Ok guys, now with a shinny new bike I want to get this as rigth as possible.

I want to protect the blade from all the winter stuff.

1 - Rinse with cold water every evening before putting her back in the garage. Has anyone actually done this through the winter and can say that they got results and no salt was left on the bike? Will just a rinse with a hose pipe be enough or do I have to turn the pressure washer on? ( I can set the pressure washer to spray wide instead of a strong centered water jet, because of place that need to have grease)
Should I leave the water to dry in the garage or is better to soak with some old t-shirts?

2 - ACF-50….. Ok, this lovely stuff that removes rust from almost everything!! I've read people say to spray it on the bike everywhere that might rust and just leave it there, as it’s a better protection that WD40. Thing is… I can't spray it like WD40, the ACF50 I have comes out like a pink mousse (foam), if I spray the whole bike I'll have a pink bike!

3 - WD40… maybe use this after rinsing the bike with cold water and apply it on footpegs, fork legs, etc?

I know that we have a few threads covering this, but hopefully what I would like is some first had experiences with what you do and what results you get.
And if it turns out to be a good thread, just put it stick.

Any more?


Cheers
JP

Keep it in a heated garage and don't ride her!!!!

I washed my bike down with cold water every night during the winter and the calipers were still knackered by the salt/road grime

Hmm… that's not good faze..
But how were they knackered? Was it only the inside (pistons, seals, etc) or actually the outside as well? Eaten by salt?
What bout footpegs were they fine?

I understand that the pistons suffer as they are tucked away and will be hard to rinse of the salt, so I would expect to have to clean them properly before summer.
What I don’t want to happen is the outside to get all rusty and eaten by salt….

A friend with a faired bike sprays things under the fairing with ACF-50 and everything else with FS365 (Scottoiler). The ACF-50 is v v sticky and hard to get off, it attracts grime, sand everything. I made the mistake of going round the bike with it, like I used to do with FS365 which is water-based and you can wash off. Best to put the ACF-50 on a cloth and then apply it.

It was the insides JP - the outsides were fine - not a lot of use to me but they looked ok

Ok, that's not too bad then, the seals are ok to replace, what I don't want to happen is for the bike to get all corroted by salt.

Wow, thanks for that tips, I think I'll rub ACF50 on the footpegs and other bits that are exposed…
I wonder if there's a product like a salt dissolvent…
Something like you would spray on and then rinse with water..

I've sprayed all over the place with ACF50, & wiped down with it where I should.

One idea that looks like it's worth doing, is spray some on a paint brush & use that to paint bits like caliper bolts, hydraulic banjos etc.

As for hosing down or pressure washing; use the pressure washer. A hose won't get the stuff that's stuck, off.

I used ACF 50 using both a cloth and a paint brush to reach the awkward bits. Fantastic. Not a mark on the ally casings on my old BSA which used to corrode even in the garage! Even the exhaust pipes kept well. Highly recommended. I also use it on the 7 pin plug on my tow bar. Used it a couple of weeks ago after the worst saltings and it is still pristine in there. Amazing.

one doubt I have..

if I rub ACF50 on the footpegs, swingarm, etc...and then the next day when i get home rinse the salt off with cold water..will I have to rub ACF50 all over again?

ACF sticks on fairly well but they also have a grease compound for the area requiring more lube

Hi JP...


for the winter You can also:

Get clear set sticking plastic and cover the forks to avoid chipping...

Spray Silicone on a cloth and go over your wheels.

Brush Clear Grease on nuts and bolts.

On the pipes, use Wintawax or similar during the winter,, although you have to wash it with degreaser comes the summer.......

hope it helps.....

Nope it resists being washed off with water. It's used on aircraft carriers and planes!

i know acf50 cant go on brakes, but can i just brush some of it on the bolts that hold the calipers in place? would that be alright?

yes jp, on the bolts only will be fine

what do you guys use on rubbers?
I've read that you shouldnt use WD40 as it breaks the rubber? it makes it look good, but ends up breaking it..

what should i use?

hmm... this seems quite cool to dry the bike and make sure there's no water left on bolts rusting its way in..

http://www.motorcycledryer.com/

I've had no issues with wd40 or gt85 harming rubber/plastic parts.

You're probably better off using a shammy to dry down the bike.

I have one and I use it to dry off the bike, but only for the panels...

footrests, swingarm and all that I have old towels..
that little machine from the link just gets rid of the water left in nuts and bolts, specially the allen key ones..

That is what I call a 5 Star treatment for a bike.......

you are worse than me now........

KY Jelly?



All joking aside - where'd ya get one of those dryer thangs? Looks cool - I might get one for the bike but use it for hairmessing too

I think you will loose the will to buy it.... they are about 170quid...

but i've been thinking about building my own..
basically a leaf blower will to the wind job.... and then get a cheap hair dryer to get warm air..

put the 2 together..
I'll have the warm air from the hair dryer to dry the water
and the wind force from the leaf blower to shift the water...


However.. I have my old thundercat engine for sale on ebay, so if that sells for over 100, I'll be buying one of those little machines

You do realise, if I see you "hair drying" your bike I am sooooooo going to get a photo of it

Seriously though, good thread... When I get my SP2 I'm going to be just as bad