Has anyone had problems with finish on the rear wheel of a soft tail custom??
I have 750 miles on my 2 month old Harley and have noticed streaking and circular defects in the finish, in spite of applying recommended cleaner/polish.
2007-10-13 15:59:06 · 8 answers · asked by MeganChrista 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
According to the dealer, they don't guarantee the finish on the wheels....?! >:(
2007-10-13 16:24:10 · update #1
I'm guessing it's a aluminum wheel. You have to be careful what cleaners you use on aluminum. Ammonia can stain the metal and can be extremely difficult to remove. Hard water with mineral deposits can do the same, like some well water. You might try a good grade "aluminum polish" with a power ball buffer that goes on the end of a hand drill. It will take some doing as you are actually trying to remove enough metal to get below the stain. Just like when rubbing out oxidation from a paint job your buffer or rag turns the color of the paint because you are actually removing a minuet amount of paint.
Chrome is tough to stain so that's why I'm assuming aluminum. With either you could try 0000 steel wool to remove a blemish and then a polishing compound to remove the scratches the steel wool left. This might depend on just how highly polished the aluminum was originally. You may not be able to match the original luster the manufacturer got. So use your discretion and first try it on a hidden part.
Problem with being under warranty is if the dealer can determine the stain to be caused by you it won't be covered as a defect. But even then if you make enough noise at enough different levels you'll probably get your way. Go to different dealerships, they compete and want your business for you next bike and accessories. If that doesn't work try contacting Milwaukee and tell them it was stained when you got the motorcycle and you just didn't notice until the first time you washed the bike and you can't get satisfaction from your dealership. There's a good chance Daddy will hand down a spanking and you'll get your new wheel.
2007-10-14 03:04:05 · answer #1 · answered by puttndutchman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Harley Softail with the Evo 1340 motor is a very reliable bike. I have a '99 Softail Springer and it's been almost bulletproof and has 33,000 miles on it. Did put synthetic oil in mine and the rocker box gaskets leaked and I had to replace them. I replaced them with Cometic gaskets and haven't had a problem since using the synthetic oil. With 13,000 miles on it I would suspect the owner has changed the exhaust and had the carb rejetted. Stock bikes without that done are few and far between. Change all the fliuds; primary, transmission and engine oil and filter unless the owner has a written receipt it was done recently. Remember to use the older oil filter (H-D part # 63796-77A) and not the new 5 micron one for the twin cam bikes. The oil system isn't set up for the finer filtering of the newer filter and there could be an oil circulation problem through the filter. The filters have a bypass mechanism but if that happens your bike isn't getting it's oil filtered. Change those fluids regulary (2500 miles for the filter and engine oil and 5000 miles for the primary and transmission oil) and that bike will last you for quite some time. Get a shop manual and look through it and you'll find that with just a little mechanical ability you can maintain the bike yourself saving a lot of $$$'s over the years.
2016-05-22 07:44:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a wet cell battery, check to see if there is fluid comming out the overflow.
I had a battery that overflowed acid onto the rear wheel and it caused etching.
If that is the case, H.D. will have to refinish or replace your wheel.
2007-10-14 09:13:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They should guarantee wheels if only 2 month old! its under warrantied isn't it have them replace it! at there cost! if you didn't damage wheel they should replace it!
2007-10-14 00:38:29 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you sure you didn't drive through a puddle of some type of solvent or chemical that was on the road...sounds like it... that's probably what the dealer will tell you.. I doubt they will cover it
2007-10-14 01:57:00 · answer #5 · answered by Robert P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have not seen anything of that nature,but, if you have an issue, take it back to the dealer and have them figure out what it is. They will usually take care of cosmetic defects or flaws. That is the last thing that H-D has going for them....
The high quality finish and appearance.
2007-10-13 16:17:05 · answer #6 · answered by Bigg Dogg 4 · 1⤊ 5⤋
haven't heard anything about wheel finish problems either. i know their chrome has been not too good in the last few years though.
2007-10-13 17:24:50 · answer #7 · answered by viking 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
are you sure someone didn't sabotage it when you had it parked outside when you wasn't around?
2007-10-13 22:13:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