Harley Davidson question, please help!?

Question

After owning metric sport bikes my enitre life I finally broke down and purchased a 2008 H-D Street Bob. The other day the chrome cap covering the swing arm bolt/nut came off and I discovered some rust in the hole. the bike only has 800 miles on it so I have a bit of concern. The dealership told me it was no big deal and that its common and thats why they have the cover. I hardly trust them thats why I came here to get an honest answer. The rust appears to only be surface flash rust. Is this common? Should it be something that I should be concerned about? I'm not trying to be picky here but after dropping approx 18k on a new bike I don't wanna take any chances. Any insight would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Typical Harley, 800 miles parts are already falling off and its rusting. I would be more concerned about what falls off next. The dealer will tell you its no big deal ? They install cheap parts that rust then cover them up with chrome because they know its going to rust ? If you don't trust the dealer you gave 18 grand to why did you buy from them. Sounds like a typical Harley. They never heard of phosphorous coating ? Figures. My Vic has no rust s**a !

Answer 2

So  he told you the chrome nut covers on your new $18K Harley were to keep you from seeing the rust, huh?  

Congrats on buying a real bike.

Answer 3

Your lucky it is a HD and only surface rust, if it was a busa they would have to weld it and repaint it.

Answer 4

A little surface rust in a hidden area is common, and nothing to worry about.

You could give it a shot of WD-40 to r****d the rust before you pop the cover back on.

You may find flash rust on the back side of some of the chrome pieces too. Battery cover, heat shields, horn cover.

Answer 5

The surface rust has nothing to do with a Harley. It is a normal process for all metal parts exposed to the atmosphere....commonly referred to as oxidation. It hasppens to bare metal lparts on HD/HOnda/Ford mustangs/Toyota's bridges/girders/RR tracks yadah yadah yadah.If it really is bugging you then get some emory cloth and hit the surface rust off the offending pce. Follow that up with clear varnish/nail polish or the like. Once the exposed metal part is cleared off of its flash rust and coated with the protectorant then it will be fine for many many years.

THis is not an occasion to blast HD products .

Look at the weld joints that are for the mostpart covered with multi coats of paint/clear coat on top of that....They will rust first in regards to painted surfaces of your bike...Muffler clamps etc etc all will rust very very quicklyl...Exposed metal to water and atmospheric moisture is a sure thing for this...This applies to all makes and models from Europe/Japan et al.No big deal at all. YOu are not talking about the cancer rust that goes through automobile fenders/quarterpanels here

Answer 6

no worries! congrats on a real bike!!

Answer 7

No problem. CNC guy is one of the local HD bashers. He doesn't really know anything. He has a Victory, that kinda self explanatory.

Answer 8

Nice bike, no worrie's. Don't listen to the hater's there just jealous, welcome to the hd brotherhood (ride safe)