From April 1 to November for the last 3 years I've seen this 2000 something Road King Parked outside of a two unit apartment on top of a local pub. I spoke to the owner, he cooks at the local pub part time and also works days at a local lumber yard down the road. That bike sits outside in rain, early and late season snow and direct sun for approximately 7 months a year before he stores it away for the winter. He does not own a car, just the bike. It amazes me because I was looking at the bike again yesterday up close as I was chatting with the owner, and it is filthy, it only gets washed when it rains but the paint still glows under the grime and there isn't a speck of rust on that bike? Oh, the spoke wheels are faded and have a little powdery light corrosion but other than that, no rust. Not on the chrome or anywhere that is obvious. I'm wondering what the difference is between the earlier bikes like this one and the later models? My 2010 Street Glide is kept clean and garaged and I'm always trying to keep up with a little rust here and there, corrosion on bolts and fin edges etc. So Whats Harley doing differently?

 

Harley Gods are taking it easy on him!!

 

Brita....

 

Well, Thanks for the insight guys! That explains it.

 

I'd say probably the layers of dirt & grime over everything are actually protecting it somewhat from oxidizing.

 

Simple. Harley chrome just isn't what is used to be.

 

That's the difference of Harley craftsmanship from then to now! Seems like there is no pride in making a product that will last.. makes sense from a $$$$ point of view. But I can dig a bike that has "soul" if that makes any sense.

 

many bright pieces on a Harley have a clear coat on them.

some owners use abrasive cleaners and even steel wool which destroys these and over application will cause swirls in paint and scratch through chrome.



I guess this guy has the right amount of neglect.

- and remember rust doesn't happen at low temperatures, a heated garage can aid rust.

mike

 

If he detailed the bike with a good protective coat of wax and chrome wax, that could be the reason. I do that when I first get a bike and maybe every other year after that. You never know how well someone is taking care of a bike. Did you ask the owner?

 

Yes as a matter of fact I did...He said as I mentioned earlier, The only bath it gets is when it rains. To him it is just his transportation. He doesn't own or like being closed into a vehicle...