Waterproofing... the bike!

[Acemastr]

Got to work today to find my headlight not working, appears to be the connector behind the dash (again), easily a 2 hour job to remove the entire front end, put it back in, and put it all back on.

My question is, are there any decent sprays out there to waterproof electrical contacts? maybe give it a WD40 and scrub the contacts before, may even dremel off the rusty bits, and spray on some waterproof spray once the 2 connectors are joined?

Cheers guys & girls
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[iooi]

Clean the contacts up and then refit with a nice dollop of Vaseline to keep the water out.
There are sprays, but they cost more £££
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Dazbo666]

Not 100% how effective it is with electricals, but my suggestion would be PTFE spray etc... ??

I use Muc Off Maintenance Spray at the moment, and it seems to be pretty effective
Also had GT85 in the past with similar effects
ACF 50 is said to be one of the best, but not cheap
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[stinkwheel]

Take your pick of dielectric grease, ACF50 and vaseline. (in order of preference)
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“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.

[Rowey]

Hot glue gun might work. Seals it up and glues it in place. If you need to remove it, warming it will make it easier to get off.

Silicone grease is good. Used it on outside satellite coax connectors.
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ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[Acemastr]

Well, ironic really. Riding along, all throttle dies, lights all on, rev counter dying down as though the killswitch has been flicked.

Play about with the fuse box and it starts with a massive backfire. I now need to clean my fuse box thoroughly and waterproof it.

Can i literally spray a shedload of WD40 into it, leave it for an hour, Degreaser all over it, slap the fuses back in and ACF50 the lot? is this going to clean it? is this going to stop contact within the fusebox?

Many thanks
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[Glenben92]

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Holts-Damp-Start-Ignition-Sealer---Autoplast--300ml_W0QQitemZ350199223212QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=149816187724&rvr_id=149816187724&cguid=e86c1eff1290a0e2027454f4ff67ec05

That stuff is absolute gold. designed for ignition circuits, it sprays on and forms a thin plastic film over the cables and connections. completely protects electrics. my bikes loom is covered and... it works very well.

and its cheap
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57 Huoniao HN125-8 - , 97 Kawasaki GPZ500S -
99 Yamaha FZS 600 -
Mod 2 Passed - 01/10/2010

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Worth noting that sprays/grease etc will only protect good connections.
Next time you take the tank/fairings/seat/whatevers off, don't just spray your chosen potion. Seperate the connectors and clean them, then apply potion (ACF50 is mine)

I used a jewelers screwdriver to scratch-clean the pins in the connector blocks. (battery disconnected and was careful not to touch 2 pins at once when doing the ECU block)
Did the same with the fuseblock.


Pat
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Stelmer]

I had to do all the connectors on the GSX when I got it. Only thing is that most of them fell apart upon being touched.....

I used Vaseline when I replaced them. 2 years later, everything electrical works still.....

[FURBAR]

So a bit of vaseline on electircal circuit blocks helps ... ?? .. as i will do that as of when if it's a good idea ..
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Fuk um !!

[stinkwheel]

Just to say. All of the things mentioned are electrical insulators. So if you get them between the contact surfaces, they can actually stop them making contact (in reality, it is usually scraped off the bit that actually makes contact as you assemble the connection).

What you should do is clean and assemble the connection THEN put the Grease/vaseline over the top of them.
____________________
“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.

[Glenben92]

[Acemastr]

Think I'll dremel the contacts with a wire attachment, WD40 the entire fuse box/contacts, degreaser to remove the crap and WD40, then use whatever ignition sealer i choose (still hunting, ACF50 is extortionately priced, £14 for a normal sized can! can't imagine it being THAT good to charge £14...)
____________________
2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[Acemastr]

Think I'll dremel the contacts with a wire attachment, WD40 the entire fuse box/contacts, degreaser to remove the crap and WD40, then use whatever ignition sealer i choose (still hunting, ACF50 is extortionately priced, £14 for a normal sized can! can't imagine it being THAT good to charge £14...)
____________________
2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[DrDonnyBrago]

ACF50 is for the whole bike though. Spray it on everything metal except your discs and controls and it will help prevent the corrosion you get on our shitty roads..

[stinkwheel]

The ACF does go a long way, one can lasts a long time. If you're doing terminals, spray a little into the lid then apply it with a small brush or a cloth.

Likewise on metal. Spray a little then wipe it about with a cloth, it doesn't need to be clagged on, if there is enough to make the metal appear slightly oily, that's enough. You can just keep the cloth and wipe stuff down with it, occasionally refreshing it with a bit of the spray.
____________________
“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.

[Acemastr]

Oh i see, i was going to go mental and squirt the hell out of everything, but if ACF is an insulator and i'm brushing it onto contacts etc... they surely aren't going to work? the fuse box is a mess with contacts etc, brushing ACF into there is going to be a nightmare and will cover the contacts.

Cheers for the help as well guys.
____________________
2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[DrDonnyBrago]

The ACF would get scratched out of the way when you plug everything back together. I have sprayed it into a particularly annoying connection before, all worked fine when I plugged it all back in.

[stinkwheel]

[FURBAR]

If i'm only doing 150 miles a week or so, and wash my bike at least everyweek ... does that mean there is less of a need for going overboard with wd40 and acf ....
____________________
Fuk um !!

[Acemastr]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

My understanding of ACF50 is you apply and leave. You can use water to wash off road dirt, just no shampoo etc.

Before i used ACF and got a shed, i kept my bike looking good by cleaning it after every wet ride(bike stored under a cover) This involved 2 watering cans of cold water to wash off the salt. Wiped off with rags. Used WD40 on a rag and wiped my bike down (excluding the obvious parts). Sprayed WD under the tank and behind my clocks.
Connector blocks were daubed in vaseline.
Rain or shine my bike looked good and it's easier to keep it looking good by cleaning a little and often.
Faults and leaks are easier to spot and fix.

[edit] and no, it's not showroom condition clean. I like to ride bikes as well as clean them
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[FURBAR]

I only put my bike / dry under a cover if i know i'm not going to use it for at least the next day or more .. i have sheets and blankets i use on thier own and with the cover ...

If no cover, the bike is under a LARGE garden umbrella .... and a small one over the front wheel and handlebars ..

Because of this, i'm thinking of using ACF50 less, and or on parts i see looking like they need it ...

I have a outdoor fixed hose on a wheel next to said bike, so spraying down whenever can be done in less than five mins ...

So still unsure if these plans are good or should be changed altured ..
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Fuk um !!

[Acemastr]

Reading up about ACF, one application done properly should last you the entire winter.
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[FURBAR]

Yes, done correctly it's supposed to .. i would be fine with that for a winter hack, but i'm not riding my bike round manky all winter ...
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Fuk um !!