High Temperature & Rust ?

[Steven T]

Just joined this morning - this is my first thread so please be gentle ! Although I'm 42, and after an absence of riding a motorcycle for 20 years, my SV650S is my first "big" bike (and waht a joy it is !) and I've owned it now for 4 months. I have two questions I'm looking for assistance with. First, before today my temp gauge has never been above 90 but peaked at 107 and I could see the oil "bubbling" away through the eye glass. At what temperature should the fan come on ? Second, and really annoying on a bike only 4 months old, is the amount of rust appearing on a number of areas on the bike, despite me using FS365 and cleaning regularly. Any thoughts ?

[Alpinestarhero]

The fan should cut in around 103 deg.C; check the sensor on the radiator on the right hand side of the bike (as you sit on it). Have you seen the fan come on? Check it does!

As for corrosion...well, you brought a suzuki. and a budget one at that. What area's are you experiancing the worst corrosion? Frk legs and exhaust downpipes are common parts to go the horrible colour of a winters riding, but bolts on the calipers can go a bit corroded easily, and the rear axle.

ACF50 is generally considered to be superior in protection

[fizzwheel]

despite me using FS365 and cleaning regularly. Any thoughts ?

Yes dont ue FS365, its good but its water soluable so every time you ride in the rain or wet, it gets washed off. By regularly cleaning the bike you're continually re-exposing bare metal to the salty roads.

Common consensus is to clean the bike at the start of winter and then spray it with ACF-50 all the metal parts except for brake pads and discs and then not wash it or clean it again over winter or at least until the salt is gone. Your bike will end up looking dirty, but underneath that dirt is a protective layer of ACF-50.

ACF-50 is not removed by water, so the protection it provide stays put.

[dizzyblonde]

Frk legs and exhaust downpipes are common parts to go the horrible colour of a winters riding, but bolts on the calipers can go a bit corroded easily, and the rear axle.



forks legs its the salt getting under the laquer. Strip it off and polish it, don't bother re-laquering it does the same again.
Downpipe is stainless, its just burnt on crud, like in an oven. Polish that too. It does come off....eventually.
However the 2 exhaust bolts into the front cylinder head are not, watch out for them going to crap, they is a bugger once they've gone too far. May be a good idea to swap for better quality studs and nuts, and copper grease em.
Torque arm and bolts are rubbish(well they are on a 99-02) so is the subframe paint.(thats different after 02 its a different sub)

[Gene genie]

morning steve t.
one word that'll be etched on the inside of your skull, AUTOSOL.

[shonadoll]

ACF50- I've covered the whole underneath of my bike in it, the stuff you are using will just wash off in water, the AC lasts a lot better. Used in the aviation industry.

[Mogs]

Hello from another Born Again Biker, although my rebirth was a few years ago now. I'd be concerned about the overheating, get it checked out, but no concern about the rust etc. A bikes there to be ridden not cleaned and kept on the mantlepiece :)

[Steven T]

Many, many thanks for all your replies to my queries - extremely helpfull and your all so bleeding knowledgeable it scares me ! I've checked the sensor - seesm to be connected ok but I've never heard the fan come on since I got the bike and most of my riding is stop/start going to work but 107 on the temp reading is the highest I've seen so far. I'm taking it to a dealer tomorrow as there is also a ptroblem with my brake calipers "sticking" so I'll mention it to them then. As for rust etc, the dealer recommended FS365 when I got the bike (I wanted some form of "protection" after my last bike quickly became "rusted" and didn't know which product to get). I'll definitle look into the ACF50 as a replacement as I'm forever spraying the the FS365 after each wash. The rusty bits appear to be on both brake calipers, various nuts and bolts and exhaust fixings and a little on the front forks - just really annoyes me that rust can appear so quickly on a new bike despite all my best efforts to protect it (and continuously polish it !). I've also been using autoglym products but will also look into AUTOSOL. I ride the bike every day - wind, rain or shine - but I also want it looking it's best ! Can't believe it took me so long to get back into biking.....all those wasted years ! Thanks again guys, I really apreciate your help and will no doubt be posting some more queries in the weeks/months to come.

[peterco]

The fan should kick in about 98C and switch off about 92C.
As others have said ACF 50 for anti corrosion protection.
Welcome to the org.

pete

[Steven T]

Cheers, Pete - will be interesting to hear what the dealer says tomorrow.

