Hey guys,

I have a 2004 400ex with about 35 hours on it. I clean the bike after every ride, towel dry it and let it idle for like 5 minutes to get rid of any moisture on the motor. I was cleaning it Sunday and noticed that on two of the front welds, on the posts that are near the oil tank, there is rust. I looked the whole bike over and found rust on other parts of the Frame as well. I have only had the bike since March and I bought it brand new. Is this something I should be worried about? I have the extended Three year warranty so I have no problem bringing it to the dealer and slapping him around if this is a big problem. Please help!

 

Honda's are known for rust. Get some touch-up paint and keep up with it. I have plans to rip my mint 2005 300ex to peices to repaint it with a more durable coat because I'm so sick of the easy scratching and surface rust.

 

I am planning on tearing the bike down this winter and powdercoating the swing arm red and the frame red. I just wasn't sure if the rust was normal on Honda's and if I should worry about the rust eating it's way through the frame. Thanks for your advice

 

A word of advice. Don't powdercoat. Everybody likes it because of durability, but what happens if you HIT A ROCK (like sometimes ATV's do) and somehow manage to scratch the unsratchable? Are you going to buy some "touch-up powdercoat"? Sure, the paint store will sell you the same color, but it won't be a match and won't like to adhere as well to the powdercoated surface. With a durable paint and a few clear coats, you can always touch up, simply by poking a brush into the can the paint came from to begin with! Do what you may, but I advise you to consider what thine hath spoken.

 

I will keep in that in mind thank you