New Bike Rust

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New Bike Rust

3/8

STEAMER
5 years ago

Quoting me_ashman on 20 Jul 2019 07:57 AM
My 16 slim came with factory rust on the nacelle and developed pitting on nearly all alloy bits. I live near the beach but it's garaged always and never in the weather. Later I'll get the spokes done as the chrome is so shit just looking at it will make it rust.
Harley's are pretty shit quality for the money they ask but it is what it is. I just had the parts power coated and replaced what I wanted chrome anyway. Hope you get yours sorted because they aren't cheap bikes just poor quality controlled.

Can get stainless spokes

Far Canal
5 years ago

me_ashman
5 years ago

Yeah, I had my Bonneville wheels respoked in stainless but I was thinking to have them just blacked out on this bike. Problem is finding someone really competent enough to do a good job lacing.

Far Canal
5 years ago

Quoting me_ashman on 20 Jul 2019 07:57 AM
My 16 slim came with factory rust on the nacelle and developed pitting on nearly all alloy bits. I live near the beach but it's garaged always and never in the weather. Later I'll get the spokes done as the chrome is so shit just looking at it will make it rust.
Harley's are pretty shit quality for the money they ask but it is what it is. I just had the parts power coated and replaced what I wanted chrome anyway. Hope you get yours sorted because they aren't cheap bikes just poor quality controlled.

"It came with factory rust"! . Were they using that as a marketing ploy you could not resist?.
Why didn't you buy one that did not have rust on it?.

me_ashman
5 years ago

Quoting Far Canal on 20 Jul 2019 09:30 AMedited: 20 Jul 2019 09:40 AM

Who can resist an option like that...
Didn't notice it until maybe a six months later. I really can't be bothered dealing with the dealership over it... Powder coating isn't expensive and at least I know it's done right.

Far Canal
5 years ago

Quoting Far Canal on 20 Jul 2019 09:30 AMedited: 20 Jul 2019 09:40 AM

Quoting me_ashman on 20 Jul 2019 09:33 AMedited: 20 Jul 2019 09:49 AM
Who can resist an option like that...
Didn't notice it until maybe a six months later. I really can't be bothered dealing with the dealership over it... Powder coating isn't expensive and at least I know it's done right.

Yeah, I guess you have a point there.
Seen guys making customs that purposely go for the rusty look.

SCUZZ
5 years ago

Hi guys,
spent the day researching this rust topic.
There are multiple issues. Finally, getting my head around this . I was a bit naive buying a Harley . Attracted by the image , the brotherhood , the bike looks , the torque, the sound and cruising through the hills with mates . Previously rode dirt bikes and in later years a jap sports bike. Thought I'd join the Harley world. Heard stories of poor build and shoddy warranties. Thought they were just stories. Now that I have a Harley with problems, and have become one of those complainers , I have realized everything I heard is probably true.
Luckily my engine has not blown. Couple of terrible stories from a Harley dealer review site about blokes with blown motors having to go to small claims to get their motor sorted . One bloke had only done 150 km !
Scrolling the internets great for answers.
HD forums Australia has multiple listings over the years of rust probs, mild to severe like mine.
For example ,one oak s posting in 2011, mickrods posting in 2009 pops 2009, yammybase s in 2016, madoga in 2011 and so on.
There are also internet mags like Motorbikerider which lists in Jan 2019 a recall of all streetmodels due to a rust issue.
Finally, the dealership that sold me my bike has multiple complaints against it on the internet of warranties being ignored until the pressure mounts.
HD forums Aus also has postings on the warranty. Whilst the warranty may mention spokes are not covered, Fairtrading told me last week a warranty can say what it likes, but in Aust , the goods have to be durable for Aust conditions. Rust in 4 months is not durable (in my humble opinion). Read " My mates Nightster" Feb 2009 posting by Pops.
And so the list goes on.

The internet s also very helpful with people using Fairtrading, Consumer affairs, FB and reviews to get their bikes fixed. It seems its about persistence. I guess like the majority

Finally, I hit pay dirt. I got to speak to a mate of a mate who worked in a Harley dealership as a "tech". He said its poor quality build, partic the shocker heads and rocker covers. He's seen it before . He said persevere through the dealers lack of interests, denials and blame game. He said it will be covered.

In summary , I believe my bikes rust on front spokes, rear spokes, shocker heads, gear linkages , and pitted rocker covers will be covered. The rust on the shockers heads , gear linkages and pitted rocker covers (according to a tech and one HD Forum posting ) will get me over the warranty line as there is no way they can argue putting on rocket covers is acceptable or due to neglect.

Thanks to every Harley owner who has posted over the years, i' m feeling relieved.
Now if only the dealer would respond to my email to save me a trip to the small claims court (as a couple of owners did )

paulybronco
5 years ago

Quote source removed.
Not maybe your wrong.....your totally wrong! Here's a few facts for any reseller of ANY product in Australia, if you sell it , you endorse it and there fore are as liable as the manufacturer for the product, hence the three R"S under our consumer laws....Replace....Repair....Refund at the discretion of the consumer. In what imaginary world is a dealer or any other Entity or individual other than a diplomat from a foreign country not able to be sued? If your aware of the answer please don't print it PM me the secret and i promise we will all make a fortune.

