Author Topic: Start commuting now? (Read 3587 times)

cfoley · « **on:** 18 February 2014, 11:22:49 am »

I went to a dealer at the weekend and took a bike for a test ride. I'm not buying but it was my first ride of the year and I loved it!

I want to get my fazer out but I'm worried about ruining it. it's a 98 model, has under 4K miles and is in pristine condition. The roads are a bit slippy at the moment so I know to be careful but what really worries me is the salt on the roads causing rust. I definitely bought the bike to use it (commuting and fun) but I could wait till mid march and all that salt will be gone. It's only a couple of weeks away.

What would you do? Take the bike out or sit tight? And is there anything I can do to protect it from salt and rust?

alan sherman · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 February 2014, 11:45:45 am »

If it is mint and original then I'd store it somewhere safe as a future classic. Then go out and buy one to use for about a grand.

My bike sits outside now and gets used once or twice a week for the commute. If the weather is really foul I use it instead of cycling.

Dead Eye · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 February 2014, 11:53:27 am »

If its a dry day you should be able to get away with using it without too much salt worries - we are beginning to get them every once in a while - currently dry roads in Bristol it seems (from looking out the window)

Panthor · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 February 2014, 12:29:29 pm »

mines kept in pretty good condition even using through winter. I tend to cover it in ACF50 before a ride, let it dry then go. When i come back i give it a clean using a micro fibre cloth and ACF50 (or wd40 if run out). Seems to work fine.

DryRob · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 February 2014, 12:42:47 pm »

I'd use it regardless and if I was really bothered about the finish I'd hose it down after every use and clean it properly at weekends.

fazersharp · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 February 2014, 01:05:40 pm »

I dont think any salt has been put down for a while now and any that has is long washed off
Get out there so long as the roads are dry

mickvp · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 February 2014, 02:11:25 pm »

Quote from: fazersharp on 18 February 2014, 01:05:40 pm

I dont think any salt has been put down for a while now and any that has is long washed off
Get out there so long as the roads are dry

Depends where you are. The gritters were out in Glasgow only last night

cfoley · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 February 2014, 03:25:26 pm »

Indeed they were. I was checking this out earlier:
http://gccgritting.iriss.org.uk/tracking

I'm not sure I'd have the time for ACF50 before and after work. Most days I do stuff in the evenings which doesn't leave much time for faffing.

I hadn't heard what ACF50 was so I looked it up and it looks very interesting. What I might be able to do is treat the bike at the weekend and hose it down quickly each day when I get home.

NorthWestern · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 February 2014, 03:30:12 pm »

I'm doing around 100 miles a day on mine (1000) and it seems fine, a quick rinse at the weekend and its looking, well not like new but as it was before

Punkstig · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 February 2014, 04:05:29 pm »

Motorbikes are made to be ridden.

That is all

andybesy · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 February 2014, 04:11:46 pm »

Yeah ride it.

You don't need to do the ACF-50 treatment after every ride. Just give it a really good clean as a starting point, spray ACF-50 all over (except brakes/tyres) and that'll give you a good level of protection for the remainder of the bad weather. It'll survive a light wash for example a hose down, but if you do a full clean with degreaser then you will need to reapply ACF-50.

If you don't have ACF-50 then WD-40, GT85 etc are all OK too.

It's not perfect protection but it makes a big difference, and they are there to be used.

With respect to safety you'll have to exercise your own judgement based on your experience but as a relatively new rider I've found all conditions are OK except actual frozen ground i.e. snow or ice. Just take it steady and ride to the conditions and your skill level. It'll make you a better rider and you'll get a nod of any of the "proper" bikers still out at this time of year!

Andy

stevierst · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 February 2014, 04:54:21 pm »

Just ride it! Finish your journey and hose down with cold water, a quick wipe down and put it away.

I've done this with my fazers for years, never did any of them any harm, always polish up well when the good weather arrives.

It's just a chunk of metal, not a precious gem, ride it!

adeejaysdelight · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 February 2014, 08:47:11 pm »

My bike is pretty immaculate mate, and I ride it aw the time. In Scotland. And we have winter for about 9 months and autumn for about 2 1/2. And its cold in summer. Just ride the foccer and clean it when you bring it home. And coat it in WD40 or ACF-50.

adeejaysdelight · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 February 2014, 08:49:04 pm »

Oh, and it was a bit of a dog when I bought it, and it has 33,000+ miles on it

Dead Eye · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 February 2014, 09:36:20 pm »

That is one shiny bike... I don't think I've ever seen one of the black 600's in quite such good condition. Kudos to you, since black is a hard colour to keep in good nick

adeejaysdelight · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 February 2014, 09:40:23 pm »

Thanks Dead Eye. That is her ready for our trip to the Nurburgring last September. She was filthy by the time I got to Carlisle

. But like I said, she is ridden in ALL weather anyway, I just make sure I keep on top of it. Its easy when you know how.

Tefer · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 February 2014, 01:40:30 pm »

Quote from: cfoley on 18 February 2014, 03:25:26 pm

Indeed they were. I was checking this out earlier:
http://gccgritting.iriss.org.uk/tracking

I'm not sure I'd have the time for ACF50 before and after work. Most days I do stuff in the evenings which doesn't leave much time for faffing.

I hadn't heard what ACF50 was so I looked it up and it looks very interesting. What I might be able to do is treat the bike at the weekend and hose it down quickly each day when I get home.

http://allyearbiker.co.uk is a cleaning and winter prep service, few folk i know on other forums have had this done and swear by it.

richfzs · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 February 2014, 03:09:16 pm »

Nooj, of this parish, has the franchise in the Newbury area.

Many foccers have used ayb, across the UK, myself included. Well worth it.

Dead Eye · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 February 2014, 03:21:54 pm »

Its something I'm definitely considering with the thou (though Winter is almost over) and they have remained highly recommended on the forums

mickvp · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 February 2014, 03:25:21 pm »

Quote from: richfzs on 19 February 2014, 03:09:16 pm

Nooj, of this parish, has the franchise in the Newbury area.

Many foccers have used ayb, across the UK, myself included. Well worth it.

what does it entail? from the writeup on the site it readls like a good clean, followed by a hose down with ACF50 from a pressure sprayer, and then the panels polished and waxed/sealed?

Is it that different from just getting it detailed by a professional detailer - or is it much cheaper?

Dead Eye · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 February 2014, 03:39:12 pm »


All Year Bikers Halo Smart Clean treatment

£60 for one clean, or £110 for 2 within 6 months

richfzs · « **Reply #21 on:** 19 February 2014, 03:49:02 pm »

A damn good clean - my triumph was pretty grubby, pre treatment, and just after he'd washed it, it looked showroom. I'd almost pay the cash just for that bit.

Then they protect tyres and brake discs, and get stuck in with the spray. Wipe it all down afterwards (not polishing, I would say, and certainly not waxing).

The idea is then, that a simple hosing down is all that is needed to get the worst of the crud off - never use muc-off or similar, as this will just take all the Acf50 off.

When spring arrives (ha!) a proper wash should have it gleaming again. I've yet to try this aspect, as it's the first time I've had it applied.

dcurzon · « **Reply #22 on:** 19 February 2014, 05:31:33 pm »

i bought a really nice telly, but i only allow the family to have it on for 20 minutes a day (30minutes at the weekend), as i dont want the picture quality to fade over time.

Dead Eye · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 February 2014, 05:51:44 pm »