Front forks pitting?

[MB1953]

I have been noticing the silver finish on the front forks of my '17 TriGlide pitting. It looked like the typical bug stuff, that came off relatively easily during my weekly wash, but now it is through the silver coat and down to the aluminum underneath. On my '14, when things got rough, I used Mothers or White Diamonds polish on a Mothers Powerball, and everything came to look new, but the '17 seems to be a lot worse through the silver and down to the aluminum.

Anyone else seen this? I was told by a few others that on a '17 that is 16 months old with 17K miles that it should be a warranty issue. It wasn't like this when I had it to the dealer for my 15K service; maybe I'll ask when I go in for my 20K service.

thanks,

 

[Jack Klarich]

Tho it is cosmetic, some dealers have stepped up

Best of luck to you

 

[Rollin Thunder]

YUP ! What jack said

 

[DK Custom Products]

The official HD rule is that if you can see the cosmetic blemish (not caused by road hazard) from a distance of 3 feet or more- it is covered by the factory 24 month warranty.

If any dealership tells you differently, either educate them or go to a different dealership.

Kevin

 

[HDB0B]

I see you live in Florida .... and as such you are exposed a lot more to SALT and SAND. I would recommend that you put a sealer on your front forks and wheels. I personally use Zaino Clear Seal. For what we paid the front forks and wheels should have been chromed. :laugh:

http://www.zainostore.com/product/Z-CS.html

Bob orag:

 

[Jack Klarich]

The official HD rule is that if you can see the cosmetic blemish (not caused by road hazard) from a distance of 3 feet or more- it is covered by the factory 24 month warranty.

If any dealership tells you differently, either educate them or go to a different dealership.

Kevin

My dealer said he would warranty the front forks up to the 2 year warranty

Also if I pay a nominal fee he could up grade me to chrome

 

[ultrafxr]

Unfortunately not uncommon for folks who live near near the ocean and in a warm humid climate such as Florida. We have friends in Palm Beach who we ride with most every year and the front forks on both their bikes have similar problems. I would imagine you can hold it off somewhat by meticulous cleaning and very frequent application of a protective coating but it's probably a losing battle in the end.

 

[1dn5up]

Front forks oxidizing under the clear coat

I rub them down smooth with a scotch bright pad , then just reclear coat them. Did the same on the wheels, front and back with black rustoleum rattle can. 3yrs later they still look fine. Not into the aluminum polishing rutine, bought it to ride ! orag:

 

[dartref]

Had the same problem. My dealer replaced under warranty, then only charged me the difference to upgrade to chrome. Now, after almost a year, no more problems and they still look great!

 

[vito]

I have been noticing the silver finish on the front forks of my '17 TriGlide pitting. It looked like the typical bug stuff, that came off relatively easily during my weekly wash, but now it is through the silver coat and down to the aluminum underneath. On my '14, when things got rough, I used Mothers or White Diamonds polish on a Mothers Powerball, and everything came to look new, but the '17 seems to be a lot worse through the silver and down to the aluminum.

Anyone else seen this? I was told by a few others that on a '17 that is 16 months old with 17K miles that it should be a warranty issue. It wasn't like this when I had it to the dealer for my 15K service; maybe I'll ask when I go in for my 20K service.

thanks,

As others said, it's common in Florida. New ones will do the same so that's temporary. Forget chrome, it pits as bad just takes longer. Remember we live on a sand dune with salt spray. Black powder coat seems to hold up best or at least the pits don't show as bad. H-D offers a tape-like clear shield for fenders, etc.. maybe something like it for forks??

 

[MB1953]

As others said, it's common in Florida. New ones will do the same so that's temporary. Forget chrome, it pits as bad just takes longer. Remember we live on a sand dune with salt spray. Black powder coat seems to hold up best or at least the pits don't show as bad. H-D offers a tape-like clear shield for fenders, etc.. maybe something like it for forks??

As I indicated, I will be bringing this to the dealer's attention when I take it in for my 20K service. A friend did this when her '16 Ultra showed the pitting last year; she did the upgrade to a complete black powdercoat front end for about $150. I will see where it goes for me and post an update. Getting close... got 18K now.

 

[Sunman]

I will throw this out for what it is worth. I still have a 1979 Harley FLH that has aluminum lower fork legs and aluminum rocker boxes as well as some other aluminum parts. Over years these were looking pretty sorry. A few years ago I cleaned them all up really well with 1000 grit sandpaper, aluminum cleaner etc. and got them looking almost like new. Since then, every couple of months I spray them down with WD40 and buff them off. So far they look good and seem to be holding up well. Might be something to try. Just a thought.

Sunman

 

[Jack Klarich]

I will throw this out for what it is worth. I still have a 1979 Harley FLH that has aluminum lower fork legs and aluminum rocker boxes as well as some other aluminum parts. Over years these were looking pretty sorry. A few years ago I cleaned them all up really well with 1000 grit sandpaper, aluminum cleaner etc. and got them looking almost like new. Since then, every couple of months I spray them down with WD40 and buff them off. So far they look good and seem to be holding up well. Might be something to try. Just a thought.

