Dont forget to wash your bike [Archive] - SV650.org

mister c

02-03-10, 07:38 AM

Well, I've been off work ill for 2 weeks now & made the mistake of just putting the bike in the shed without washing it. This is the result.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_x187wrpxju4/S4y_rTMm7dI/AAAAAAAAAsI/o-nk-oMsgy8/s640/LGIM0420.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_x187wrpxju4/S4y_sd8KvWI/AAAAAAAAAsM/Yak8G9NUVmk/s640/LGIM0421.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_x187wrpxju4/S4y_tg7hpHI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/SPuAx56CC0o/s640/LGIM0422.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_x187wrpxju4/S4y_uimX6YI/AAAAAAAAAsU/cqAjgqGqDHg/s640/LGIM0423.jpg

-Ralph-

02-03-10, 08:18 AM

Oh, yes, SV's in particular don't like that! When a mate went into hospital unexpectedly around this time of year, I went over to clean his bike, because I knew that's what it would end up looking like if I didn't and it was a brand spanker at the time.

Was it just because you got ill, or do you struggle to wash it regularly anyway? (I used to have the same problem, arriving home after dark with no outdoor lighting and no outdoor tap).

If you can wash it a couple of times a week Scotoiller FS365 helps, if you struggle to wash it, apply ACF50 at the beginning of winter and don't wash it at all (I've never been brave enough to try that in case I missed a bit and cleaned it off in spring to find major paintwork damage).

You might be lucky and it cleans off your paintwork, but anything that was already perforated will have got worse. The finish on those bolts is pretty much screwed I'm afraid, you'd probably benefit from a stainless steel bolt kit.

yorkie_chris

02-03-10, 08:51 AM

Why, what's wrong with it?

Jayneflakes

02-03-10, 09:55 AM

Why, what's wrong with it?

It looks common! :smt082

Drew Carey

02-03-10, 10:01 AM

You've just made me go pale.....as my Triumph has been sat outside, under cover, having not been washed since a Sunday ride out a week ago......won't be able to clean it until Friday either :-(

AndyBrad

02-03-10, 10:37 AM

holy crap!!!!

so do you guys wash your bike after each run to work? just rinse it off or a propper sponge down?

boredus

02-03-10, 10:38 AM

yeah I used mine for a couple of weeks in December, put it away in the garage under a blacket and forgot about it. Took it out mid feb and the chain has seized solid, the rear caliper mount is furry as hell. Got lots of cleaning and painting to do I think so might just paint the exposed alloy bits if I can.

Owenski

02-03-10, 10:44 AM

holy crap!!!!

so do you guys wash your bike after each run to work? just rinse it off or a propper sponge down?

A good spray down with a degreasing agent (removes almost everything it touches its brilliant) then rinse with the hose pipe, repeat and this time stick finger over end of hose to create small jet to rinse. Do this once or twice a week DEFO on a friday and DEFO if I see grit on the road. Takes less than 10mins and only needs following by spray of chain lube and brake cleaner.
On the friday I'll also spray some 3in1 onto the moving parts, brake levers/pedals gear changer etc.

It cost me over £500 for repairing that bike twice last winter simple becuase I didnt clean and or protect it in anyway. Not making that mistake ever again.

(EDIT: The above reads wrong, cost around £250 on 2 occasions, £500 Total).

dizzyblonde

02-03-10, 11:41 AM

errrrrrrrrrrrr dirrrrrtyy!:pale:
One of mines been in the shed mucky now for six months, and its not half as mucky as that. Its probably considered clean in comparison.
Shame on you!:smt018

Don't want it looking like Suzy used to do you?, so get crackin and get scrubbin!

STRAMASHER

02-03-10, 03:27 PM

holy crap!!!!

so do you guys wash your bike after each run to work? just rinse it off or a propper sponge down?

Feck that!

Gets re-covered in FS365 and wd40. Layer upon layer maybe 3-4 times a week when I get in. Clean the lights and plate ... then its hot-bath for the rider time.

The silver bits are black and should be still silver underneath. Got the start of some engine case corrosion for the 1st time in 4years last year...the slippery (or flakey) slope I'm afraid.:)

My Autumn polishing of the forks is long gone too. Lunar surface now.:(

Paint has coats of Auto-Glym on it and just gets left. Getting an itchy spanner hand the noo to strip it down and de-grease etc, but our roads are still too full of nasty grit shicht. Trying to hang on to the end of the month where as you know it turns instantly to summer. ;):)

Good luck Mister C! I think you will be surprised how good it scrubs up.

Bluefish

02-03-10, 09:02 PM

did 100 or so miles at the weekend, so made sure i gave it a sponge down as it could be a week or so befor getting to ride it again and you could tell there was salt all over it.

