Have any of you guys been having any issues with the inside of your mufflers rusting? I'm talking about the area at the exit inside the pipe (see pics).


Right side;


Left side;


I bought this 2010 Ultra Classic last Sept and have about 11,000 miles on it. The bike sat in a control enviroment during the harsh winter when the salt was on the roads so no salt could of caused the issue.

If you notice the right side is in much worse shape than the left side. I called the folks that I bought it from and they have not seen any problems but he was going to check with H-D tech to find out. I'm still waiting to hear back from them. He did tell me that Harley does not warranty rust and corrosion but I think there is something wrong with these pipes.

My 03 Fatboy with Screamin Eagle pipes has 50,000 miles on it and the pipes are in great shape.
Any idea's? Thoughts?

 

I know you probably don't do this, but I'm going to throw this out there anyway. Over the winter , if you start your bike up just to hear it or let it run for a few minutes, condensation will build up in the exhaust and engine without totally heating everything up,: ie, like at least a 10 minute ride. Just sayin!

 

Combustion byproducts are corrosive. I have seen an equal amount with more rust than yours and an equal amount with less. My stock pipes had considerably less than yours, and my heated garage has cars coming and going covered in snow and salt and melting all over the floor all winter. My garage is also below grade on 3 sides. My buddy has a garage that is 100% climate controlled and very dry and his has rusted like yours? I have absolutely no rust on my Vance and Hines Pro Pipe. There are many factors to consider but combustion byproducts will definately rust any raw unprotected metal. Many folks pipes are sooted up covering any rust as they run slightly rich.

 

HELL, I thought you were talking about the "OUTSIDE"!!!!!! You're wasting your time. There ain't anything wrong with your pipes. Just get some 000 steel wool & WD 40 & chrome cleaner.

 

The baffles in the V&H Ovals I had rusted a lot.

 

A lot of little explosions.

 

Both of mine (07 RK and 09 Ultra) sit in a climate-controlled garage and would look like that EXCEPT that after I wash them, I take a bit of CRC "Power Lube" (or whatever it's called; it used to be "5-56"; similar to WD-40) on a paper towel and wipe the inside of the mufflers where yours show the rust. Since they aren't chromed there, they will rust otherwise.

 

I guess you live in the wrong part of the country mine don't do that!

 

Not much you can do about it. Probably from watered down gas we buy too..Last bike I just got some Rustoleum High temp BBQ grill flat black and after masking most of the area off well, sprayed it in there. Looked great-hid any rust.. Worth a shot..

Postman

 

I thought mine was the only one. The stock pipes suck so I am not really worried if they do rust (gonna replace them anyway). Granted mine are no where nearly as bad as yours, but mine only has about 1000 miles on it.