Sunman

A little polish goes a long way

In the old days, like yours

We hand polished the primarys and lower legs

A few beers and a Sunday afternoon we were good to go

I used tranny fluid and realy fine steel wool, folowed by a clay bar

 

[MB1953]

OK, so I went in to the dealer where I bought it (Space Coast HD) and the prepaid Maintenance plan. Service advisor says it is a standard HD corrosion trade-out... new forks as long as the original 2 year warranty is in force. I can upgrade to a complete black powdercoated front end (uppers, lowers, cowbells and top cover for $350.00 out of pocket. Talked to my friend that had the same done and it was the same $350, not $150. So far I am thinking that this is still a good deal.

Any thoughts?

 

[vito]

I will throw this out for what it is worth. I still have a 1979 Harley FLH that has aluminum lower fork legs and aluminum rocker boxes as well as some other aluminum parts. Over years these were looking pretty sorry. A few years ago I cleaned them all up really well with 1000 grit sandpaper, aluminum cleaner etc. and got them looking almost like new. Since then, every couple of months I spray them down with WD40 and buff them off. So far they look good and seem to be holding up well. Might be something to try. Just a thought.Sunman

Good idea if you can keep the WD40 off the brakes. The old "R" series BMW motors oxidized so we used to spray them with WD40 regularly. It worked great. Good tip!!

 

[ISP-FL]

OK, so I went in to the dealer where I bought it (Space Coast HD) and the prepaid Maintenance plan. Service advisor says it is a standard HD corrosion trade-out... new forks as long as the original 2 year warranty is in force. I can upgrade to a complete black powdercoated front end (uppers, lowers, cowbells and top cover for $350.00 out of pocket. Talked to my friend that had the same done and it was the same $350, not $150. So far I am thinking that this is still a good deal.

Any thoughts?

My 2016 is having the same issue. Bought it at Six Bends. I think you should jump all over the deal. I'm going to talk with my selling dealer and see if I can get the same deal. I'll worry about the crappy rims in a year or two but these front forks look horrible for a bike that has been garage kept.

 

[GARYD]

As others said, it's common in Florida. New ones will do the same so that's temporary. Forget chrome, it pits as bad just takes longer. Remember we live on a sand dune with salt spray. Black powder coat seems to hold up best or at least the pits don't show as bad. H-D offers a tape-like clear shield for fenders, etc.. maybe something like it for forks??

That's what I did. I bought an 8' roll of 3M clear shield material for $50 and put some of it on the forks.

As for the wheels, I just bought the H-D Anarchy chrome wheels for the summer and used the $#@% pitted OEM wheels for the winter. I don't care what they look like then.

Harley and any other mfg. that sells a motorcycle with bare aluminum wheels in the rust belt are morons.

 

[rhino 2]

That's what I did. I bought an 8' roll of 3M clear shield material for $50 and put some of it on the forks.

As for the wheels, I just bought the H-D Anarchy chrome wheels for the summer and used the $#@% pitted OEM wheels for the winter. I don't care what they look like then.

Harley and any other mfg. that sells a motorcycle with bare aluminum wheels in the rust belt are morons.

I agree.....After i realized that with my 2011 Tri, I said to myself if i ever get a new Tri, Before i take it out of the showroom i'll have them power coat them black...

But like the best laid plans of men and mice i didn't follow though...:Shrug:

 

[MB1953]

OK, so today I pulled the trigger; called the dealer and had them order the new front end and put me on the schedule. Confirmed that it would be $350 out of pocket. The service manager asked if I wanted black or chrome; told him black. Hung up the phone, then started thinking how good the bike I have already started to black out would look with a black front end. Ten minutes later, he called me back, says "sorry, but HD does not sell a front end kit in black for the trike." The difference is the lowers; 1 1/2" longer on the trike than an ultra. So far I am coming up empty, but I told him to go ahead and get the chrome kit in for me; not my first choice, but better than what I have now.

A friend looked the kits up in the 2017 HD parts manual, and it said the kit fits '14 and up touring except Road King and Road Glide. Evidently that should read "and TriGlide". Anyone have any other information? I need to stick with OEM HD parts to get it covered by HD warranty.

 

[Gorilla]

OK, so today I pulled the trigger; called the dealer and had them order the new front end and put me on the schedule. Confirmed that it would be $350 out of pocket. The service manager asked if I wanted black or chrome; told him black. Hung up the phone, then started thinking how good the bike I have already started to black out would look with a black front end. Ten minutes later, he called me back, says "sorry, but HD does not sell a front end kit in black for the trike." The difference is the lowers; 1 1/2" longer on the trike than an ultra. So far I am coming up empty, but I told him to go ahead and get the chrome kit in for me; not my first choice, but better than what I have now.

A friend looked the kits up in the 2017 HD parts manual, and it said the kit fits '14 and up touring except Road King and Road Glide. Evidently that should read "and TriGlide". Anyone have any other information? I need to stick with OEM HD parts to get it covered by HD warranty.

How about getting your current lowers powder coated black or get a set on Ebay?

