2013 Wheels Damaged by Road Deicer
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,864
From: Western South Dakota
That mag choride stuff is like S-100 if forgotten to be wiped off of aluminum.
Something for you to consider would/should be doing a chrome wheel exhange.
Also, if it did that to your wheels, what did it do the rest of your bike?
Most of time I resist the urge/temptation, due to the sale, and gravel that they lay down here, even after the snow has melted, unless we have had a good rain. Then it's all good to go.
Something for you to consider would/should be doing a chrome wheel exhange.
Also, if it did that to your wheels, what did it do the rest of your bike?
Most of time I resist the urge/temptation, due to the sale, and gravel that they lay down here, even after the snow has melted, unless we have had a good rain. Then it's all good to go.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 111
From: Sioux Center IA
I agree after they put this salt down I'm done riding till a good rain in the spring. It's hard on vehicles to. Just have to wash more often. Harley needs to put a coating on these wheels. My Chevy pickup does for the wheels so I can run them in the winter
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
I traded my oem wheels for chrome for the same reason. My understanding is that Harley used to epoxy-coat their wheels and would end up eating wheels under warrantee if there was so much as a bubble in the epoxy.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 459
From: Here and now
I don't agree it's not a manufacturers defect, there is nothing in Harley's owners manual etc about not riding in this area of the country. Those wheels should come with some sort of coating to protect the wheel from that substance. Auto manuafacturers don't seem to have this problem at all.
My 2011 manual says
"Damage from harsh chemicals can occur".
"It is imperative that the wheels are cared for weekly to guard against pitting and corrosion"
"Corrosion of these components is not considered to be a defect in materials or workmanship".
"Aluminum wheels do not have protective coating".
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
The same thing happens to the stock lowers on Harleys. Stock lowers after a few months of riding in bugs and salt look like ****, just like that wheel. They get permanently stained and not matter how diligent you are, it's gonna happen. What's new?
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 872
Likes: 20
From: Niagara Falls Canada
never ever ride in winter
I learned the hard way with a honda I had a cpl of bikes before my harley. Made the mistake of taking it out in jan on a clear day and was dry and hadnt snowed for a few weeks. put it back in the unheated garage without completely washing it down since i didnt see any thing on it. spring comes along and ive got that white corrosion on the timing belt covers the rims, parts of engine carbs. I see guys out on bikes all the time in winter some of them pretty new nice bikes and hope they get a real good washing when they take it home. sure if the aluminum isnt clear coated they are all in for some real surprises in the spring. another thing that probably didnt help was the cold then warm days which made the bike collect condensation with the every few days of temperature changes. went in a few times and water was puddled on ground that had dripped off the bike.
next bike i had was a gold wing and after that i used to spray all the chrome and aluminum with wd 40 for the winter. even this didnt help the aluminum from oxidizing since the water condensation eventually washed the oil off the bike.
when i got my 2003 electra glide classic I added on to my garage with a small 10X10 fully insulated and heated room bike goes in it summer too at night, no dust ever gets on it in there either. battery tender plugged in all winter and gas stabilizer in the tank.
I feel your pain ,some real good aluminum polish and a buffing wheel on a drill may help as long as it didnt pit up.
I Had a foot peg on my wifes dyna that was scratched up, sanded with 600 water paper then up to 1000 then used aluminum polish on buffer wheel on drill, looked like chrome after i was done
right now my 2009 ultra is sitting all warm and cozy plugged in patiently waiting about 6-8 weeks to come out and play.
hope it works out, if not new set of chromies may be in your future.
next bike i had was a gold wing and after that i used to spray all the chrome and aluminum with wd 40 for the winter. even this didnt help the aluminum from oxidizing since the water condensation eventually washed the oil off the bike.
when i got my 2003 electra glide classic I added on to my garage with a small 10X10 fully insulated and heated room bike goes in it summer too at night, no dust ever gets on it in there either. battery tender plugged in all winter and gas stabilizer in the tank.
I feel your pain ,some real good aluminum polish and a buffing wheel on a drill may help as long as it didnt pit up.
I Had a foot peg on my wifes dyna that was scratched up, sanded with 600 water paper then up to 1000 then used aluminum polish on buffer wheel on drill, looked like chrome after i was done
right now my 2009 ultra is sitting all warm and cozy plugged in patiently waiting about 6-8 weeks to come out and play.
hope it works out, if not new set of chromies may be in your future.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
The amazing thing is that these wheels did not suffer from a lack of maintenance. This happened in one 1 hour ride, amazing. No reason Harley can't put some type of coating on the aluminum wheels. If car companies can do it, Harley can too.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 2
From: Rhode Island
Correct me if I am wrong but I stated in prior posts about riding a $20K plus bike in the salt bath of winter! You get what you deserve bringing a bike you cherish out in the winter period! Of course HD is not gonna warranty that! If I were them I would not either! Learn from your mistake!