Not looking after my bike properly

[borolad]

I work mainly split shifts, 10 till 3, and 5 till 10, 5 days a week, I use my bike for work on those days, on my 2 days off I then wash my bike, but I am worried that its too long from it getting dirty and its just going to deappreciate rapidly, its a 08 plate suzuki bandit 650 faired.

I also noticed today my chain was rusty, and my brake callipers were rusty, I used chain cleaner about 2 months ago and then used a chain wax on it but it obviously needs doing more than I thought.

I am new to biking, owned the bike for about 9 months now and learning all the time, but would like to know how to look after my bike before its too late, I visited my riding school and the instructor says I should spray WD40 on the callipers, but I thought that wouldn't be wise for incase it goes on the pads?

I understand it is natural for a bike to deappreciate when your using it everyday like I do, but I would like to do what I can to slow that process down, my bike is covered over when parked up aswell.
____________________
Suzuki GSF650SA

[c-m]

I try to do my chain ever week or 170miles.

You could get one of these
https://www.tutorochainoiler.com/_wp_generated/wp2352a6ca.png
https://www.tutorochainoiler.com/index.html

I used something similar for a 5500mile ride. Worked great.

To protect the bike form rust and to stop corrosion, cover it in ACF50 (not the brakes and tyres) It works even if corrosion has already set in. I think the common method is to spray it on a rag and run that around a clean bike.

Hope that helps a bit. We all have to learn sometime and I have had bikes suffer in the past.

[LordShaftesbu...]

Wouldn't worry about it, no matter how much you love it scum kids will eventually find it and destroy it, simply because they can

[LeeR]

I reckon it's difficult to keep on top of and keep your bike at it's best. I use my bike weekdays and don't see daylight until Spring apart from at the weekends so there is little opportunity to give it attention.

However, I give it a good clean every 6-8 weeks and rinse it off almost every evening, give it a spray over with Scottoiler F365, and lube the forks/shock with GT85, then clean the discs and calipers with brake cleaner.

Last year I fitted a Scottoiler MK7 (now superceded by the V-type) and that's sorted the chain, never needs cleaning or lubing. I have the lubetube additional reservoir so it'll go 3,000 miles between fill-ups.

It helps to a point, but given the amount of shit of on the roads something will seize or leak over Winter. Last year it was front brakes and clutch slave cylinder, this year it's the back brake so guess what I'm doing today.

Oh and if it's inconvenient to get a hose out, buy a large greenhouse plant spraying or the Hozelock "portable carwash" from Halfords, B&Q etc...

Having said all that it feels like a loosing battle and I can't wait for April/Spring.
____________________
My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[stinkwheel]

Unfortunately, you chose a Suzuki on which the finish is poorer than most.

An automatic chain oiler would be ideal. Failing that you need to be lubing it with something much more often than you are. Even if it's just spray or plain, ordinary oil. The usual advice is every 300 miles or so and the lube is best applied when you get home.

For the use you describe. I'd suggest scotoil F365 corrosion inhibitor might be a good idea. Spray it all over the bike every time you get home, especially bits likely to corrode like the shock and the fork legs.

Doesn't matter if you get a bit on the brakes, just be aware they will be less effective the first couple of times you use them until it's burned off. Try not to get it on the tyre treads but it's not the end of the world if you do.

I keep some in one of those pump-up garden sprayers just inside the door so if I come back from a run with the bike covered in salt and don't have the time/inclination to rinse it off, I can just give it a quick spray.
https://hymaticagro.com/1.5lt_sprayer_small.jpg

Washing then thoroughly treating the whole bike with ACF50 would be another option (there are a few threads on how best to do this). The F365 is water based and needs to be reapplied regularly. The ACF50 is more waxy and will stay on for a while, just topping up where it gets blasted off.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[borolad]

Thankyou for the replies guys really appreciate it, going to use FS365 and clean and lube my chain fortnightly
____________________
Suzuki GSF650SA

[Villers]

Don't worry so much! Bikes depreciate, it happens wether your washing it or your in the pub. It happens while you're at work or in bed. One of those things.

If you are worrying about things rusting then to be honest Suzuki probably wasnt the way to go! Cover it in ACF50 and ride it and enjoy it.
____________________
RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[neil.]

+1 Be good to your chain. I clean/lube it once a week (I ride 250-300 miles a week), but in this weather it still gets a bit of surface rust so I'm getting a Loobman. Also check that the tension is okay and adjust it properly if it isn't. Clean the bike, ACF50 it then leave it for a couple of months (but still look after your chain). You can wipe ACF50 on the callipers, fasteners etc, but be careful not to get it on the pads. It'll look like crap but when you clean it again it'll come up pretty nice.

Maintenance-wise, get it serviced regularly as there's plenty of 'under the bonnet' stuff that needs doing, and in winter you'll find stuff tends to go wrong/seize up more often - my back drum brake locked up and needed a bit of an overhaul (strip/clean/re-grease). Just keep an eye on things to make sure everything's 'moving' as it should, and at the very least, remember your 'POWDER' checks - Petrol, Oil, Water (if you have a radiator), Damage, Electrics (test lights, horn etc), Rubber (tyres).
____________________
CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Ingah]

[borolad]

Thanks for your help, going to buy some chain cleaner and oil now and ACF50
____________________
Suzuki GSF650SA

[chris-red]

It's a suzuki it could rust in a bone dry sealed room It depends how you view the bike.

I have a TDM I used for work and I rarely clean that it is a workhorse I CBA spending time cleaning it when it will only get dirty again very quickly.

On the other hand I have a Speed Four I use for fun on sunny days and I clean this often because I don't ride it often I can get away with cleaning it when it gets a little dirty and it is in top condition.


Basically do you want a workhourse that will get you from A-B or a lovely shinney bike to show off. I see the appeal to both and have both. It is VERY hard and time consuming to keep a bike you use in all weathers clean and corrosion free.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[neil.]

I agree with what Chris said, for my workhorse I just try and keep the essentials working well - mechanical bits and bobs. Anything cosmetic is low priority. Also, use paraffin and a stiff brush instead of dedicated chain cleaners, you'll save tons of money.
____________________
CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)