I have a 2004 FLHTCUI with 1200 miles on it and just got it back from the dealer from getting all new brakes installed including rotors and bads. The calipers were ok. Here is what happened. I rode on New Years day for the annual Polar Bear Ride and got caught in the rain on the way home. I rode in the rain for about 20 minutes or less and then pulled it into the garage. It rained for the next 6 days and then the following Saturday Jan 8th, I pushed it out of the garage for a bath. The brake pads were rusted to the rotors and I could not move the bike. After rocking it back and forth until I finally got it free, I was able to roll it out and give it the wash it needed. I could not believe it but the rotors were pitted where the pads sat on the rotors and that made we very weary about riding it. I pulled it into the garage and took the front wheel off and then tried to clean up the rotors. I got them clean but the pits were too deep for me. I took them to the dealer and they told me that they were not usable. I went to the parts counter to buy new rotors and when the parts manager saw the rotor, she could not believe that these were off a 2004 Ultra. She worked her magic and Harley came and picked up the bike, replaced the brakes for me at no charge and no labor and then completed the 100 miles service. They made a believer out of me, that Harley Davidson cares about their customers and will go to all ends to make us happy. There was a major ice storm here in Memphis during the Christmas holidays and the salt they put on the roads is still there even though the roads are dry. Getting caught in the rain made the salt come alive and it started a major corrosion of the bike. Hope you all get the idea that if you get caught in the rain while you are riding, make sure you at least rinse the bike off before you put it away. Email me if you have had a smiliar experience of at least have some ideas to prevent it form happening in the future.

 

Dang..makes ya think..Now I'm going to inspect mine right after I get off the net...usually, I wash it after every rain ride, even before I get out of my rain gear! (as long as I'm home that is!) ...to dry it..I use my heavy duty craftsman shop vac..in the revers blower mode...to get every nook and cranny dry...by reading this, I will definately focus on the pads from now on..especially since they've gone salt crazy here too...Glad to hear the HD backed you up on that one! could've cost a bundle...especially if that bundle could be for chrome!

 

Man, that is wild! When I first read the headline I thought it said "dust" not "RUST"! I'm glad we don't use salt down here, but, we DO use sand, which has hazards of it's own.[:-]

 

Wow,

I'm very happy to hear that your dealership took care of you. Good things come to good people...

I would have done exactly what you did, pulled it in the garage and waited for a better opportunity to wash...good advice, to rinse the bike. Now we all know...

Mac

 

I have an 01 FLHTCUI, and as mentioned in another thread, I have had poor performance with specifically my rear brakes. They just don't last for me. If you remember tell me when you change yours so I can see if it's just my bike.

Thanks.