(WTF) What caused this???

CuDaMaN · 02-05-2010, 11:57 AM

I'm baffled

So, I keep the bike in an outside secured enclosure that is not heated and is vented to allow natural outside airflow.

The bikes been in there all winter with battery tender on. I detailed it before putting it away, and everything was perfectly cleaned, waxed, and polished. I go in and out of there from time to time, and I always look over everything while I'm there. Up till now, everything's been normal, even up till a couple days ago.
Then I go in yesterday and find this on the cooling fins and some on the trans case. Nothing else on any other aluminum parts. No work has been done in this area, or spraying anything of any kind, AND.... it's only on certain aluminum parts, but not others........

(Looks like dried road salt)

SO........ you get the idea..........

First fear was pitting of the actual metal, but you can see in the 3rd pic that I was able to get one of the upper fins pretty well cleaned up in a couple minutes time. Still needs work to be perfect.......

My first thought is that because of the moisture in the air having picked up some of the road salt thats been used in my area because of the snow, maybe that's what caused this to happen. But if so, then why not on all aluminum parts instead of just the areas that I found? Maybe some sort of electrolysis in the metals???
We're getting ready for another snow blast here in Maryland, but as soon as it's over, I'll be out there buffing the crap out of all the affected areas to get it back to show condition!!!!!!

Greg

BWG56 · 02-05-2010, 12:02 PM

I know exactly what happened, somebody took that bad boy out for a ride without you knowing about it.
seriously though thats wierd

kickstart · 02-05-2010, 12:04 PM

Check this.

http://engineer.cmiwaterfront.com/wh..._corrosion.pdf

linx · 02-05-2010, 12:07 PM

I keep mine stored indoors and it has done it a bit...not a lot like that, but a bit.
That's a cool link Kickstart posted.

By the way...man...those reflectors have got to go!!!

BWG56 · 02-05-2010, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kickstart

Check this.

http://engineer.cmiwaterfront.com/wh..._corrosion.pdf

Well that about sums it up. good info

BWG56 · 02-05-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linx

I keep mine stored indoors and it has done it a bit...not a lot like that, but a bit.
That's a cool link Kickstart posted.

By the way...man...those reflectors have got to go!!!

The stickers are still on too.

skidmark racing · 02-05-2010, 12:14 PM

radiation from the reflectors

linx · 02-05-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidmark racing

radiation from the reflectors

haha....

CuDaMaN · 02-05-2010, 12:48 PM

The first pic (Storage) is an old one.

Now, back on topic......... So I skimmed the link that Kickstart posted on dissimilar metals causing such a reaction. Great link by the way!!!
Question now is, has this happened to anyone else and what to do to prevent it??? Does having the tender hooked up all the time contribute to this?? I'm just throwing some questions out there........ This is all new to me......
Thanks....

Cruise-Mate · 02-05-2010, 12:54 PM

Do you have a pool and store chlorine in the same shed? I know of one case where a brand new bike needed complete chrome replacement after storing his bike in shed with pool chlorine (ouch).

CuDaMaN · 02-05-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruise-Mate

Do you have a pool and store chlorine in the same shed? I know of one case where a brand new bike needed complete chrome replacement after storing his bike in shed with pool chlorine (ouch).

SHEEEESH..... don't say that...LOL
No pool & no chlorine...... Chrome is fine, it's the aluminum.

MN K9 · 02-05-2010, 01:08 PM

I had a NOS rear valance for my 70 Mustang stored in my cousin's shed along with his parts (he's my paint and body work guy). He set it on top of a bag of cement or something like that. When I pulled the valance out of the box to use it, there was about 6-8 inches MISSING. It had corroded right off.
I would really take a look at what's in the shed around your bike.

erldawg · 02-05-2010, 01:09 PM

It's possible that the corrosion could be galvanic reaction.
Remove battery and place it on a tender with a piece of wood under it.
Any chemicals in the blue 5 gallon containers?

I have my bike stored out in a shed as well but it's in a bubble with desecant bags and I have the battery removed.
I would think that if it was moisture in the air then more of the bike would be effected. How are the hand controls any oxidation there?
In the meantime you may consider a little WD-40 on the engine, not sure if it'll help but it may.
Or it could be radiaiton from the reflectors as skid pointed out......

mastiff09 · 02-05-2010, 01:13 PM

I have had this happen to my bikes during certain winter months. I think it is rapid oxidation due to temperature swings. I noticed this happen to my bikes during milder winters where the temps would rise from say 15 to 40 in a day. I can always polish the crap off without problems. If it were me, I wouldn't do any cleaning or polishing until the metal warms up though.

RCAdd1ct · 02-05-2010, 01:18 PM

If the battery tender was not a quality device, the battery might be venting acid fumes.

Was there a rotten eggs smell?

