08 streetglide rusting away!
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Joined: Nov 2007
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08 streetglide rusting away!
I recently purchased a 2008 StreetGlide for my son that had sucessufully graduated from MMI Motor Mechanics Institute in Orlando Florida. This motorcycle came off the showroom floor for which I had paid cash for on September 13 from East Orlando Harley Davidson. This bike was gorgeous when my son drove it off the lot. 2 weeks later he noticed it started to
corode on all the powder coating and the wheel bearings were rusting. My son immediatly brought it back to the dealership and showed the service manager what was happening. Their response was an enviromental issue. Which was not a warranty issue and rather neglect. Theywouldhave to contact corporate. He took picture and sent them to Milwalke. The tech at corporate Headquarters said that it was also an enviromental issue and they were not responsible. $28,000.00 later this bike looks like it is 5 years old. Does anybody know what my next step would be becides an attorney?
corode on all the powder coating and the wheel bearings were rusting. My son immediatly brought it back to the dealership and showed the service manager what was happening. Their response was an enviromental issue. Which was not a warranty issue and rather neglect. Theywouldhave to contact corporate. He took picture and sent them to Milwalke. The tech at corporate Headquarters said that it was also an enviromental issue and they were not responsible. $28,000.00 later this bike looks like it is 5 years old. Does anybody know what my next step would be becides an attorney?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 273
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From:
RE: 08 streetglide rusting away!
Could it be something that your son "washed" the bike with? I too have never heard of any "environmental issues" that would cause a bike to deterierate the way you are describing your sons bike. How about taking it to some of the local motorcyle dealers, or independents and ask their opinion. Harley obviously isn't going to admit to any issues, however someone else might be able to explain it. If it is then determined that it is a Harley Issues...picket the dealership. Take the bike, park it across the street and make some noise over the issue. Get those opinions from the other bike places in writing if possible. All of your efforts should be of course peaceful.
If all else fails, time to get an attorney.
Good luck.
DanB
If all else fails, time to get an attorney.
Good luck.
DanB
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,542
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From: Cocoa Beach, Florida
RE: 08 streetglide rusting away!
I live direct ocean-front, due east of him,park outside at work (also direct ocean-front), and wash my '07 FLHR once a week. Do have some problems withsurface rust and they'reinevitable (especially cad-plated exhaust hardware and some small chrome pieces) -comes with the territory and isfixable.No problems with powder-coated parts though - weird.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
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From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: 08 streetglide rusting away!
That was going to be my question... Are you by the oceanside? I'd say if you live and or park the bike within a mile or two of the ocean it may be that darned moist salty air attacking the bike.
Here in San Diego it's not uncommon to see cars 40 or more years old with NO RUST AT ALL and even the undercarriage of the vehicle is in amazingly good condition. However: I've seen cars that are parked within a few blocks of the beach that looked like they're from the midwest - surface rust, even sometimesholes rotted thru the quarter panels, etc. It's that salty air!
I don't know if our poster here is in this situation, but perhaps this is a possibility.
Here in San Diego it's not uncommon to see cars 40 or more years old with NO RUST AT ALL and even the undercarriage of the vehicle is in amazingly good condition. However: I've seen cars that are parked within a few blocks of the beach that looked like they're from the midwest - surface rust, even sometimesholes rotted thru the quarter panels, etc. It's that salty air!
I don't know if our poster here is in this situation, but perhaps this is a possibility.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 2
From: Cocoa Beach, Florida
RE: 08 streetglide rusting away!
I'm starting to think DanB might have the situation figured out. I once knew a guywho removed some oil/tar with a harsh de-greaser not meant for painted surfaces. When he saw how "clean" that area looked (for a few minutes) he went wild and "cleaned" everything. Looked outstanding for about a week and caused terrible rust problems. Maybe some discrete questioning would help you figure things out120triker.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
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From:
RE: 08 streetglide rusting away!
Just thought of something else. Friends wife bought a Harley, not sure of the type..but it was powder coated engine, and pretty much black all over. I think she used the 1000 stuff..can't think of the name but it is something that Harley sells in the cleaning section. Think she left it on too long and it took the black off or discolored it terribly.
Maybe he used something like that and left it on too long.
Danb
Maybe he used something like that and left it on too long.
Danb
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
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RE: 08 streetglide rusting away!
What powder coated parts are you seeing rust on? Besides the frame and swingarm there isn't too much on that bike that is factory powder coated steel. Yes, I know aluminum will corrode, but you said rust so I'm guessing it's on steel.
Don't stand for the "environmental" excuse. If the parts were powder coated propery, they were run through an extensive cleaning and pretreatment process prior to powder coating. The pretreatment and sealers used should add a corosion protection to the part fora certain amount of "salt spray" hours. Those hours are usually in the hundreds to thousands of salt spray hours depending on the chemicals and process used. The salt spray test is how corrosion protection is guaged in excelerated tests in a lab. No powder coated parts should show signs of corrosion that quick, no matter how close to the ocean you are.
Don't get me wrong, high humidity combined with high salt content in the air will eventually take their toll on any finish, but not like you described. I hope you get things squared away and the factory owns up if it's their mistake.
Roger
Don't stand for the "environmental" excuse. If the parts were powder coated propery, they were run through an extensive cleaning and pretreatment process prior to powder coating. The pretreatment and sealers used should add a corosion protection to the part fora certain amount of "salt spray" hours. Those hours are usually in the hundreds to thousands of salt spray hours depending on the chemicals and process used. The salt spray test is how corrosion protection is guaged in excelerated tests in a lab. No powder coated parts should show signs of corrosion that quick, no matter how close to the ocean you are.
Don't get me wrong, high humidity combined with high salt content in the air will eventually take their toll on any finish, but not like you described. I hope you get things squared away and the factory owns up if it's their mistake.
Roger
