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How do I Winter-proof my bike? - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: How do I Winter-proof my bike? (/showthread.php?tid=60673)



How do I Winter-proof my bike? - Blisteredfingerz - 21-10-12

Hi all
Winters coming, so what are some good methods of preparing my bike in order to help prevent rust and corrosion?
I will start this off;
*Keeping chain clean and lubed
*Installing a fender extender and rear hugger?
*Correct type, amount and dilution of antifreeze.


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - Jacko - 21-10-12

Hose the salt and crap off before putting away,
Cover in wd40 or such like,
See on here for a session to acf50 it for you,
leave in garage and take car / train / bus.

Or my method, carry on as usual, wash it when I can, sort it all in spring.



Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - ghostbiker - 21-10-12

Acf 50 treatment


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - NotAnotherHill - 21-10-12

FS365 is pretty good if a bit pricey.


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - phillywilly - 21-10-12

(21-10-12, 04:43 PM)ghostbiker link Wrote: Acf 50 treatment


when i bought my bike ,the engine had been treated with acf 50 ,but after riding it for 5 mins the smell put me off using the acf 50
does anyone else find this ?


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - Blisteredfingerz - 21-10-12

Thanks for the tips guys. Keep em coming. 
I have a X reg FZS600. Only had it for about 4 months. My first big bike. It has the standard exhaust manifold which Ive heard will rot pretty rapidly so next time the weathers good I plan to take it off and give it afew coats of fire grate paint. I use the bike to commute about 30 miles per day and short of heavy snow nothing will stop me using it for this. I save around £7 per day not having to buy a parking ticket and of course get better mpg than my car also.
The bolt heads through the brake discs are starting to rust. Can i grease these to prevent further corrosion?


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - Arfa - 22-10-12

(21-10-12, 06:26 PM)phillywilly link Wrote: [quote author=ghostbiker link=topic=5039.msg43657#msg43657 date=1350834203]
Acf 50 treatment


when i bought my bike ,the engine had been treated with acf 50 ,but after riding it for 5 mins the smell put me off using the acf 50
does anyone else find this ?
[/quote]


Have heard other stories of this and big clouds of smoke etc. However, I had nothing of the sort when I recently sprayed down mine. Dunno if its down to how soon afterwards you get on the thing or not. I did mine on a Saturday, then didn't take it out until the Monday. YMMV.


Another tip I was told, was give the bike a regular clean, to wash off crud and salt, but importantly, use cold water. Apparently hot water can increase the rust process. And don't use a pressure washer, it just forces water into places where it won't dry.


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - Dave48 - 22-10-12

On a wet day like today after washing the bike theres no possibility all the moisture will dry off but I have a leaf blower which is fantastic for getting rid of residual moisture from all the nooks & crannies-like a cold hairdrier! :lol  A light coating of ACF50 protects everything & keeps the tin-worm at bay but keep well away from tyres & brakes! :eek


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - DanielT - 22-10-12

Latest Ride magazine has an article about winter-proofing. Not sure if it's the bike or the rider though. Will post later when I've read it


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - Arfa - 22-10-12

(22-10-12, 09:31 AM)DanielT link Wrote: Latest Ride magazine has an article about winter-proofing. Not sure if it's the bike or the rider though. Will post later when I've read it


Covers both. Actually quite a useful read. Also got some handy tips on riding in wet too (e.g. leaning your body rather than the bike when cornering).


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - philshaq - 22-10-12

quick question reagarding acf50.. (sorry for hi-jacking!)


Can it be put onto the exhaust? Or should you sand and repaint to help get the original downpipes to survive the winter?


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - Strifae - 23-10-12

It can be put on the downpipes but they get so hot it all burns off pretty darn quickly - when i had my FZS600 i covered the downpipes in ACF50 when i wasn't using the bike for a week or so but otherwise i just replaced them with stainless


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - DanielT - 24-10-12

a pdf of the article mysteriously turned up and then someone pretending to be me is posting this link to it


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - Grandma - 28-10-12

WD40 is also good and probably cheaper, same applies avoid brakes and tyres! lol
[/size][/color]My R1 has now covered 55,000 miles in all weathers and still looks good, also helps maintenace as avoids nuts/bolts seizing or rusting solid! Also use Scottoiler which is a boon with no centre stand Wink


Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - budgiemurray - 28-10-12

put mines to bed the other day..
thing got a good wash, polish and wax..
I then sprayed the chain and disks in wd40, the rerst got a full spray of Muc-off's ptfe spray..

Now I know a lot of you will reel in horror at me spraying the brakes but the bikes not gonna be moving tioll the spring and itll get a full clean down with brake cleaner etc before its back on the road..

its covers on it too now.. all tucked up 8)

Budgie



Re: How do I Winter-proof my bike? - Slaninar - 28-10-12

(21-10-12, 10:35 PM)Blisteredfingerz link Wrote:Thanks for the tips guys. Keep em coming. 
I have a X reg FZS600. Only had it for about 4 months. My first big bike. It has the standard exhaust manifold which Ive heard will rot pretty rapidly so next time the weathers good I plan to take it off and give it afew coats of fire grate paint. I use the bike to commute about 30 miles per day and short of heavy snow nothing will stop me using it for this. I save around £7 per day not having to buy a parking ticket and of course get better mpg than my car also.
The bolt heads through the brake discs are starting to rust. Can i grease these to prevent further corrosion?

It would be cheapest in the long run to just get a beater winter bike. Some cheap 2 stroke scooter, or something bigger if you must - but lighter, smaller than 600 cc.