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[Sledge]

I'll guess it will be 34% yes like the flaky case paint issue.

[grc]

I'll guess it will be 34% yes like the flaky case paint issue.

Are you starting to get the feeling that H-D is a little flaky?  Trust me, you aren't alone.


Jerry

[mark]

Make sure the area where you store your bike is free of chemicals, fertilizers, etc.  My pool chemicals, stored in same garage with my bike, did thousands in chrome damage.

[grc]

Make sure the area where you store your bike is free of chemicals, fertilizers, etc.  My pool chemicals, stored in same garage with my bike, did thousands in chrome damage.

I've heard of dealers and Harley trying to blame all the chrome problems on things like this, but it always leads me right back to a very simple and basic question about such allegations.  Did any and all other chromed parts in that garage also fail, or just the Harley chrome?  I know the answer in my own case, and it doesn't support Harley's stance.  When the chrome on the wife's car, which actually goes out into the salty slush in the winter, comes through totally unscathed and the Harley chrome is pitted, I'm not buying the "environment" defense as put forth by Harley.  If it was environment, all my chromed sockets hanging on the wall should be piles of rust by now, or the chrome on the old bicycles hanging from the ceiling in that same garage should be flaked off and gone by now.  But those items are just fine.  The only thing in the garage that seems to have a problem is the Harley.

Anyhow, your point is a good one if your talking about seriously corrosive chemicals, as they might attack a lot more than just cheap Harley chrome.  Probably a good idea to store such chemicals in a separate shed.


Jerry

[Fast FLHX]

The welds on my passenger sissy bar are starting to get surface rust.

[mark]

I've heard of dealers and Harley trying to blame all the chrome problems on things like this, but it always leads me right back to a very simple and basic question about such allegations.  Did any and all other chromed parts in that garage also fail, or just the Harley chrome?  I know the answer in my own case, and it doesn't support Harley's stance.  When the chrome on the wife's car, which actually goes out into the salty slush in the winter, comes through totally unscathed and the Harley chrome is pitted, I'm not buying the "environment" defense as put forth by Harley.  If it was environment, all my chromed sockets hanging on the wall should be piles of rust by now, or the chrome on the old bicycles hanging from the ceiling in that same garage should be flaked off and gone by now.  But those items are just fine.  The only thing in the garage that seems to have a problem is the Harley.

Anyhow, your point is a good one if your talking about seriously corrosive chemicals, as they might attack a lot more than just cheap Harley chrome.  Probably a good idea to store such chemicals in a separate shed.


Jerry

Yes I'm sure it was the chemicals...it corroded other metals in the garage too, including my stainless steel brake rotors.  Additionally, I spoke to two Harley dealers in different states about the issue (I'm sceptical by nature too).  The first thing both asked was about pool chemicals...both said they've seen this before.  Before buying their excuse, I did a little research and found that chemiclas that end in "ine" don't play well with metal (ex., chlorine).

[miker]

I busted a gut when I heard the "chrome has pores and needs to be sealed and polished" or "we only warranty one piece of chrome"..

Good grief, they have no pride at all.....

[9 1/2 Beers]

 They told me  "you live close to the ocean"  
 

[grc]

I busted a gut when I heard the "chrome has pores and needs to be sealed and polished" or "we only warranty one piece of chrome"..

Good grief, they have no pride at all.....

Not only that, they have no shred of honesty either.  I love the latest BS they've been spreading over the past year or so, blaming ocean air for any chrome defects on bikes in states that abut the ocean.  Doesn't seem to matter if the bike is located on the other side of the state, several hundred miles from the nearest salt water.  I guess if you live in Atlanta, you'd better not expect Harley to replace your pitted and flaking chrome just because that nasty ocean air may have floated over and contaminated your Harley, and then only the chrome plated aluminum parts, not the stainless or the paint or anything else.

Mark, I agree if you have seriously caustic chemicals in an enclosed area it is not a good idea to store your bike or anything else you value in there.  My comments weren't meant to dispute what you said about your particular experience.  My gripe is with the crooks in Milwaukee who have tried to use any lie or excuse, no matter how unscientific, to slither out of responsibility for their lousy quality.  If the environmental conditions are truly the cause of the problem, then there should be damage to a lot of other stuff besides just the chrome bits and pieces on the Harley.  And yet in many, many cases the only damage noted and reported has been to some, but not necessarily all, of the chrome plated parts on the bike.  Can't get much more obvious than that.


Jerry

[2018_FLTRXSE]

They told me  "you live close to the ocean"  
 

Not like we can get away from that...

Howzit Marty!

[Sledge]

Oh crap, this is not looking good at all.  Only a few votes but fer cryin' out loud!

[dlaws01]

When chroming aluminum, a "flash plating" of copper is required in order to ensure proper molecular bonding of the chrome.  Some plating shops skip this process and the result is the chrome separating from the base metal.  As far as chrome being porous and needing to be sealed, I find that difficult to believe.  Talk to guys that have been in the plating business or research it on the internet.  Think of the flash plating of copper ( approx. .0005" to .001" thick ) as doing the same thing primer does for paint.

[Trapperdog]

They told me  "you live close to the ocean"  
 

That's what they told me also. 30 miles away from the ocean(as the crow flies) and an 1800' mountain range in between

[1sharprdkg]

Rear cylinder exhaust heat shield pitted...was replaced free even tho bike was out of warranty. 

[2018_FLTRXSE]

When chroming aluminum, a "flash plating" of copper is required in order to ensure proper molecular bonding of the chrome.  Some plating shops skip this process and the result is the chrome separating from the base metal.  As far as chrome being porous and needing to be sealed, I find that difficult to believe.  Talk to guys that have been in the plating business or research it on the internet.  Think of the flash plating of copper ( approx. .0005" to .001" thick ) as doing the same thing primer does for paint.

Copper

Nickle

Chrome