Baloffski
5 years ago

Scuzz, assistance from the crew here is incrediable aye.. Just a pity that the other side is not so helpful.
Am an old cunt, and do you know what I have seen over the years....... The Squeaky Fucken Wheel Gets the Oil...
Start sqeaking more scuzz..
They"ll call ya "Squeaky Scuzz", but ya might have Harley Davidson issues fixed.
Good Luck mate. B.

Soapbox2627
5 years ago

Quoting Baloffski on 20 Jul 2019 01:12 PM
Scuzz, assistance from the crew here is incrediable aye.. Just a pity that the other side is not so helpful.
Am an old cunt, and do you know what I have seen over the years....... The Squeaky Fucken Wheel Gets the Oil...
Start sqeaking more scuzz..
They"ll call ya "Squeaky Scuzz", but ya might have Harley Davidson issues fixed.
Good Luck mate. B.

and the more oil they squirt on, the less rust you will get

paulybronco
5 years ago

Quoting Baloffski on 20 Jul 2019 01:12 PM
Scuzz, assistance from the crew here is incrediable aye.. Just a pity that the other side is not so helpful.
Am an old cunt, and do you know what I have seen over the years....... The Squeaky Fucken Wheel Gets the Oil...
Start sqeaking more scuzz..
They"ll call ya "Squeaky Scuzz", but ya might have Harley Davidson issues fixed.
Good Luck mate. B.

Quoting Soapbox2627 on 20 Jul 2019 01:34 PM
and the more oil they squirt on, the less rust you will get

Ha Ha very true....maybe thats why mine has not rusted, there has always been oil pumping out the air cleaner since day 1

Far Canal
5 years ago

A while ago in Hobart there was a disgruntled customer of an insurance company.
He made a big sign that read "( insert insurance company) WILL NOT PAY MY CLAIM", mounted the sign on his flat tray and parked his vehicle in plain view out the front of the insurance company, which was on a busy road.
His flat tray did not have to be parked there for too long for a result.
Food for thought, bike, sign, flat tray.

SCUZZ
5 years ago

Thanks pauly, far canal , balofski and soapbox. I' m keeping a long term perspective. It may take me 3 months to get it sorted, by which time there will probably be more rust .
However, it's all documented (beauty of emails ) and I can still ride it when I'm home. Some mates suggested I park it outside the shop with a rust sign. I don't have enough tatts or muscles to carry that off.
Gearbox is also feeling clunkier when I engage first than when I first bought it. Engages with a loud clunk when putting it into first after warming it up before my ride. Hoping that's just my imagination !

HOG63
5 years ago

Quoting Far Canal on 17 Jul 2019 10:09 AMedited: 17 Jul 2019 10:17 AM
This was mine 3 weeks after I bought it.
Actually threw it into the sea to see if I could stop the rust.
Bad move. Don't do that.

Okay that was a bit flippant.
Perhaps someone does not like you and has sabotaged or vandalised your bike?
They should not rust that quickly.

That is the saddest Harley photo I have ever seen.
—

All the best with your quest Scuzz.

paulybronco
5 years ago

Quoting SCUZZ on 21 Jul 2019 02:16 AM
Thanks pauly, far canal , balofski and soapbox. I' m keeping a long term perspective. It may take me 3 months to get it sorted, by which time there will probably be more rust .
However, it's all documented (beauty of emails ) and I can still ride it when I'm home. Some mates suggested I park it outside the shop with a rust sign. I don't have enough tatts or muscles to carry that off.
Gearbox is also feeling clunkier when I engage first than when I first bought it. Engages with a loud clunk when putting it into first after warming it up before my ride. Hoping that's just my imagination !

Dont worry about the clunk they all do it in varying degrees

Far Canal
5 years ago

You can order stainless steel spokes that have been polished, they look the part and will never rust.
Happy with my regular stainless spokes.
Not that hard to lace a wheel, just need a bit of patience.

Soapbox2627
5 years ago

Quoting SCUZZ on 21 Jul 2019 02:16 AM
Thanks pauly, far canal , balofski and soapbox. I' m keeping a long term perspective. It may take me 3 months to get it sorted, by which time there will probably be more rust .
However, it's all documented (beauty of emails ) and I can still ride it when I'm home. Some mates suggested I park it outside the shop with a rust sign. I don't have enough tatts or muscles to carry that off.
Gearbox is also feeling clunkier when I engage first than when I first bought it. Engages with a loud clunk when putting it into first after warming it up before my ride. Hoping that's just my imagination !

Quoting paulybronco on 21 Jul 2019 08:54 PM
Dont worry about the clunk they all do it in varying degrees

the first time I go to first after starting no longer have a big clunk, I pull the clutch in to the bars twice then go for the gear, slides in like a courting finger
some times a small glink

graeme
5 years ago

I have had Buchanan stainless spokes from rollies just clean with glass cleaner have had them on for 10 years this is the way to go