Topic: lower speaker grill faded already (Read 9407 times)

S.E.Chic · « **on:** May 16, 2011, 09:21:56 PM »

I've had my bike for 5 months and have noticed the right side lower speaker grill looks like chit! Almost as if it was powdercoated and the paint didn't stick. Dealer has ordered me a new one, going on 5 weeks now for backorder. The other side is fine. And no, I didn't use any cleaner on it. Any one else had this problem?

trahog · « **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2011, 10:09:09 PM »

both of my lowers and tweeter grills have faded ,ordered new ones,also my friend that has the same bike is worse than mine

Ranger · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2011, 11:16:47 AM »

One of my tweeter grills is fading....

jcd520 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2011, 03:59:27 PM »

It is the orange. Too hot. Burning it up from the inside out.

MY2NDCVO · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2011, 04:21:12 PM »

Quote from: kridley on May 16, 2011, 09:21:56 PM

I've had my bike for 5 months and have noticed the right side lower speaker grill looks like chit! Almost as if it was powdercoated and the paint didn't stick. Dealer has ordered me a new one, going on 5 weeks now for backorder. The other side is fine. And no, I didn't use any cleaner on it. Any one else had this problem?

nuckelhead · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2011, 09:05:41 PM »

please post pics. are the grills just siver metallic under the black powdercoat? gonna keep a close eye on mine

Chains · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2011, 09:18:14 PM »

Get them powder coated, impervious to about everything or paint to match. Hell of a thing to tell someone that just put out 30K or more but until the factory does it right this is the fix.

S.E.Chic · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2011, 09:50:12 PM »

My replacement grill finally came in and got it installed this weekend. Also had them set up the Chirping for the alarm (I read the book and tried to do it, but nothing happened). I got to ride all weekend and now have 6,000 miles on her. Love the way it handles. Even road in rain today and got the bike totally filthy. Going to take a full day to clean her up!

trahog · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2011, 09:53:33 AM »

trahog · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2011, 09:54:32 AM »

more pics

Master Guns · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2011, 03:56:54 PM »

It has now happened to mine. 7,500 miles and all six speaker covers look like chit! My stealer service manager says that tech support isn't getting back to him. He took pictures and supposedly called tech support a week ago. I told him he has until tonight or I will go into action and use any means available to get this resolved.

jcd520 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 08, 2011, 04:44:36 PM »

To be clear here ,I am not accusing anyone of anything ,Just asking a question--------- is it possible that some kind of cleaner you are using caused this? Do you leave your bike out in the sun all the time, or is this just a case of the paint not sticking and literally flaking off the speaker grill? I have never seen anything like this before.

Master Guns · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2011, 04:53:22 PM »

Quote from: jcd520 on June 08, 2011, 04:44:36 PM

To be clear here ,I am not accusing anyone of anything ,Just asking a question--------- is it possible that some kind of cleaner you are using caused this? Do you leave your bike out in the sun all the time, or is this just a case of the paint not sticking and literally flaking off the speaker grill? I have never seen anything like this before.

I am retired so the bike does not go to work daily but sits in the garage. Bought it in August 2010 and now has 7,777 miles on it so it does see the sun while going down the road. No special cleaners used on the bike at all. I use Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash to wash the bike with and Harley Gloss. The grills are now bluish silver in color with blotches of the original black as can be seen in previous posts..

S.E.Chic · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2011, 05:40:43 PM »

I've got about 6,500 miles on mine (Since Dec 2010) and after replacing the right lower speaker grill, it appears as thought the left one has now started to fade. It is not pealing, rather the black color just kind of fades away. I do not get the speakers wet while washing. I guess it will be another trip back to the dealer for yet another replacement. (PS: I LOVE MY DEALERSHIP, I CAN SAY THEY TAKE CARE OF ME, NO ISSUES!)

TIF2 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 09, 2011, 07:12:22 AM »

I've got a couple of sets of aftermarket grills coming in to see if I can find a good replacement. I originally wanted to use the set that came with my Hertz MLK-165s but the grills are too big for the factory opening. I'll post up if I find a set that can be easily ordered.

My goal for finding a replacement set has nothing to do with my stock grills fading (they aren't - yet); but has everything to do with the placement of the HD logo on the stock grill. For any good/high quality replacement speaker (coax - not component) the mid/tweeter will sit right behind the stock emblem. The stock emblem is big enough to hurt the dispersion of that driver in the replacment speaker. While it's arguable on whether mid/tweets can be heard in that location at speed or not, why knowingly hamper the performance of the replacment speaker?

For any replacement grill I find, I'm also going to try and keep the stock emblem - just move it to lower-center instead of exact center.

spydglide · « **Reply #15 on:** June 09, 2011, 07:14:43 AM »

I like the way you think, if only all my high-end hearing wasn't all gone already.....

