Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Is this normal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 7, 2017 | 06:36 PM
  #1  
Exegesis's Avatar
Exegesis
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default Is this normal?

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!
 
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2017 | 08:21 PM
  #2  
gar187er's Avatar
gar187er
Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 602
Likes: 8
From: Seattle
Default

looks like the chrome is shot. its not damaged, but wasnt done properly at the factory. Go see your dealer.
 
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2017 | 09:44 PM
  #3  
DaddyKnuck's Avatar
DaddyKnuck
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2017 | 09:46 PM
  #4  
Mr-Mike's Avatar
Mr-Mike
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 981
Likes: 182
From: Fairfax County, VA
Default

Agree, Dealer owes you a new head.
 
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2017 | 09:53 PM
  #5  
jp49's Avatar
jp49
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 470
Likes: 84
From: wisconsin
Default

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.....
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2017 | 12:34 AM
  #6  
Triumph Jerry's Avatar
Triumph Jerry
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 175
Likes: 22
From: Stuart Fl
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2017 | 03:39 AM
  #7  
LoneWoolf's Avatar
LoneWoolf
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 716
From: Pennsyleffinvania
Default

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?
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2017 | 05:07 AM
  #8  
shanneba's Avatar
shanneba
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 443
From: Indianapolis
Default

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?
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 8, 2017 | 05:15 AM
  #9  
Mr-Mike's Avatar
Mr-Mike
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 981
Likes: 182
From: Fairfax County, VA
Default

Originally Posted by Triumph Jerry
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.
Technically you are absolutely right, but that AIN'T chrome...
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2017 | 07:09 AM
  #10  
stereoguy's Avatar
stereoguy
Outstanding HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 550
From: Springfield, IL
Default

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.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:16 AM.

story-0
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE