Hello, first time posting, first time rider.
I purchased a new '17 48 a couple of months ago and have ridden it just shy of 200 miles.
The other day I noticed something odd on the aluminum head.
It looks like the material in one of the corners has suffered some kind of damage



Is this normal or should I be concerned? This caught my eye because it only happened in one corner. The rest of the head is smooth as is the other head.

Thanks!

 

looks like the chrome is shot. its not damaged, but wasnt done properly at the factory. Go see your dealer.

 

If you're planning on having your dealer do the first service I'd swing by and let them have a look at it so they'll have the part in stock when you go in for the service.

 

Agree, Dealer owes you a new head.

 

yea it looks like the head put er on er.... said crap this is bad..... but what the hell it is friday and almost quitting time.... it will do let customer service take care of it.... looks like the piece was not degreased properly.....

 

Bad chrome job on the valve cover, dealer will put a new one on.
It's NOT the head, just the valve cover, easy to replace.

 

The valve covers appear to be polished alloy not chromed steel. Probably clear coated after the polishing. Could be a bad clear coating, or it could be bad maintenance. If the bike is stored in a closed area where there are any corrosives, could be the cause. If the bike was ridden where any salted roads are located and then not properly cleaned before being put away, likewise. Where is the bike stored?

 

How many keys are on your key ring?

That looks to be the front cylinder and the ignition switch would be close.
Could your keys on your ring have been hitting the rocker cover as you rode?

 

Technically you are absolutely right, but that AIN'T chrome...

 

Looks to be aluminum, either as stated, keys hitting, do you have one of the long tethers on your keys? At most bike key, FOB and possibly house key on a small ring. Or a corrosive has come in contact can even be airborne but would be more wide spread, aluminum and corrosives do not play well together, many find this out either from stored pool chemicals or fertilizer, or as my Son learned not waiting till the road salt was washed away and ate the heck out of his cases. Chrome resists better than the aluminum.