Rusted chrome on new FLHTK
Novice
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I live on an island in the North Atlantic. I literally live a stones throw from the Atlantic. You can smell the salt air and when the wind blows hard and the sea is rough you can feel the ocean mist on your face. It's a salty place. I own a 2006 Heritage that has no rust. It's showroom perfect. I don't do anything special. I wash it when it's dirty and wax it a couple of times a year. I store it inside.
One thing I can tell you is if you live in a salt water environment wqash your bike with cold water. Warm water promotes a reaction with the salt increasing the chance of rust.
One thing I can tell you is if you live in a salt water environment wqash your bike with cold water. Warm water promotes a reaction with the salt increasing the chance of rust.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
About 10 years ago a couple friends of mine took their bikes (from Illinois) to Daytona to Bike Week. They were there about 3 or 4 days and trailered them down and back. When they got back one of the bikes, a beautiful fully chromed up Fat Boy, had rusting and pitting of the chrome on the headlight nacelle and some of the switch covers. They stayed at a hotel right on the beach and the bikes sat outside. This happened with only a few days in the state.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
If you live close to the ocean, not washing and waxing the bike regularly will do it. Having pool chemicals close to the bike will do it too.
This being said, HD has had pb with chrome on the Limited. The chrome on my buddy's UC Limited wheels started to pit and flake after less than 6 months and HD replaced them under warranty. I've read several posts here from guys having the same problem.
This being said, HD has had pb with chrome on the Limited. The chrome on my buddy's UC Limited wheels started to pit and flake after less than 6 months and HD replaced them under warranty. I've read several posts here from guys having the same problem.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 4
From: On. Canada
About 10 years ago a couple friends of mine took their bikes (from Illinois) to Daytona to Bike Week. They were there about 3 or 4 days and trailered them down and back. When they got back one of the bikes, a beautiful fully chromed up Fat Boy, had rusting and pitting of the chrome on the headlight nacelle and some of the switch covers. They stayed at a hotel right on the beach and the bikes sat outside. This happened with only a few days in the state.
The OP apparently has not the highest quality of chrome on all of his chromed bike parts.
OPPS.....i said it....HD wouldn't use cheap chrome now, would they....must have been done without there knowledge! Just cant trust them Chinese....
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 5
From: IOWA
+1 -> I visited the sunshine state a couple of winters ago and stopped in at the Harley shop in Stuart. They had a few bikes outside and on the way in I noticed that most of the bolts and screws had rust in the allen and torx holes. The salt air is corrosive to say the least and blaming the MoCo for not repairing it is ..... You did say it got rained on a couple of times and how could you not think that the salt air wouldn't pollute the rain. Good luck.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 33
From: So Cal The Golden State
Any environment with Chlorides (Chlorine, Salt water, Bleach) will cause chloride pitting.
No matter what anyones say good chrome, bad chrome, expensive chrome, cheap chrome, new chrome, old chrome and even several nickel alloys will pitt. Period.
If the bike stood for couple months in that environment what do expect. Chloride pitting in this case if not a workmanship issue it is a maintanence issue.
Clean your bike often with cold soapy water and polish.
No matter what anyones say good chrome, bad chrome, expensive chrome, cheap chrome, new chrome, old chrome and even several nickel alloys will pitt. Period.
If the bike stood for couple months in that environment what do expect. Chloride pitting in this case if not a workmanship issue it is a maintanence issue.
Clean your bike often with cold soapy water and polish.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
Originally Posted by fettnersa 
I live a mile from the ocean and wash my bike every couple of weeks. So far no rust. You may need to do a water wash to help keep rust from starting.
Yep-- the root cause is the OP didn't wash the bike with fresh water to get the salt dust/crud/splash off of it. Of course the bike will rust/corrode.
I live a mile from the ocean and wash my bike every couple of weeks. So far no rust. You may need to do a water wash to help keep rust from starting.
+1 !!! In a salt air environment, not washing with FRESH water probably does more harm than good. Teh wind carries a lot of that salt through the air, so I'm betting the roads have some salinity to them with the dust settling. I would think the more it is rinsed off, the better.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stage I
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: greensboro, n.c.
I bought a 2012 Harley Road King Classic 6 weeks ago and have ridden 3000 miles. The bike has been cleaned regularly. The chrome bolts on the driver side of the windshield are rusting a lot but the chromed bolts on the side of the forks, which are more exposed to the elements have no rust. The motor fins are pitted. The front of the crash bar is rusing as well as other parts of the bike. After paying $21k cash for the bike I wanted since I was a kid, I'm extremely dissapointed.
From other posted complaints, no one seems to get any satisfaction from Harly on this issue. Can I take the dealership to small claims court?
From other posted complaints, no one seems to get any satisfaction from Harly on this issue. Can I take the dealership to small claims court?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
I bought a 2012 Harley Road King Classic 6 weeks ago and have ridden 3000 miles. The bike has been cleaned regularly. The chrome bolts on the driver side of the windshield are rusting a lot but the chromed bolts on the side of the forks, which are more exposed to the elements have no rust. The motor fins are pitted. The front of the crash bar is rusing as well as other parts of the bike. After paying $21k cash for the bike I wanted since I was a kid, I'm extremely dissapointed.
From other posted complaints, no one seems to get any satisfaction from Harly on this issue. Can I take the dealership to small claims court?
From other posted complaints, no one seems to get any satisfaction from Harly on this issue. Can I take the dealership to small claims court?