 

[ISP-FL]

Went to my dealer yesterday. Service tech looked at my pitted front lower forks and told me "they all do that". Told him what I was reading on here and he said he never heard of Harley replacing pitted parts under the factory warranty. He made a call, I assume to Milwaukee, and explained to someone what I had explained to him. Got off the phone and said they would be covered. Looked up all the parts numbers and got the chrome ordered. I hope he did everything right because my out the door price difference is $126.00 after they install them in about 10 days.

I must have been still thinking about all this chrome stuff when I went to bed last night. I had a dream that Harley started letting TG owners swap out their OEM rims for new chrome ones for just $226 difference!

 

[PosseRider]

Just over 20,000 miles-- no pitting on my 16. Gonna do new chrome with new suspension anyway.

 

[MB1953]

Went to my dealer yesterday. Service tech looked at my pitted front lower forks and told me "they all do that". Told him what I was reading on here and he said he never heard of Harley replacing pitted parts under the factory warranty. He made a call, I assume to Milwaukee, and explained to someone what I had explained to him. Got off the phone and said they would be covered. Looked up all the parts numbers and got the chrome ordered. I hope he did everything right because my out the door price difference is $126.00 after they install them in about 10 days.

I must have been still thinking about all this chrome stuff when I went to bed last night. I had a dream that Harley started letting TG owners swap out their OEM rims for new chrome ones for just $226 difference!

Well, it must be on a dealer-to-dealer basis. Your out the door price of $126.00 is less than 1/2 that of mine at $350.00 Good for you... maybe I will cancel my order at SCHD and take mine to your dealer instead (no,I am done chasing). Of course, Ft. Myers is only about a 5 hour ride for me!

 

[ISP-FL]

Well, like I said the parts won't be in for another 10 days so we will see how much the tab is after they swap them out and I pick it up. The service guy seemed pretty new to me. He was a really great guy to work with but had a little trouble figuring the parts and such.

 

[ISP-FL]

Just over 20,000 miles-- no pitting on my 16. Gonna do new chrome with new suspension anyway.

The Harley's I owned when we lived up north never pitted like this and this 2016 TG is the first new Harley I have ever owned. Except for when we traveled out of state in the summer it was always kept in our garage and we lived about 15 miles from the coast.

Service tech said the new bikes have extra layers of clear coat on the upper part of the front forks and just a thin layer on the lower brushed portion. He said just hitting bugs and stuff will soon wear off the thin layer on the lower part. But that really doesn't make a lot of sense when Florida bikes seem to have this issue and northern bikes don't.

 

[rhino 2]

The Harley's I owned when we lived up north never pitted like this and this 2016 TG is the first new Harley I have ever owned. Except for when we traveled out of state in the summer it was always kept in our garage and we lived about 15 miles from the coast.

Service tech said the new bikes have extra layers of clear coat on the upper part of the front forks and just a thin layer on the lower brushed portion. He said just hitting bugs and stuff will soon wear off the thin layer on the lower part. But that really doesn't make a lot of sense when Florida bikes seem to have this issue and northern bikes don't.

Could it be the Florida Sun [Angle] brake's down the clear coat, Whereas in the North it doesn't...:Shrug:

 

[Rooster57]

have 2016 tri glide....live in Texas; at appx. 9000 miles front lower forks scratched and pitted much with just normal road crud...........replaced with HD chrome forks (They say triple chrome plated and they look it too)...........have put another 9000 miles with these new ones and they are holding up "Most Excellent!".....at least so far no pits, no scratches.....Me likes.

..I think you will too.

 

[prariepilot]

Inexpensive Solution to Pitting

My '13 TGU started pitting about the time the warranty ended. Too much exposure to salt, sand and "love bugs" in FL and road debris all over the U.S. and Canada. So rather than go the expensive replacement route, I lightly sanded; then polished; then waxed. The final coat....Chappers.



They're made of a material similar to the seat coverings and attached by sewn velcro strips. If you are interested, and the card isn't clear enough, it's www.chappersllc.com. Cost me about $50.

 

[ISP-FL]

Dealer completed my fork swap yesterday. Chrome ones installed under factory warranty for a grand total of $128.16. They look extremely good on the front of the TG. Now I have to pick up a couple chrome axle nut covers.

As happy as I was with the swap out and install, had it there for a 9 hour appointment and they could not get to my two other warranty issues. They were suppose to correct the not starting in gear issue plus my trunk lock completely pulled out of the hole. Claimed they were just too busy and I will have to make another appointment when more "parts" come in.

 

[MB1953]

Dealer completed my fork swap yesterday. Chrome ones installed under factory warranty for a grand total of $128.16. They look extremely good on the front of the TG. Now I have to pick up a couple chrome axle nut covers.

As happy as I was with the swap out and install, had it there for a 9 hour appointment and they could not get to my two other warranty issues. They were suppose to correct the not starting in gear issue plus my trunk lock completely pulled out of the hole. Claimed they were just too busy and I will have to make another appointment when more "parts" come in.

I still have 2 weeks to wait for my appointment to get mine replaced. You definitely got a better price than the $300 I was quoted.