02-05-2010, 11:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
CuDaMaN Member Name: Greg Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rockville, md. Posts: 131 My Bike(s): 2008 Ridgeback My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	(WTF) What caused this??? I'm baffled So, I keep the bike in an outside secured enclosure that is not heated and is vented to allow natural outside airflow. The bikes been in there all winter with battery tender on. I detailed it before putting it away, and everything was perfectly cleaned, waxed, and polished. I go in and out of there from time to time, and I always look over everything while I'm there. Up till now, everything's been normal, even up till a couple days ago. Then I go in yesterday and find this on the cooling fins and some on the trans case. Nothing else on any other aluminum parts. No work has been done in this area, or spraying anything of any kind, AND.... it's only on certain aluminum parts, but not others........ (Looks like dried road salt) SO........ you get the idea.......... First fear was pitting of the actual metal, but you can see in the 3rd pic that I was able to get one of the upper fins pretty well cleaned up in a couple minutes time. Still needs work to be perfect....... My first thought is that because of the moisture in the air having picked up some of the road salt thats been used in my area because of the snow, maybe that's what caused this to happen. But if so, then why not on all aluminum parts instead of just the areas that I found? Maybe some sort of electrolysis in the metals??? We're getting ready for another snow blast here in Maryland, but as soon as it's over, I'll be out there buffing the crap out of all the affected areas to get it back to show condition!!!!!! Greg

02-05-2010, 12:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
BWG56 Member Name: Ker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: HUMMELSTOWN, PA. Posts: 681 My Bike(s): 07' Mastiff My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	I know exactly what happened, somebody took that bad boy out for a ride without you knowing about it. seriously though thats wierd __________________ " Whether the job big or small, do it right or not at all."

02-05-2010, 12:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
linx Stay thirsty my friend... Name: Rob Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NashVegas, Tennessee Posts: 369 My Bike(s): 2006 Big Dog K9 My Biker Photos Rep Power: 1	I keep mine stored indoors and it has done it a bit...not a lot like that, but a bit. That's a cool link Kickstart posted. By the way...man...those reflectors have got to go!!! __________________ A big shout out to the Big Dog Biker forum. Thanks for your time and patience. 2006 Yellow K-9

02-05-2010, 12:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cruise-Mate Member Name: Tom Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: MA Posts: 233 My Bike(s): HD Electra Glide My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	Do you have a pool and store chlorine in the same shed? I know of one case where a brand new bike needed complete chrome replacement after storing his bike in shed with pool chlorine (ouch). __________________

02-05-2010, 01:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
erldawg Member Name: Earl Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chittenango,NY Posts: 1,596 My Bike(s): 2008 Big Dog K-9 My Biker Photos Rep Power: 4	It's possible that the corrosion could be galvanic reaction. Remove battery and place it on a tender with a piece of wood under it. Any chemicals in the blue 5 gallon containers? I have my bike stored out in a shed as well but it's in a bubble with desecant bags and I have the battery removed. I would think that if it was moisture in the air then more of the bike would be effected. How are the hand controls any oxidation there? In the meantime you may consider a little WD-40 on the engine, not sure if it'll help but it may. Or it could be radiaiton from the reflectors as skid pointed out...... __________________ It's time to hibernate the Dog

02-05-2010, 12:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
kickstart Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,592 My Bike(s): 05 Bulldog, 07 K9 My Biker Photos Rep Power: 4	Check this. http://engineer.cmiwaterfront.com/wh..._corrosion.pdf

02-05-2010, 12:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
skidmark racing Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 377 My Bike(s): 2007 K-9, and seven others My Biker Photos Rep Power: 3	radiation from the reflectors

02-05-2010, 12:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
CuDaMaN Member Name: Greg Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rockville, md. Posts: 131 My Bike(s): 2008 Ridgeback My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	The first pic (Storage) is an old one. Now, back on topic......... So I skimmed the link that Kickstart posted on dissimilar metals causing such a reaction. Great link by the way!!! Question now is, has this happened to anyone else and what to do to prevent it??? Does having the tender hooked up all the time contribute to this?? I'm just throwing some questions out there........ This is all new to me...... Thanks....

02-05-2010, 01:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
MN K9 Member Name: Kurt Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern MN Posts: 636 My Bike(s): 07 Big Dog K9, 01 HD Road King My Biker Photos Rep Power: 3	I had a NOS rear valance for my 70 Mustang stored in my cousin's shed along with his parts (he's my paint and body work guy). He set it on top of a bag of cement or something like that. When I pulled the valance out of the box to use it, there was about 6-8 inches MISSING. It had corroded right off. I would really take a look at what's in the shed around your bike.

02-05-2010, 01:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
mastiff09 Member Name: Dan Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Western PA Posts: 113 My Bike(s): '09 Big Dog Mastiff, '06 HD Night Train My Biker Photos Rep Power: 1	I have had this happen to my bikes during certain winter months. I think it is rapid oxidation due to temperature swings. I noticed this happen to my bikes during milder winters where the temps would rise from say 15 to 40 in a day. I can always polish the crap off without problems. If it were me, I wouldn't do any cleaning or polishing until the metal warms up though.

02-05-2010, 01:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
RCAdd1ct JAFO Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Richardson, Texas Posts: 354 My Bike(s): '06 HD SG custom, '08 AIH Texas Chopper My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	If the battery tender was not a quality device, the battery might be venting acid fumes. Was there a rotten eggs smell?

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