Corrosion

[moto]

Is it possible to get rid of corrosion on wheels and engine casings?

I went to view a bike that had been used as a commuter and I assume the corrosion was caused by salt.

I don't know whether it is permanent or can be improved.

[Frost]

It can of course be removed, but can be a pain to do so. Sanding, brushing or polishing it off are the cheapest ways, but they can take a while.

[DrDonnyBrago]

It can be removed, it will take ages though and if you don't paint it afterwards then you'll need to polish your nutsack off to keep it looking nice.

Wheels can be sandblasted and powdercoated for £40-50 a wheel, or you can strip and polish them for the shiny look (will need to polish regularly).

Engine cases it kind of depends on what you are willing to do, polishing them up regularly will be a PITA unless its just the stator and clutch covers for instance so you'd probably want to paint it, not sure if it is really worth the hassle though.

What bike is it anyway? If it is a suzuki then don't bother it wont last .

[Watdafukhappe...]

Electrolysis?

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=1995967

[tatters]

[ZRX61]

Beadblasting

[moto]

Thanks for the replies.

It is an XR650, the wheels are worst affected, also the head has light corrosion.

I don't mind rubbing it down but do not want to get into painting bits, it never turns out that well in my experience.

[Vincent]

Take it to Central Wheels or some other wheel builder, they'll polish the rim and stick some new spokes in for ya. It's a good idea with spoked wheels to keep an eye out for loose spokes. Just gently run a screwdriver around the spokes, if they're all ok, they'll give off a uniform "ding". Any loose ones will not and stand out.

[tatters]

I,ve had good results on engine/wheel corrosion with soda blasting.

Bicarbonate of soda used in a bead/sand blaster. its very gental to the surface makes engine casings look like new.
____________________
Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[moto]

Regarding sodablasting, I am guessing the parts like engine casings would need to be taken off the bike to be done otherwise surrounding parts might get damaged?

Do you take this to a local place of is there a D.I.Y version of a soda blaster?

[tatters]

Do them while there on the bike, its not aggressive so will not damage paint on the likes of the frame though to be safe mask thoses areas up.


you need 5kg of soda (ebay £7), compressor, sand blaster





only problem is its very messy but does wash away with water so do it outside.
____________________
Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[ZRX61]

[Robby]

If this is corrosion on aluminium alloy, it'll be back in no time unless you apply some kind of coating (like paint). It doesn't do any harm.

For the wheel rebuilding and polishing comment, it doesn't seem to cost a great deal more to go for new rims if you're thinking of a rim polish and respoke. Not something to try at home unless you have skills and a lot of time on your hands, you'll cock up lacing the rim.

Electrolysis should work for alumium, but I can confirm that it doesn't work for wheels with alloy rims and steel spokes using an aluminium electrode. Makes them worse.