[captainsmelly]

Well done for coming back Mr t, dunno how you managed to stay away from bikes for so long!

[CarlosSV650S]

the other day i was out and the temp went to the same m8, 107 oC.

Dont think the fan kicked in either.

read the manual and it says it dangerous after 120 oC thank fook.



Also where can you get this ACF 50, and how much is it ?

Cheers

[Steven T]

Well, in 1984 I was riding a Kawasaki AR80, and I lost interest after losing part of my finger in a self-inflicted accident involving the chain......

When it came to my 40th birthday a couple of years back, my wife asked what I'd like. I said a motorbike; she said what about a nice long romantic weekend to Venice. So began my argument that it was MY birthday and why should she get something out of it.......

[Steven T]

CarlosSV650S - thanks for the heads-up. The oil through the spy-glass bubbling away like a boiling pan made me worry..........!

[peterco]

where can you get this ACF 50, and how much is it ?

Cheers

http://www.acf-50.co.uk/stockistsnew.asp

I got mine by mail order from sounds distribution in liquid form,prefer it to the aerosol can.
http://www.sounddistribution.co.uk/images/ACF50Quart.jpg

ACF-50 Quart (16 fl oz)

ACF 50 Quart (16 fl oz), same quality product as the aerosol spray but a liquid formula that comes with a separate air pump bottle for complete Bike protection

It cost £27.35 for the liquid and £12.72 for the aerosol


pete

[ophic]

See I got rid of my wife first and then got the motorbike :D

When it came to my 40th birthday a couple of years back, my wife asked what I'd like. I said a motorbike; she said what about a nice long romantic weekend to Venice. So began my argument that it was MY birthday and why should she get something out of it.......

[Steven T]

I'm working on that one, ophic, although one good thing is that she'll never be a pillion passenger.......

[jambo]

Hello and welcome!

First, before today my temp gauge has never been above 90 but peaked at 107 and I could see the oil "bubbling" away through the eye glass. At what temperature should the fan come on ?

Don't worry. Oil boils at something silly like 350 degrees C, what you're seeing is a bit of frothing caused by the oil being spat around the engine and whisked by the gears, it's fine.

The coolant temperature that you see is measured by a sensor connected to the engine block. The fan switch is a seperate sensor which is on the right hand side of the rad as you sit on the bike (you've already checked that this is connected). First off check that the radiator is full of coolant as if the level gets low enough that this sensor is not imersed, you won't have the fan cut in. Next go for a ride to warm the bike up, then get home and let it idle, as the temperature climbs up you should hear the fan cut in somewhere around 100C and certainly before 110C. Because the fan switch sensor, and the temperature readout sensor are seperate people see the fan cut in at different temperatures in different conditions.


Hope this is of some help

Jambo

[Steven T]

Can't believe how much info I've received in less than 4 hours !

Phew, thanks jambo, you can tell I'm clueless when it comes to bikes.....! I'll do what you suggest tonight and really appreciate your advice.

[dual-power sv]

just out of interest, is it a brand new sv, or very nearly new

[Steven T]

Purchased in October 2008, with 1,200 miles on the clock and garaged every night......

[yorkie_chris]

ACF50 from M and P is on offer at £23 for 2 tins.

[punyXpress]

Busters also do those sprays ( 2 x 369gm ) or 1 litre bottle with spray nozzle for £27.99
Find the aerosols ( is that how you spell it ? ) use more & go all over the place.

[Steven T]

Didn't have time to leave the bike idling to get the temp up, but took the bike into the dealers yesterday on another matter and they suggested fan should come on @75 -90 degrees.........

[bornagain]

Hello Steven,

I have a 2008 sv650 sport (bought new in October).

The fan kicks in on mine at 103/104 degrees (only after riding slow in traffic). Normal running temperature when riding is 75 to 80 degrees on the guage. When stationary (but with engine running) at the point the fan kicks in i can clearly hear it as long as my helmet is off. I can also feel the fan running through the bars because of the small vibration it produces.

At the point the fan kicks in if you lower your head (be careful) near to the radiator area you should be able to easily hear it running.

As for rust - so far both chain adjuster bolts, rear axle nut, side stand bolt, right hand side footrest hanger mount, and brake hose connections are showing early signs of corrosion.

Worst issue on mine is the silver engine paint flaking off the left hand side crankcase around the engine number area.

