Brand new bike care

[Xan173]

Okay, so I have a brand new fresh out of the showroom bike.

What tips have the .org got for things to do while it's pristine that will help keep it that way for as long as possible?

[Dangerous Dave]

ACF-50 (http://www.acf-50.co.uk/)

[neio79]

Clean it properly, with a good Spray cleaner like Muc off, as well as using a car shampoo .

I rinse, apply muc off, then rinse, clean with water and shampoo, rinse, chamois, then fianlly wax the metal and use bike wax on the plastics.

Then cover all exposed metal fastners etc in ACF-50, works a treat.

[Xan173]

Is that ACF-50 safe for plastics or would it be a case of spraying some in the lid and applying it with a small brush?

[Xan173]

And is it the same as the Scottoiler FS 365 spray?

[neio79]

Is that ACF-50 safe for plastics or would it be a case of spraying some in the lid and applying it with a small brush?
No point using it on Plastic as plastic dosent corode. etter just giving the plastica a polish with something like Castrol bike polish.

FS365 is water soluable so after every wet ride will need re applying.

I have used ACF 50 on my bike from new and done a fair few wet miles. The nexct clean after spraying with Muc off or similar it comes up as new. You have seen my bike mate, all the shiney metal parts are as new.

[Dangerous Dave]

And is it the same as the Scottoiler FS 365 spray?
No, ACF-50 is one hundred times better!

I have used ACF-50 for years and haven't had any issues with bodywork, it isn't really designed for plastic panels as they do not corrode. Just wipe any residual off with a clean rag, oh... and keep it away from the brake disc's and pads obviously.

[ThEGr33k]

Dont ride it? he he.

Just make sure you remove salt (especially) and dirt asap.

[Beenz]

I used ACF-50 when I had my Gixer and the MT-03 during the Winter. FS365 is handy for all year round care.

[wow]

I find ACF-50 v sticky and attracts dirt. I prefer FS365 and go round the whole bike (apart from the plastic). I must explain I just spray(ed) and I don't think ACF-50 is meant for just spraying on - you need to put it on a rag first. Do apply it weekly if you can and if you don't feel like cleaning the bike still spray the FS365 on it. This is 2 winter's experience with a harley sportster and i commute in winter (tho not much between jan and mar) and it looked v shiny when I sold it back in May.

I also have a new bike/SV (April) and till now have only used a bit of ACF-50 (i find it's ok in small amounts) on a rag for the front forks as I live near the sea and need to keep an eye out for corrosion. I also had rust on the sticks the mirrors are attached to (I was v surprised as the bike had been to france recently since I washed it where it was warm) and one of my bar ends was rusty. All came off with autosol and I now treat that with ACF-50 as well.

Suppose there's a lot less to go round than the harley when winter comes. Pfew. :)

[fizzwheel]

ACF-50 is better as it doenst need re-applying if you ride the rain like the FS365 does.

I sprayed Liz's SV liberally with ACF-50 straight out of the aerosol can, but I did warm the can up first and give it a good shake. Just keep it away from the brake discs and pads though.

Best thing you can do is not put it away dirty if you clean it little and often you'll keep on top of it. Thats what I've done with my GSXR and it still looks in good nick even though its done 17K.

[Ed]

Clean it properly, with a good Spray cleaner like Muc off, as well as using a car shampoo .

I rinse, apply muc off, then rinse, clean with water and shampoo, rinse, chamois, then fianlly wax the metal and use bike wax on the plastics.

Then cover all exposed metal fastners etc in ACF-50, works a treat.

6 hours later...

But your bike does look like it came out the factory yesterday, I admit:cool:

[Foxy]

Clean it properly, with a good Spray cleaner like Muc off, as well as using a car shampoo .

I rinse, apply muc off, then rinse, clean with water and shampoo, rinse, chamois, then fianlly wax the metal and use bike wax on the plastics.

Then cover all exposed metal fastners etc in ACF-50, works a treat.

Don't fall down some steps on it 9 days after you bought it :rolleyes: and Neio's advice is great after all he spends a great deal of time lavishing care on his own bike and cleaning it and it certainly looks pristine :cool: that's the CG125 not sure what he does to keep his Kwak clean :D ;)

[muffles]

Okay, so I have a brand new fresh out of the showroom bike.

What tips have the .org got for things to do while it's pristine that will help keep it that way for as long as possible?

1. Take lots of good pictures cos it'll never look quite the same ;)
2. Ventureshield?

[yorkie_chris]

Blather the lot in loads of ACF50, give it 3 or 4 coats a thousand miles or so apart then forget about it. The thick layer of crud will keep it looking spot on untill some cheeky b4stard on a rideout cleans it for you....

Gear oil is also pretty good, apply that with a paintbrush, the idea is to get a decent skin of oily crud on it that keeps corrosion at bay, then if you want to clean it in summer then it'll be protected under the muck.

[Dangerous Dave]

I find ACF-50 v sticky and attracts dirt.
It is this thin layer of film that prevents corrosion from attacking the metal components

I must explain I just spray(ed) and I don't think ACF-50 is meant for just spraying on - you need to put it on a rag first.
Nope, spraying is possible.

Do apply it weekly if you can and if you don't feel like cleaning the bike still spray the FS365 on it.
One coat of ACF-50 will last over a year of thorough cleaning, I mean thorough cleaning (striping the bike down). If you are using ACF-50 there is no need to use FS365 as well, due to the protective film ACF-50 provides the FS365 won't even get near the metal components to do its job.

[Xan173]

There seems to be a very strong consensus - a rare thing these days. Ta all.

[neio79]

6 hours later...

But your bike does look like it came out the factory yesterday, I admit:cool:

:p yep and i want to keep it that way, and it takes me 3 hours do clean my bike properly to my standards.

Don't fall down some steps on it 9 days after you bought it :rolleyes: and Neio's advice is great after all he spends a great deal of time lavishing care on his own bike and cleaning it and it certainly looks pristine :cool: that's the CG125 not sure what he does to keep his Kwak clean :D ;)


LOL, The CG hasent been cleaned like the Kwak, I will clean it and treat it with ACF-50 for the winter thouh. But at the end of the day you cant make sh*t shine!!

[dizzyblonde]

:p yep and i want to keep it that way, and it takes me 3 hours do clean my bike properly to my standards.
!!

It takes me a whole day to properly clean my two. Then a whole day to polish em.
Pretty much how you do it. But I get into all the nooks and crannies with a 99p pot brush under the engine, take the belly pan off, I clean the chain, I scrub the wheels with the pot brush I have polished rims so don't have to worry about delicate paint . I use Autoglym bike cleaner. Blah blah blah
I leave em both to dry properly, which is why i go back the day after to polish. My downpipes are org famous(but not as clean as kwaks;))I have to autosol the wheels on both, whole exhaust system, peg hangers etc. I use Autoglym super resin polish on the bodywork.
I carefully apply WD40 on the engine, I don't use ACF50..TBH everything sticks to it like poo to a blanket( and on a new bike like yours you kinda don't want it looking like YCs:rolleyes:)
I then get the WD40 out on the chain with a rag and clean the rest of the gunk off and reapply chain oil( but thn after a ride have to WD40 the wheels cause its sprayed all over em:()

And ta da you are blinded by their shinyness:D