Rain damage??

[killa]

I know this might be lame but I am really worried about my bike now, I try my best to clean the thing and keep things lubricated.
It has been raining two days now and apart from ruining my ride to work and everywhere else for that matter, my bike is getting soaked through.
I have a garage at home and a cover for it at the girlfriends but anywhere else it gets wet.

So what does the rain do after awhile, the obvious is rust, I usually go out in the evening if it has been raining wipe the bike down and cover the metal parts including exhaust with WD40 (does this work?).
Any tips for helping it not F up would be appreciated.
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Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[instigator]

Shouldn't be that bad, so long as you keep stuff like electrics lubricated, and just generally wipe it down everytime it's been out in the rain.

I use my bike every day and only get a chance to wash it once a week, and that involves any maintenance I can do, as I can't do anything whilst it's parked on the street. Once I went 3 weeks without washing the thing and it never suffered.

And we're talking about the "number 1 rustbucket, as voted in mcn" bike here. The er5

You'll be fine I imagine, just look after it and wipe off the rain.

[Zoffo]

Covered mine in FS 365 after scrubbing all the winter salt and crap off last week. Seems to be keeping everything clean and healthy

[killa]

Um never heard of that, is it just like WD?
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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[EuropeanNC30R...]

I wouldn't worry about it too much, mine's lived outside this winter (albeit with a cover) and there's hardly any visible corrosion. I've noticed some slight pitting on the rear pillion footrest hangers caused by road salt, but nothing that a couple minutes with a tube of autosol wouldn't sort.

It is a Honda after all

[instigator]

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Should be alright. I don't even cover mine any more. Used it all through the Winter and it still looks great! No signs of wear anywhere.

Maybe chucked some water over it a handful of times. I never really clean it ie sponge etc ()

I let the rain wash it. . It got soaked every time it rained, no problems anywhere.

The old Hondas hold up very well IME. Even the paint still looks nice.

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Rain and salt do rust/corrode the bike. I've got most if not all of the the rust off mine, and painted the surface over, including the more common, prone places: rear subframe and exhaust headers. The rest is alloy and stays nice.

WD40 is good, washing road salt off is good, lubing up of general points is good.

Remember not to get any oils etc on your tyres/brake discs. If you do wipe them straight off.

[JonB]

I was recommended some Scottoiler spray that you spray all over the bike and it dissolves Salt or something. Any Good?
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[killa]

Yes thanks, all great tips.
I just hate this bike getting rain on, the owners before me defiantly didn’t let it get wet.
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Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[Steve H]

If you Garage it every night then it won't be a problem - Try wetting a chamois in warm water and wiping it down if you've been out in the rain before you tuck your bike up for the night, it'll remove most of the water that could corrode your bike and also look good when you come to ride it in the morning as you'll also get rid of any water streaks that might appear.

You will aso keep the finish in better condition if you take care of the paintwork regularly and won't have to use polish (which can harm the paintwork in the long run) everytime you give your bike a good clean as a chamois will suffice and bring the paintwork up really well - I find that I can get away with using polish once or maybe twice a year on mine, the rest of the time I purely hose down and then use a warm chamois and a soft polishing cloth (an old t-shirt will do).

Also is you've not got a rear hugger it's advisable to get an old t-shirt on your undertray and rear shock to remove most of the crap that accumulates in those area.

It's only a 10 minute job after a ride and it's really worth doing if you want to keep your bike in good condition.

SteveH
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