All of this is despite being sprayed from new with acf50 !

The crankcase in particular in my opinion has been painted at the factory on top of corrosion or dirt - the corrosion is from underneath the paint.

I am sure the acf 50 has helped keep corrosion off the bright metal though to a certain extent. No signs of rust on the other areas on the bike todate.

I'd recommend using: acf50 (got mine from m & p mail order), autosol metal polish for the exhaust, autoglym super resin polish for the paintwork, and autoglym motorcycle cleaner for general washing of the bike.

[chompy]

i have had an 01 sv650s since september 08 and i havent had a problem at all with rust ect ect. I keep it garaged, cleaned regulary and use muckoff protectant spray from halfords its excellent stuff.

should have bought a curvy Lol

welcome to the org by the way

[Steven T]

Hello Steven,

I have a 2008 sv650 sport (bought new in October).

The fan kicks in on mine at 103/104 degrees (only after riding slow in traffic). Normal running temperature when riding is 75 to 80 degrees on the guage. When stationary (but with engine running) at the point the fan kicks in i can clearly hear it as long as my helmet is off. I can also feel the fan running through the bars because of the small vibration it produces.

At the point the fan kicks in if you lower your head (be careful) near to the radiator area you should be able to easily hear it running.

As for rust - so far both chain adjuster bolts, rear axle nut, side stand bolt, right hand side footrest hanger mount, and brake hose connections are showing early signs of corrosion.

Worst issue on mine is the silver engine paint flaking off the left hand side crankcase around the engine number area.

All of this is despite being sprayed from new with acf50 !

The crankcase in particular in my opinion has been painted at the factory on top of corrosion or dirt - the corrosion is from underneath the paint.

I am sure the acf 50 has helped keep corrosion off the bright metal though to a certain extent. No signs of rust on the other areas on the bike todate.

I'd recommend using: acf50 (got mine from m & p mail order), autosol metal polish for the exhaust, autoglym super resin polish for the paintwork, and autoglym motorcycle cleaner for general washing of the bike.


Hey Bornagain, cheers for the heads-up. My fan is working properly (as far as I have been able to tell) and comes on @103 degrees. Had to have it parked up with my helmet off to hear th bleeding thing but at least it's one less thing to worry about ! Re corrossion, Suzuki GB authorised replacment of SOME corroded parts on my bike (ie brake banjo's, caliper bolts and connections etc) so some admission there of poor quality. As they are like-for like, I'm looking to get some stainless or anodised ones as they same thing is gonna happen. Now have supply of ACF-50 - seems bloody good stuff !! Wife also bought me practically every Autoglym product when I first got the bike - very considerateI thought - but I think I'll give Autosol a try also - others seem to have recommended this too.

[ophic]

Hey Bornagain, cheers for the heads-up. My fan is working properly (as far as I have been able to tell) and comes on @103 degrees. Had to have it parked up with my helmet off to hear th bleeding thing but at least it's one less thing to worry about ! Re corrossion, Suzuki GB authorised replacment of SOME corroded parts on my bike (ie brake banjo's, caliper bolts and connections etc) so some admission there of poor quality. As they are like-for like, I'm looking to get some stainless or anodised ones as they same thing is gonna happen. Now have supply of ACF-50 - seems bloody good stuff !! Wife also bought me practically every Autoglym product when I first got the bike - very considerateI thought - but I think I'll give Autosol a try also - others seem to have recommended this too.
Just a thought - if you're gonna replace bits with higher quality components, don't forget about your brake pins.

[Steven T]

Cheers, Ophic - will do !

[bornagain]

Hello Steven,

It's great Suzuki are replacing several parts under warranty. I am going to ask the dealer when mine goes in for its 600 mile service next week to do the same (chain adjuster bolts/nuts, rear axle nut, brake pipe banjo's etc). Hope they are as obliging.

I'm looking to get some stainless or anodised ones as they same thing is gonna happen

If you manage to track some stainless parts down (especially the rear chain adjuster nuts) please post the supplier details or send me a pm. I am sure this is the best solution.

I am glad your fan scenario is ok and hope you enjoy the sv as much as i do.

[ophic]

If you manage to track some stainless parts down (especially the rear chain adjuster nuts) please post the supplier details or send me a pm. I am sure this is the best solution.
Try here: http://www.tastynuts.com
They do stainless and titanium and alloy
I bought some titanium brake pins as mine were in bad shape. I haven't found the specific rear chain adjuster nuts, but i'm sure if you know the size they could supply them.

