Crappy Paint!
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Lakeville, MA
Crappy Paint!
I just removed my front fender on my 09 FLHTPI and the paint under the trim is literally falling off! The metal under it is completely rusted. The rear is beginning to bubble up also. The bike is only 2 1/2 years old with 17,000 miles and kept in a heated garage. I have a 1966 BMW with original paint and it's still perfect! My "friendly" HD service manager (at the dealer where I bought TWO brand new bikes in 09) asked if it was in warranty, then kind of shrugged his shoulders. After proding he took a picture of the fender with his phone and said he put in a "good faith" warranty request, but that was two weeks ago and still nothing (I truely believe he never sent anything to HD). My next call is to HD but I just wanted to know if anyone had similar problems.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Weymouth MA
No the trim parts loosened up and started rubbing. Nothing to do with prep work. Metal rubbing against painted metal becomes bare metal. They wont fix it. Now you can either have it repainted and not put trim back on or Coat rusted area with fluid film or some s2000.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,418
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From: USA
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
You are pretty close to ocean.... I know the salt air can reek havoc on parts, especially hidden areas.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Weymouth MA
He is not that close to water. But your answer is almost correct. I bet he takes it out early spring with salt still on roads. Or on the fluke warm days we get after snow storms. I always get a good chuckle when I see those bikes go down a white street on winter day. An hours ride with salt on road will take hours of proper cleaning or your fender will rust out.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
He is not that close to water. But your answer is almost correct. I bet he takes it out early spring with salt still on roads. Or on the fluke warm days we get after snow storms. I always get a good chuckle when I see those bikes go down a white street on winter day. An hours ride with salt on road will take hours of proper cleaning or your fender will rust out.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Weymouth MA
...sorry...wrong on that..I ride mine here in Mass every winter I can, sometimes just once a month in Dec, Jan, and Feb if it's a harsh winter, all it takes is a good 10 minute rinse and then dry it with the leaf blower and there is no rust or pitting on my bike...still looks new and get lots of compliments...
remove some of your chrome on the painted parts. He pulled off chrome and found it. Thats what salt does. it gets in tight places and eats away