Hi the 1200xlcb forks are showing initial signs of corrosion is there any easy fit good looking protectors about to stop it getting any worse.
its only 2 years old and dealer warranty expired
these are alloy with a clear coating which is rubbish.

 

2 years old? I'd contact the MOCO yourself, you never know they might just authorize replacement, squeaky wheel gets the grease you know.

 

You should try living on the beach like I do. The front sliders got corroded within a year as did the cases. They spray clear coat over bare aluminum, small rocks from the road pierce the finish, spiderweb corrosion sets in. I just painted my sliders with black hammer paint and be done with it. Just rough sand and paint, easy peasy. I'd go nuts if I tried to stress out about spiderweb corrosion. I just call it "patina" now and accept my bike is almost 29 years old. Probably held up better than me over those years.

I very much doubt the MOCO will do a thing about it. Like Neil Young says, "Rust never sleeps!"

John

 

Front fork sliders have been this way for at least 45 years. Once a stone chips the lacquer, corrosion.

All you can do now is rub it down with varying grades of paper to get a nice uniform finish and re lacquer or get it painted or powder coated.

My bike is coming up to 2 years old and around the top of the slider where the chrome cover is are signs that the lacquer has failed.

 

Yep. Another thing is aluminum wheels, cars n trucks too. I've seen fairly new ones go to hell quickly. I think your better off with chrome wheels on a truck, easier to take care of.

 

I acquired an 80 FLT which had front forks in horrible shape. Took fine steel wool and about an hour per sider then rattle can clear coat and they look great. Aluminum is very easy to refinish.

 

Is it worth covering them with a protector/sleeve ?

 

It's up to you. No one else really notices (or cares) about the corrosion except you most likely. I was just like that too, at first, as I'm very OCD and meticulous. After while, it's just part of the bike's character and life. I don't really even notice mine anymore, I'm just used to it which even surprised me. Enjoy growing old with your bike.

John

 

I live at the beach and my forks lead a very difficult life. I keep a coat of wax on everything that faces forward with emphasis on the forks.

As a side note I use a product called Sharkhide on my older bikes’s forks and my marine applications. It’s a great product that was intended for metal surfaces in saltwater boats.

http://sharkhide.com/mpinfo.html

 

Mine started showing signs of this last summer, and the warranty is up in July of this year. Had the dealer look at it late last summer, he said to let it ride as I had about 10 months left in the warranty and to let him look at it again before the warranty runs out. There is no way a rock etc... could have caused this because of where it is located. I'll take it back in to have him look at it sometime in June. He didn't argue it was a problem with the finish, but in his opinion it would have to be more serious before the MoCo would possibly cover it. We'll see... If not, a piece of the grey fine ScothBrite and clear coat will be my fix.