Keeping a bike cosmetically clean

Ditto · Nearly there... Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Karma :

Just got my first big bike, its a '98 and still really clean and rust free. Basically no corrosion on it at all.

Well when i had my CG i didnt give it much care and it gathered quite a bit of corrosion in the short time i had it, especially the exhaust.

So how can i keep my new bike looking clean and free from rust? All im doing at the moment is spraying some WD-40 on the exhaust when its looking a bit dirty but i dont think this will keep it the way it is. Im live in Portsmouth by the sea so its quite salty here, only adding to the problem i suspect.

Cheers
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CG 125 > Bandit 600 > CBR 600 FY > Street Triple R

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

you bought a suzi rot box ... i left my gs500 out for 2 evenings..
JESUS!!! the instant corrosion.

I was really suprised, considering my honda cityfly got a little bit rusty in the 6 months i left it out..

buy a cover! or store in a garage, wash it down after a ride, get the crap off it!

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

ACF50 gets good reports.
It won't stop it getting dirty, infact it may make it worse - however it should offer a protective layer which makes the gunk easy to wipe off when you want to.
I've stuck some on my GSXR, but not planning to clean it off for a while.

BlackStallion · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 May 2009 Karma :

Condition wise, mine's the same as yours, and ever since i got it, i've just given it hours of attention Thumbs Up

I washed it when i first got it, on Saturday, even though it didn't need it Laughing

and then applied ACF-50 all over the bike, which i have been using on my 125. You don't need much of the stuff at all, just using the same microfibre cloth that i doused in ACF-50 before the bad weather came, and it still produces the thin gleaming layer of protection. It's suitable for all surfaces, plastic, metal and even on the electrics, because it doesn't contain water, i've coated my wiring with a fine layer Thumbs Up

I applied a fresh blob of ACF-50 to the parts that are more vulnerable against the elements, such as nuts, bolts, swingarm and even the exhaust and downpipes. Since i don't ride mine at the moment, the ACF-50 is preventing corrosion and rust whilst it's not in use, that's why i applied it to the exhaust and downpipes, because if i rode it, the ACF-50 would just burn off, but it still slows the corrosion process down.

I only use WD-40 for the clutch cable, so i don't know how it works as an anti corrosion product, but since i know it's not good for cleaning chains, and it's designed to loosen parts, i'd leave it alone and grab yourself a can of ACF-50 off eBay, mine cost about £13, bought the stuff in November, and the can still feels full Thumbs Up

Apart from that, like Paddy said, keep it under a cover or garaged, preferably in a garage Thumbs Up

I can tell you'll look after your Bandit mate, so it's nice to see. Shame we don't live closer, would of been great to meet up.

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Ditto · Nearly there... Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Karma :

Well just ordered a can of ACF50, will let you know how it goes! If the previous owners have managed to keep the bike virtually free of corrosion for 12 years i want to try and keep it like that!

Is it just applied to any metal bits prone to rusting? So bolts, exhaust, swingarm?
Any need to put it on the engine casing parts?

And yeah would have been good to meet Milkster, if im ever in your neck of the woods or vice versa!
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CG 125 > Bandit 600 > CBR 600 FY > Street Triple R

smegballs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Karma :

MZ's are very rot proof.

Mines lived outside for two years and there is a few spots (I mean small spots) of rust on the zorst and one shock spring (just the one side wierdly) has rusted. The rest of it is exactly the same.

Those germans must be putting something in the chrome....

BanditJeff · Trackday Trickster Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Karma :

The fact it is corrosion free after 12 years shows what a lot of bollocks people say about Bandits (Or Suzuki's in general) rusting to bits in front of your eyes.
Any bike is piss easy to keep looking good if you put a little work in now and again.

BlackStallion · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 May 2009 Karma :

Yeah, if you pass by, give us a shout, if I see you, I'll do the same Smile

what makes your Fazer stand out Paddy then, colour?

Ditto mate, that's it, apply to all the parts that are prone to rust, the nuts, bolts, swingarm and even the exhaust and downpipes, despite the fact that you'll be riding it, and it will burn off, if you put a little back on, after riding, and for whilst it's garages, I'd say it's the best you can do Thumbs Up

As for the engine casing, yeah definitely, I apply my ACF-50 everywhere, the frame, tank, handlebars, pegs, headlight, engine casing, everything lol. EXCEPT THE BRAKES, it's important you remember that mate, because I accidentally got some on my front brake disc on my 125, and trying to wipe it off, just wipes it in, brakes were jerky, and at high speed braking on a 600, I can't bare to think what would happen, you just need to ride slowly, gently apply the brakes until it's off Thumbs Up

Could always arrange a meet up, be a nice ride Cool

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

rac3r · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Wax/Polish the painted parts and as said ACF50. What I do is after a ride, before putting it in the garage I give it a wipe down then wipe again with and ACF50 covered cloth!

The more you clean the better it should stay Thumbs Up

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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

BlackStallion · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 May 2009 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

If you use it everyday rain or shine you have little chance of keeping it corrosion free especially if you dont have a garage. Best you can do is hose it down and acf50 it in the winter and spend a fe hours a month cleaning it in the summer. Judging by the pictures of you bike it was really looked after, kept in a garge and rarely ridden in the rain. It it is outside by a decent heavy duty cover (£50+)

I'm not sure spraying WD40 in the exhaust will do much other than make it dull when it is burnt off. If you want to keep it in good knick polish it with autoso or similarl. I don't think you can use anythign to protect the downpipe as they get so hot.

Where in Portsmouth are you? I used to live in Fratton.
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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.

Ditto · Nearly there... Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Karma :

Ok cheers, live in Southsea, about 5 min walk away from the Lidl next to the Shell garage!

Or a 20 second ride away. Mwahaha
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CG 125 > Bandit 600 > CBR 600 FY > Street Triple R

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Contrary to my slapdash approach to all things in life, i find spending 10mins after each ride has kept my 30yr old bike shiny. giving it a wash and wipe and WD40.
Autosol every month or so on the chrome(not fork stanchions) Red coloured polish every quarter.
Bike is ridden most days in all weathers.
Ballache when its freezing cold or raining, but its always good to go for the next day.
No garage Sad

Pat
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Ditto · Nearly there... Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Karma :

Yeh, well id say about 300 metres away from Francis Avenue. Not giving away my road on t'internet Wink

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CG 125 > Bandit 600 > CBR 600 FY > Street Triple R

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

dodger · Traffic Copper Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

An hour on a Saturday suits me....but I guess I've had practice perfecting my routine. Shifty

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

The Tot · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Karma :

If you DO plan to use ACF 50 and ride in a LOT of spray, it will look like your bike has been totally raped by the weather. What I do then is to give the bike a moderate dusting down to remove the grit and then remove the residual muck with WD40/GT85.

Use a toothbrush on the axle pinch bolts and spindles to avoid getting it on your disk.

If you DO get ACF 50 on your disks, use brake cleaner to remove it. Ride in a long straight line applying the front brakes to burn it off. THAT or ride on a clear bit of road and brake HARD from 40-50 a few times.

My bikes have survived winters outside in the snow and rain with a torn cover without much visible corrosion.

What with all the salt around, I'd keep a very close eye on your fork sliders and keep them as clean as possible. Scratch the chrome and you'll have good sites for pitting to occur. Once that start's your buggered.

Superficial corrosion on pegs and controls etc can wait until summer to be removed. It's all about taking preventative measures on the vital areas that counts.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

I've acf 50'd my brakes many times and not had a problem it burns off quickly.
____________________
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.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Actually I think it was FS365 but it's the same stuff basically.
____________________
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.