Would you buy a used bike from a salt water area?

[CLL375]

I've been looking at getting a 3 yr old Harley from a guy who brought the bike from Hawaii (one owner). The bike is a very low price because its just dirty from what I can tell. He is in med school and says he never rides it and can't justify keeping the insurance on it. I spoke to him and he said the front spokes and some aluminum pieces are a little oxidized. I asked if there was any rust and he said there wasn't any. I've very mechanically inclined so the whole thing (not motor or trans) will be torn apart anyway for maintenance. I don't mind a little work to get it clean but I don't want to pour a ton of money into it...at least not on cleaning it.

Anyone here live near a salt water area....whats it do to the bike? I know what is does to my boat but it's in the water.

[toorglide]

has he sent you any pics of the corrosion he's talking about. ive seen neglected bikes where the heads and much of the chrome had anodized and corroded the surface finish. i think once that happens all you can do is powder coat or re-chrome or replace

if the price is right, just figure what you'll spend to get it to "bike of the month" status or make it a rat bike

[CLL375]

I've seen pictures but not very good ones. He said the front wheel (spokes) is the worst part. Luckily its a Night Train so there isn't much chrome.

[Strat HD]

I worked on the Miss. gulf coast after Katrina for a year and a half. I was in an RV but my bike had to sit outside under a cover. Polished the chrome way more than usual as I was aware of what salt air can do. I had TP engineering rocker boxes on the bike and they went to hell, pitted badly. The chrome air cleaner insert on my bike also pitted. Both of these parts are in my avitar pic as it is an old pic. So now I have $800 rocker boxes that can't even be powdercoated because they are pitted so bad. Amazingly enough all the HD chrome was unaffected, just the "show chrome". HD chrome does'nt have the mirror finish that the fancy chrome has but I will say it is much more durable. A little off topic but worth a mention.

[CLL375]

Thats good info Strat, thanks. Detailing is my thing so cleaning it will be challenging yet fun. If I get it most of the chrome will come off the get powder coated any way.

[Crocodile56]

3 years old......even if the bike was kept right on the beach it should be fine!

3 years ain't bad.......5 years well that's a different story!

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[JimP]

I've heard that the salt sea air can have some of the same effects as the road salt up north can have, but to Crocs point, it just may take a little longer.

[Ironhead]

first thing I would do is wash the entire bike with a mixture of water and baking soda

[vlade]

paint wont be the problem it'll be raw metal that suffers inside the tubing and places that paint dont get too.

[CLL375]

first thing I would do is wash the entire bike with a mixture of water and baking soda

Good idea. I heard that water and vinegar works well too. Have you ever heard of this?

[TheBoss]

Where is the bike now? If it's local, lets ride over and look at it.

[CLL375]

Where is the bike now? If it's local, lets ride over and look at it.

I wish it was here in town but its outside of San Antonio. I'm headed there in the morning to look at it and grab some great food.

[Glyde]

Good idea. I heard that water and vinegar works well too. Have you ever heard of this?

Depends what you are washin'..................................just sayin'

[CRAIGERHD]

Thats good info Strat, thanks. Detailing is my thing so cleaning it will be challenging yet fun. If I get it most of the chrome will come off the get powder coated any way.

While it's apart, you could take a look at applying some oil spray, (drip-less) it can be sprayed in the frame tubes and nooks & crannys.

As stated, the bikes only 3 yrs old, tear it down,wash er up and oil spray the bare steel & yer good to go.Don't forget the swing arm assembly & pivot shaft.

[Osco*]

You said a
Vey low price right ??
Does the Bike pull your soul a bit,,,
If so go for it,,