[Steven T]

Hello Steven,

It's great Suzuki are replacing several parts under warranty. I am going to ask the dealer when mine goes in for its 600 mile service next week to do the same (chain adjuster bolts/nuts, rear axle nut, brake pipe banjo's etc). Hope they are as obliging.



If you manage to track some stainless parts down (especially the rear chain adjuster nuts) please post the supplier details or send me a pm. I am sure this is the best solution.

I am glad your fan scenario is ok and hope you enjoy the sv as much as i do.


Good luck wth the dealer - apparenly it's all to do with "Un-merchantable Quality".......

Other posters have recommended trying www.chewys-stuff.co.uk/ (http://www.chewys-stuff.co.uk/) for replacement bits and bobs.

And yes, thoroughly enjoying the bike - can't get out enough (restricted by wife and child) :thumbsup:

[gedcarney]

HELLO STEVE

This is what you do to stop the rust. Go to your nearest garden centre and get one of those pump up weed killer sprayers and put in clean water. Then after riding in the salt and road crap, just wash in down with clean water then spray on scottoiler fs 365 protector. Go to the web site for the offer on 1 litre and free posting. I have used all sorts over the years like wd40 and clean water, but this really does what it says on the tin. Fs 365 protector does not wash off in heavy rain.

ged

[yorkie_chris]

The FS365 is water soluble and does not protect as well as grease or ACF50.

[dawn07]

Hi Steven and welcome to the org. Hope to meet you at one of the 'ecosse posse' runs. Even when I'm knackered after a run, I always wash,rinse and DRY my bike. Seems to keep the rust at bay. Plus what everyone is saying about the acf50

[yorkie_chris]

I tend to go and make a brew and leave it until next time I want to use it. It gets a coat of ACF50 when I can be bothered.

Under all the filth it's in better nick than most that get cleaned...

[gedcarney]

The FS365 is water soluble and does not protect as well as grease or ACF50. I would swear by the Fs 365 having just put the bike through the worst salting of roads i have seen for a long time. I had to have the front caliper striped because the salt was locking the disk. Fs365 for me!

GED

[Steven T]

HELLO STEVE

This is what you do to stop the rust. Go to your nearest garden centre and get one of those pump up weed killer sprayers and put in clean water. Then after riding in the salt and road crap, just wash in down with clean water then spray on scottoiler fs 365 protector. Go to the web site for the offer on 1 litre and free posting. I have used all sorts over the years like wd40 and clean water, but this really does what it says on the tin. Fs 365 protector does not wash off in heavy rain.

ged

I would swear by the Fs 365 having just put the bike through the worst salting of roads i have seen for a long time. I had to have the front caliper striped because the salt was locking the disk. Fs365 for me!

GED

I's disagree, Ged - I put copious amounts of FS365 on the bike from new and always after every wash. Within 4 months parts had become quite coroded (hence replacement by the dealer). I did a test last night on part of a paving slab in the back garden - sprayed both FS365 and ACF-50. Got the pressure hose and it displaced the FS365 but not the ACF-50. Hence the ACF-50 is now my bike's new friend !:)

[Steven T]

Hi Steven and welcome to the org. Hope to meet you at one of the 'ecosse posse' runs. Even when I'm knackered after a run, I always wash,rinse and DRY my bike. Seems to keep the rust at bay. Plus what everyone is saying about the acf50


Cheers, Dawn - I think I've missed out on a couple of runs recently but wife and child dictate my availability :cry: I always kept the bike as clean as poss (must have spent a fortune on various Autoglym items !) but have realised (after reading Yorkie Chris and other posts on this subject) that it's not necessary - a healthy coating of ACF-50 is now all I give the bike (maybe a quick polsih of the ank and fairings to give it a partly shiny look......:)).

[Steven T]

Worst issue on mine is the silver engine paint flaking off the left hand side crankcase around the engine number area.

The crankcase in particular in my opinion has been painted at the factory on top of corrosion or dirt - the corrosion is from underneath the paint.

Guess what - paint on left hand side crankcase on my SV is now beginning to flake. Right side looks fine. Oh dear......

[Geoffrey]

The FS365 is water soluble and does not protect as well as grease or ACF50.
i agree, it says so on the container too.