Aloha all, My partner has a 07 softail standard and noticed that his oil tank has started to chip on the bottom and has told the Dealer and he is replacing it. Now heres the deal, the tank that is chipping is "Chrome" under the paint. Now if this is the standard why do they paint it? What a waste. Has anyone noticed this on their Bike? Makes me wonder if all the tanks are like this. Ric

 

Could be a case of poor chroming and not up to standard . Put it through the paint shop and use it on another model.
Ron

 

I noticed a paint chip on my '06 FXST's oil tank at the very bottom on the spout side about a month ago while doing a 10K maintenance and thought it was strange too that under the paint the tank is chrome. I used some black touch up paint from my car to cover the chip so it won't get worse.

 

Yea, I think you're on the right track here. HD does use the chrome blems for the base of the painted tanks, and we've warrantied a few for paint peeling or chipping.

 

Well Well. I thought I was the only one. My 04 FXST started chipping off on the bottom edge of the tank also. Sounds like a problem with HD paint on the oil tk. Mines black with chrome look under. I thought it was strange to be chrome and thought it was alum. Is it a true chrome? Been touching up with black auto paint my self and a good match but a temp solution to a permanant problem as getting worse. Will have to pull one day and pait or chrome for sure.

 

Problem more than likely is that chrome needs a couple of additional processes for paint to stick. Actually it's the primer you want to make stick, and it needs to be special primers for chrome, stainless, and aluminum. I bet they run it through with the same process as any steel part and hope for the best. Sometimes you get lucky, but most times not.
Ron