These old threads remain useful - thanks to all you guys that posted all those years ago. Back then people were reporting on a problem a year or so old so really only a cosmetic issue if even noticed. I didn’t notice any rust on my 2010 FLHTK between the guard and swing arm. Was all clean. However, when I removed the guard to help some other work yesterday at least (I exaggerate not) a pint of water exited under pressure (significant head) when the first rear screw was removed. Was like draining a tank. The water was filthy.

Cleaned up the floor then removed the guard completely. More rusty liquid exited, the pics shows this second lot running under to the other side of the bike.

As per this old thread, the guard does a good job of keeping the drain hole closed. On my bike this has meant that the sludge inside gathered over the years and formed a plug in the drain hole so the liquid could only exit from the screw holes when the screws removed. You can see this “plug” effect on the pics.

Look also at the before and after pics of the screw driver I inserted to free the plug. Gives you an idea of the rust generating concoction that has been building up over 9 years. After cleaning up the outside I emptied a large can of WD40 into the arm hoping to displace the water. Once the hot days return so I know it is really dry inside I will spray a dose of rust converter / inhibitor up there.

First job this morning is to drill the guard

There is nothing wrong with water getting in as long as it can drain out........

The round white area is the plugged hole

Second output after first one cleaned up already

Still dripping after an hour

The mess, that is rusty liquid not copper grease

Droplet exiting screw hole next to the plugged drain hole

What I used to unblock the drain hole. Full of yuck inside the arm. Yes the arm is that big inside. The whole driver blade inserted.

Cleaned up