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[bpalmersheim]

Just received my HD Windscreen kit after waiting three weeks to get it.  BTW: The windscreen kit is now obsolete by HD, that is why it was so difficult to get one...

Opened the box and inspected everything and the chrome looks great!  Or at least until I flipped over the handlebar cover which I discovered to be heavily corroded and appears to have severe pitting and corrosion, there is also what appears to be rust deep in the pits.  Looks as if they left some corrosive chemical that built up inside the cover and it did a magic number to the steel.

Note: You would never see the corrosion as it would be on the underside of the cover above the handle bars, just worried how it will further deteriorate in KY with the heat and humidity that we encounter.

Should I keep it and install it (worried about further corrosion and rust to the windscreen and bike) or just have the handlebar cover replaced?

What is the deal with HD's quality control?  Very disappointed...     

Below is a pic of what I a referring to.

[bpalmersheim]

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[bpalmersheim]

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[bpalmersheim]

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[bpalmersheim]

Click on the pictures for larger images...

[Twolanerider]

It's not pretty.  That's for sure.  Unless it looks differently in person than in the photos I'd probably not go the effort of swapping it out though.  Would likely give it a very through wash and dry then hit the area with a rattle can of a good quality primer to seal it off.

[grc]

Unless it's easy and quick to get a replacement, I believe I'd do as Don suggested.  If you have a Dremel tool, use a small polishing buff with some metal polish and clean out the gunk, wipe it down with thinner, then hit the area with some clear to seal it. 

Jerry

[Dan_Lockwood]

Have you ever seen the back or reverse side of a new chrome bumper from GM???

They don't take too many pains with the back side.  Depending on how it was dipped in the chroming tank, what you have is probably an air pocket that didn't get out during the plating process.

If it's not flacking, I'd leave it alone.  Or like the other have suggested, just clean it up a bit.  You could also just take some clear lacquer spray to it after you clean it up.  The lacquer spray will coat it and waterproof the area just to be on the safe side.

So if the outside looks good, don't really worry too muh about it.  Could it have been better, maybe.  But I bet most of them will be the same way as their process probably is the same for all the parts.

[nidan]

Harley accesories quality is comprimised by the offshore concept of quality.
I always look for a US built part if there is one available .  In thiis case, the fix isn't dramatic , but it is a shame to have to "fix" a new part . At the very least I'd forward the pics to HD with comments.

[grc]

Harley accesories quality is comprimised by the offshore concept of quality.
I always look for a US built part if there is one available .  In thiis case, the fix isn't dramatic , but it is a shame to have to "fix" a new part . At the very least I'd forward the pics to HD with comments.

Nidan, you wouldn't be referring to our governments latest sweetheart trading partner would you?  At least they haven't found a way to poison H-D's parts and accessories yet.  I remember when I used to recommend folks buy their chrome bits from H-D versus the aftermarket due to the higher quality.  Of course, that was back when the stuff didn't come from China.  Since our government gave them favored nation trading status, every greedy POS company I can think of has jumped on the bandwagon to get some of that ultra cheap (or even slave) labor for themselves.  Just recently saw a report on the news concerning the lead paint toy fiasco that explains exactly why this stuff is happening.  American toy company paying $10 per hour for labor versus Chinese company paying $0.50 per hour.  Not to mention lower costs due to the lack of health and safety regulations, environmental regulations, etc.  Of course, the price at your favorite toy store doesn't reflect that huge cost savings; I wonder where that extra money is going???   

I also try to buy made in the USA parts (and clothing, appliances, whatever).  And it is getting to be almost impossible.  The name on the product may be a famous old-line American name, but if you dig deep enough you will find "made in China" somewhere. 

Jerry

[SOKOOLJ]

Nidan, you wouldn't be referring to our governments latest sweetheart trading partner would you?  At least they haven't found a way to poison H-D's parts and accessories yet.  I remember when I used to recommend folks buy their chrome bits from H-D versus the aftermarket due to the higher quality.  Of course, that was back when the stuff didn't come from China.  Since our government gave them favored nation trading status, every greedy POS company I can think of has jumped on the bandwagon to get some of that ultra cheap (or even slave) labor for themselves.  Just recently saw a report on the news concerning the lead paint toy fiasco that explains exactly why this stuff is happening.  American toy company paying $10 per hour for labor versus Chinese company paying $0.50 per hour.  Not to mention lower costs due to the lack of health and safety regulations, environmental regulations, etc.  Of course, the price at your favorite toy store doesn't reflect that huge cost savings; I wonder where that extra money is going???   

I also try to buy made in the USA parts (and clothing, appliances, whatever).  And it is getting to be almost impossible.  The name on the product may be a famous old-line American name, but if you dig deep enough you will find "made in China" somewhere. 

Jerry

Shipping, maybe???  Come on it has to be expensive, from alllllllllllllllll the way over there. No one would dare try and pocket that much $$$, especially toy makers. pth!!!

[grc]

Shipping, maybe???  Come on it has to be expensive, from alllllllllllllllll the way over there. No one would dare try and pocket that much $$$, especially toy makers. pth!!!

No way a toy company would screw little kids, right?  Well, here's the example given on the news.  Doll selling for $20 in a particular U.S. store, made in USA version cost the store $10.  Made in China version cost the store $3, including shipping.  I'm assuming the $7 rebates on the Chinese version will be in the mail to those customers shortly, along with the free lead testing kit.

Jerry

[bpalmersheim]

Good News!  The Handle bar clamp cover is still available from HD MoCo.  Dealership is ordering a new one under warranty, should have it in a few more days...

[BUBBLEHEAD]

tape off the outside, lightly sand the inside, and use POR 15 to coat the inside with. That stuff will seal it forever no worries!!!

[DoCPooF]

That's good.... I didn't have any issues with mine.