2012 pitting already

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 31, 2013 | 03:43 AM

darkcustom48

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 169

Likes: 0

2012 pitting already

I have a 2012 RK CLASSIC. I keep it garaged and park on a rubber mat for a moisture barrier. I cover my bike with 2 old sheets as they are breathable. I was really disappointed yesterday when I gave my bike a good spring cleaning. I had lots of pitting on the chrome. Especially the engine guards and horn. I have had several brand new bikes and never experiences pitting like this after 1 season. ( I just got the bike last August). The pitting was actually rough to the touch. I am mad at myself for not putting on a coat of wax last fall and polishing the chrome. Has anyone else experienced this? I guess they really don't make them like they used to.

Mar 31, 2013 | 03:45 AM

agedwards63

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 810

Likes: 1

From: East Alton IL

Warranty should cover it
Do you live next to the ocean?
That can cause early pitting like that

Mar 31, 2013 | 04:05 AM

Ron750

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 28,842

Likes: 16,582

From: Wisconsin, USA

Do you store any chemicals like chlorine in the garage? They definitely don't make metal like they used to. I bought a Trek 7200 about 5 years ago. Rode it for about a month and stored it for the Winter. In the Spring the chain was heavily rusted, chrome quick releases too. I stored it right next to 6-7 older bikes that had no rust. One bike is a 1976 Schwinn Suburban with no rust. The store said I must have caustic chemicals. Trek sent me a new chain, same kind. When I upgraded balky Derailleur, I upgraded chain too.

Shame that a premium priced HD has the same problem.

Mar 31, 2013 | 05:02 AM

Scaredofrain

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 2,553

Likes: 13

From: Sussex, South of England

My bike started showing rust after 3 weeks. The dealer had replaced the engine guards twice, the saddlebag guards, wheels, driving light bar and various other chrome parts.
It should be warranty and all it should cost you is riding time and anguish.

Mar 31, 2013 | 07:21 AM

darkcustom48

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 169

Likes: 0

I'm gonna check with the dealer. I do have a pail of ice melt in the garage but its covered.

Mar 31, 2013 | 07:28 AM

Scaredofrain

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 2,553

Likes: 13

From: Sussex, South of England

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkcustom48

I'm gonna check with the dealer. I do have a pail of ice melt in the garage but its covered.

DO NOT TELL HIM ABOUT THAT STUFF!!!!! Anything from a bulb failure to a jammed wheel bearing will be attributed to the ice melt stored there.

Mar 31, 2013 | 07:55 AM

Lowcountry Joe

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 4,928

Likes: 69

From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by agedwards63

Warranty should cover it
Do you live next to the ocean?
That can cause early pitting like that

Really? I live 2.2 air miles from the ocean. No pitting whatsoever on any of my bikes. Maybe you have a different ocean in Illinois.

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

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Verdad Gallardo

Mar 31, 2013 | 08:27 AM

dan conner

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 5,308

Likes: 9

i live about a mile from the texas coast and it is a lot more work to keep a bike looking good. at least that is what people tell me...the only time my bike is washed is when the dealer does it.

Mar 31, 2013 | 08:36 AM

#10

Lowcountry Joe

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 4,928

Likes: 69

From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron750

I have seen Florida bikes that are pretty rusty. I grew up in NYC. It was an accepted fact that you would have increased corrosion near salt water. Maybe 2 miles is far enough away, to avoid that.

It's all in how you care for your bike, regardless of where you live. If you live up north, it's my opinion that a bike is exposed to much more road salt and corrosive chemicals during winter and early spring rides than will ever be the case in the south, or here near the coast where it never snows.

Then you have guys that store bikes outside under a cover, or somewhere where outside moisture can get to the bike. Not good for the bike at all. I was wondering why the OP had to use rubber mats under the bike in his garage to form a "moisture barrier". Where is the moisture coming from? Most garages have a concrete floor...??

Covering a bike when its hot is not a good idea. In addition to melting the cover on the pipes, there is a lot of moisture-laden hot gases that get trapped inside that cover and settle on the surfaces of the bike. If left unattended, that can spell trouble for certain finishes.

Lots of bike corrosion gets blamed on conditions other than proper care, when it's usually the lack of the timing of that proper care that leads to the corrosion in the first place.

Now all that said, from time to time we get hold of a poorly chromed HD part and there is not much that can be done about that, but it has to be caught early as the owner is performing that "proper" care. Otherwise, he said she said and it becomes the owners problem to deal with or replace.

It's easy to make a bike rusty, regardless of where you live. It all depends upon how judicious the owner is at applying the effort to keep the metal surfaces clean and conditioned.