....spyder

TIF2 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 09, 2011, 07:23:52 AM »

Quote from: spydglide on June 09, 2011, 07:14:43 AM

I like the way you think, if only all my high-end hearing wasn't all gone already..... ....spyder

I resemble that remark as well - I have a serious fall-off above 8K derived from HF-Comm deployment excercises back in the day.
I still convince myself that I can hear everything - otherwise I wouldn't need to drop the coin on high-quality speakers

spydglide · « **Reply #17 on:** June 09, 2011, 07:51:45 AM »

Quote from: TIF2 on June 09, 2011, 07:23:52 AM

I resemble that remark as well - I have a serious fall-off above 8K derived from HF-Comm deployment excercises back in the day.
I still convince myself that I can hear everything - otherwise I wouldn't need to drop the coin on high-quality speakers

Face the music and save the coin. Spend on something you can see/feel....you & I don't need high-end 'cause we can't hear it & you sure can't feel it like the low end. Being a life-long musician & Infantry type destroyed everything above my mid-range....just glad to still have that at this point.

har. spyder

Master Guns · « **Reply #18 on:** June 10, 2011, 01:02:50 PM »

Dealer informed me yesterday that Tech Support has authorized replacement of all six. He also stated that Tech Support told him that this is the first they have heard of this issue. I informed him that there have been others with the same issue that have had their's replaced. They screwed around so long that I won't be able to have them replaced until I get back from my 4,500 rode trip.

Ranger · « **Reply #19 on:** June 13, 2011, 10:41:07 AM »

Just completed the 7,500 mile service on my 2011 SESG....all the speaker grills are faded....Dealer called HD and they said they aren't aware of this issue...asked the dealer to take pictures and send...

I asked them to tell HD to read this forum...LMAO

DavidG · « **Reply #20 on:** June 13, 2011, 01:46:10 PM »

Mine are doing the same thing. One thing I noticed is it appears to be a film. I can scratch the faded part with my fingernail and the "scale" flakes off. Underneath it looks fine. I wonder if its some kind of coating that is not adhering correctly?

CVO King · « **Reply #21 on:** June 26, 2011, 09:58:55 PM »

28K on my FLHXSE2 and the grills faded in 6 months. I just wipe them down with that clear tire shine sprayed on a rag.Looks like new and it lasts for a couple of months. By then you should have certainly detailed out your sled.

trahog · « **Reply #22 on:** June 27, 2011, 08:00:05 AM »

Just got all 6 of mine replaced,the tweeters had to be replaced since no covers that can be removed and my amp was replaced,after 2 other dealers told me nothing wrong,Pensacola and Ft.Walton stay away from those dealers,found a great one Eastern Shores Alabama,will be getting my money from now on.
Stereo sounds awesome again .no more cutting out on the right side and no distortion .

NativTexan · « **Reply #23 on:** July 05, 2011, 02:08:27 PM »

All of mine looked just like this. I scratched the white coating off with my fingernail and now they look just fine. The dealer as ordered me all new ones but I wonder if the same thing is going to happen again. Looks like some type of coating over the powder coating is what is coming off.

Invisible68 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 09, 2011, 05:17:16 PM »

Quote from: Master Guns on June 10, 2011, 01:02:50 PM

Dealer informed me yesterday that Tech Support has authorized replacement of all six. He also stated that Tech Support told him that this is the first they have heard of this issue. I informed him that there have been others with the same issue that have had their's replaced. They screwed around so long that I won't be able to have them replaced until I get back from my 4,500 rode trip.

just think of it this way: You will have really nice ones... vs the new ones getting all the sun time and being faded by the time you get back.... dnr

Invisible68 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 09, 2011, 05:19:54 PM »

Quote from: Ranger on June 13, 2011, 10:41:07 AM

Just completed the 7,500 mile service on my 2011 SESG....all the speaker grills are faded....Dealer called HD and they said they aren't aware of this issue...asked the dealer to take pictures and send...

I asked them to tell HD to read this forum...LMAO

they probably read this forum so they have time to make up excuses and see how they float... or don't float.... and see if they need to come up with a better response....

Invisible68

GBeck · « **Reply #26 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:19:15 AM »

Simple Green and a terry cloth fixed the problem on mine. It does appear to be some type of film as opposed to a coating degradation. Glad it's not going to be a "me against the machine" event with the dealer!

Sledge · « **Reply #27 on:** September 24, 2011, 03:35:56 PM »

Quote from: TIF2 on June 09, 2011, 07:23:52 AM

I resemble that remark as well - I have a serious fall-off above 8K derived from HF-Comm deployment excercises back in the day.
I still convince myself that I can hear everything - otherwise I wouldn't need to drop the coin on high-quality speakers

I also have hearing loss over the years. My wife talks and all I hear is a buzzing noise.

sammyj · « **Reply #28 on:** September 24, 2011, 04:06:18 PM »

I "RE-PAINTED" Mine with a wide tip Sharpie Marker...
Looks great, slightly more glossy than stock...
Holding up great.

Did not want to hassle with the dealer because I used the grills
from the stock speakers on the JL upgrade to keep everything looking stock.

Sledge · « **Reply #29 on:** September 24, 2011, 05:20:08 PM »

Sharpie is also great to touch up minor chips in black paint.

owl893 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 11, 2019, 01:23:31 PM »

found Rustoleum Painters Touch, semi-gloss black at Home Depot. 8 oz. can $3.76, used a flat artists brush 1/2 inch wide $1.09. Easy coverage, brush out the holes that fill with paint, dries smooth, perfect match. Inspect after ten minutes with a flash light, poke out any holes still filled with a toothpick. Took 20 minutes including cleaning the brush. Grills look new, even in the sun. (Note stir the paint frequently).

Owl

Author Topic: lower speaker grill faded already (Read 9407 times)

jcd520

jcd520