black lead on the Negative terminal of the battery and then turn your Headlight, Driving Lights, Heated Grips, etc "On". If you read anything over 0.10 to 0.20 volts, or if the reading changes when you turn these things "On" and "Off" this is your problem . . . run the wire as I've described above. This sort of thing is a really big problem on boats. It's called running a "Redundant Ground."

 

I actually got that idea from right here on the forum. Works great.

 

[QUOTE=handyhoward;7753111]I did not say it was a factory paint problem. I said to take it to the dealer and see what they say. It's an 09 and may still be in warranty.

I have a 09 FLSTC with 9k miles and no problems their. The bolt on mine is cadmium plated.

I am retired now and do a lot of fishing in the Pa. mountains. It rains a lot up there and the bike has seen a lot of rain and even a snow storm in its 9k miles.