2013 Wheels Damaged by Road Deicer
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Branchville, nj
I just picked up my bike three weeks ago today and decided to ride it home being it was in the 50s that day even though the roads were wet. After reading this thread I just went out and checked my wheels because I did a sponge bath on it when i got home.( the outside water on my house was turned off for the winter) Luckily it doesn't appear to be any damage, the crap on the wheels seems to come off when I rubbed it with a wet finger. Its only 27 degrees here so washing it now is out of the question. I hope when the 1st warm enough day comes around and I can do a proper clean job everything will be ok.
My fingers are crossed.
My fingers are crossed.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 459
From: Here and now
Your problem is that the wheels are not defective. They didn't crack or bend. Any other HD with those wheels would have had the same thing happen. Harley is likely not going to warranty this. If they do it's going to be goodwill, not an acknowledgement that there was any defect. Because there is not.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 285
Likes: 3
From: Parkton,MD.
Same thing here in MD. If two snowflakes fall they immediately spread tons of salt on the roads. Most of the time there is more salt on the road than snow. Any aluminum on your bike will start to oxidize almost immediately. Even when the roads are dry the previous salt that had been spread leaves a dusty coating that gets in every nook and cranny of the bike. Wait for a couple of hard rains before riding.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 895
Likes: 27
From: Outside Dover, OH
Not sure about these chemicals, but with salt, running water over it's probably the worst thing you can do. Washing it completely off is great, but hosing it down simply activates the salt. They claim the real damage is done when the salt residue is activated by spring rain. To the OP, I'd be sick about that damage. Semper Fi
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 9
From: Greensboro, NC
Not sure about these chemicals, but with salt, running water over it's probably the worst thing you can do. Washing it completely off is great, but hosing it down simply activates the salt. They claim the real damage is done when the salt residue is activated by spring rain. To the OP, I'd be sick about that damage. Semper Fi
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,020
Likes: 69
From: Twin Cities, MN
That is why my bike sits all winter, and still looks great after 66K. Sorry about the rash. That is a real bummer.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 1
From: Silverdale, WA
I bought a replacement OEM wheel off of a member that put aftermarket wheels on his. Came with an almost new balanced OEM tire on it, and was shipped to my door for less then the cost of a new tire from the dealer. Run the tires off, find a wheel or wheels off of a for sale list and forget about it. Same thing happened to my one month old Ultra here, didn't know they were going to spray roads with deicer, discovered it on the way home. Even with wash/rinse with salt away for boats, still had etching of the wheels.