U.S.-spec 2017 CB1100 EX side cover question

[VLJ_imp]

If I recall correctly, the U.S. market has "hand-finished" brushed aluminum side covers, while some other markets get a silver painted version. Are our U.S.-spec side covers finished in a clear coat, or are they raw aluminum?

The reason I ask is I just picked up my bike today after getting new tires and front brake pads installed (during the ride home there was literally zero brake squeal, so fingers crossed that the new EBC HH sintered metal pads and CRC Brake Disc Quiet treatment have permanently eliminated this issue), and I noticed what looked like an enormous number of brand-new scratches on my left-side cover. The right-side cover is still perfect. Looking it over closely with the mechanic, we discovered that the scratches didn't feel like actual scratches. We couldn't feel any surface irregularities with our fingernails, which led him to wonder whether there is a clear coat over the aluminum, and perhaps the clear coat is cracking.

Sound plausible? If so, I assume this would be covered under warranty, right?

[Guth_imp]

I'm under the impression that warranties don't usually cover paint/finishes. Someone else here is bound to know for sure.

[alprider]

somehow i would like to see a pic....and its not only fine dirt in the fine handbrushed grooves ?

[VLJ_imp]

Definitely not fine dirt. It looks like a bunch of cat scratches, in a spider-web pattern. The bike has to be in direct bright sunlight for the scratches to be visible. I'll try to take a picture sometime today.

[Houtman_imp]

I just took a side cover of my 2017 CB 1100 and yes they are aluminum and if you look very carefully you can see the HORIZONTAL brush marks. You can see them more clearly inside the cover.
There is no clear coat on them as far as I can see PERHAPS a very light satin clear coat but I do not think so.
Just compare the two side covers on your bike after you take them of and than you could see if one of them is scratched.

[VLJ_imp]

Houtman, there is zero doubt that the left side cover is scratched, while the right side cover is not scratched. The scratches are plain as day, and they're vertical, diagonal, angled, squiggly, etc. They're completely random, like the checking you see in the nitrocellulose finish on an older Gibson guitar.

[Houtman_imp]

Houtman, there is zero doubt that the left side cover is scratched, while the right side cover is not scratched. The scratches are plain as day, and they're vertical, diagonal, angled, squiggly, etc. They're completely random, like the checking you see in the nitrocellulose finish on an older Gibson guitar.

If this happened while at the dealer they should give you a new side cover !

[Cormanus]

They should, unless, of course, it's a Honda finish issue and they've crazed over time. In that case, in my view, Honda should replace it. But, I'll bet they'll fight it.

[VLJ_imp]

It wasn't a dealer, it was a local repair shop. He swears he never touched the side cover. "All I did was change the tires and front brake pads. I was never anywhere near the side of the bike."

I believe him. I also agree with Cormanus. Honda should replace it, but they probably will fight it. I checked the price of the cover. $143, tax included.

[VLJ_imp]

Hmm. Apparently I've forgotten how to post pictures. I thought the ubb code was the jpeg address inside the bracketed img and /img. No?