I noticed this when I was washing my bike the other day, but I didn't realise how bad it was until I took it to the garage for a service. The guy said that some paint has chipped behind the radiator and over time caused some corrosion and spread out, eventually peering around the sides and becoming visible. I ride through winter so the salts done this no good. I've seen in another post (this one: https://www.thetriumphforum.com/threads/engine-casing-chipping-paint.22850/) that Satin black BBQ/wood burning stove paint is an option for painting over chips, but I've never done this before and this isn't exactly a "chip", so not sure what the process is here. I need to get rid of the corrosion. I have Hammerite Rust Remover Gel (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003MF6CKC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - so would you recommend slathering this on, trying to clear up as much of the corrosion as possible with a wire brush and then painting over immediately with the paint? I've no idea how I'm going to get behind radiator to adequately scrub and paint the engine there though. I really don't want this to get any worse because I was actually planning on selling the bike this year and I'm worried this is going to knock some serious bucks off the value.
Afraid not, warranty ran out in October. If I'd had a keener eye I'd probably have noticed it before and taken it to Triumph because there's no way this has only happened in the last 3 months. Gutted.
Ideally you should desmut...... a process normally associated with DD but I digress. https://www.pfonline.com/articles/deoxidizing-aluminum-as-a-pretreatment I would rub down what you can and etch prime https://www.restexpress.co.uk/acata...MI0cbB483g5wIVQ7DtCh2QMgixEAQYByABEgLU4_D_BwE before using a heat resistant top coat. These may help cleaning up https://www.screwfix.com/p/wire-bru...Vi7HtCh25GQl5EAQYAiABEgKNPPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds The aluminium oxide looks ugly but is surprisingly self limiting as the surface layer inhibits deeper corrosion. It always attacks at casing joints where the corrosion lifts the finish.
Have you had your bike serviced at the main dealer while under warranty? Do you have a good relationship with them? If so I would suggest that you ask them for their opinion and see whether they are prepared to approach Triumph to see whether they are prepared to deal with it even if out of warranty. It won't cost anything to ask and you might get a favourable reply. I had a problem when I ran a Tiger 800 which I bought new and had it main dealer serviced. Three months after the warranty ran out I had a problem and Triumph dealt with it, as if the warranty was operative.
Looks good DD. Have to admit I'm nervous about doing anything like this myself. I've never done it before and the chances are good that I'll make a right mess of it. I have to admit I'm a bit scunnered by the whole experience. The Triumph LED indicators that I got have basically fallen apart due to corrosion as well, and they want to charge me £200 to replace them. I wouldn't expect this to happen so soon. The other thing that happened was my steering bearings had to be replaced. Luckily that was caught the month my warranty expired and they covered that. I'm going to see someone who specialises in car paintwork, so I'll see what he says. But I'll also get in touch with Triumph and see if they'll do anything.
Appreciate it, DD Hopefully it doesn't come to that haha I'm only going to see the car-paint guy first because he's local, and there's no commitment. I won't be able to get up to Triumph for at least another week. I'll report back on what they both say.