5hort5

02-03-10, 09:14 PM

you have made me feel better with that pic, mine needs cleaning but ....

mister c

02-03-10, 09:50 PM

I washed her yesterday, she doesnt look too bad now & I'm hoping that the chain isnt too far gone. I could do with some feeling coming back into my arm so I can take her out for a run. I do normally clean her once a week, but have not been able to. I think a stainless kit might get bought sometime this year, but it does go to show that, yes, you should look after your bike & clean it whenever you can (especially if its a Suzuki) lol

AndyBrad

03-03-10, 11:59 AM

so what are proples thourghts on washing it after youve been out on a salty road but its dry? i mean surely if you rinse it then you might also make things worse?

also have people tried those foaming lance thingies? bet thats a cracking way of cleaning your bike?

Drew Carey

03-03-10, 12:15 PM

My view, if you go out on a salty road and don't commute, then it should be properly washed each time. No need to wash fairings etc if you don't wish, or tank, but would make sure all fasteners are covered.

If you commute, then shouldn't be washing at all, as should IMHO be coated with ACF50 and left. Unless you commute and wash everyday.

I don't have a hosepipe, so can't comment on lances, I just use a SDOC100 spray, then use a sponge to work it around, then use clean water in a bucket and sponge to remove the soapy water.

Davies

03-03-10, 01:10 PM

If you commute, then shouldn't be washing at all, as should IMHO be coated with ACF50 and left.

Agreed! I coated the R1 in the stuff in November and left it until last weekend to give it a bit of a clean; came up like new! ACF50 -> brilliant stuff!

philbut

03-03-10, 01:33 PM

I don't wash or coat my winter bike in anything. I just ride it most days which keeps mechanical stuff moving (it is a shaft drive so no chain to worry about). It live out in all weathers and has been fine all winter. Looks like an absolute heap but it gets me where I want to go - and thats all I care about. I may treat it to a coat of hammerite if it is good in summer ;-)

mister c

03-03-10, 06:46 PM

I do tend to wash my bike regularly in the winter. I'm strange, I like a clean bike in the winter & I dont mind a dirty bike in the summer lol
It doesnt take long to wash (unless you want it to look like new) the grub off it, plus if you wash it by hand, you can check everything is tight while your doing it

Richie

03-03-10, 08:08 PM

treat your bike like you would treat your willy... Clean it every time you use it in a dirty enviroment, and polish it to impress the ladies... ;-)

Specialone

03-03-10, 08:40 PM

treat your bike like you would treat your willy... Clean it every time you use it in a dirty enviroment, and polish it to impress the ladies... ;-)

There's the best advice you'll ever here on a forum right there, good work Richie ;)

Fruity-ya-ya

03-03-10, 08:44 PM

treat your bike like you would treat your willy... Clean it every time you use it in a dirty enviroment, and polish it to impress the ladies... ;-)

Almost dropped my pint....
:smt043
....funny as (insert profanity).

Love it LOLOOLOLOLOLOL

Will do :salut: but do I have to put a rain cover on if it's not raining?

Amanda

03-03-10, 08:48 PM

treat your bike like you would treat your willy... Clean it every time you use it in a dirty enviroment, and polish it to impress the ladies... ;-)

How does that advice work for Lady riders.....

treat your bike like you would your V-J-J, clean it every time its ridden, and pay special attention when its out in public ????

thedonal

03-03-10, 09:05 PM

yorkie_chris

03-03-10, 09:18 PM

Looks fine
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/8871/dscf7991.jpg

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/8486/dscf7993.jpg

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5499/dscf7992i.jpg

At least chain is OK lol

-Ralph-

03-03-10, 09:18 PM

thedonal

03-03-10, 09:23 PM

I reckon it'll wash up OK.

-Ralph-

03-03-10, 09:30 PM

I reckon it'll wash up OK.

Wish mine did. I'm in dire need of a stainless bolt kit. My flaky engine paint gets worse every time it has to wait a week to get washed. I just don't use the SV in salt anymore, unless I know I'll have time to wash it, that's one of the reasons I bought an older XT600.

The other thing I didn't know until I'd been doing it for a year is that you shouldn't wash salt off with hot water. I used hot water all the time as it was so much more effective at cleaning. It's one of those who wants to be a millionaire answers, if you're not a chemist and nobody has ever told you, you can't know any better.

yorkie_chris

03-03-10, 09:32 PM

So engine casing at 100 degrees is fine but bucket of water at 30 isn't? Who'da thought it...

-Ralph-

03-03-10, 09:35 PM

So engine casing at 100 degrees is fine but bucket of water at 30 isn't? Who'da thought it...

Is that not true then? I was told on this forum not to use hot water (50-60 degrees out of the tap), and the majority of the folk in the thread agreed.

If you can't get the right bloody answers 'cos nobody can agree on it, what chance have you got.

yorkie_chris

03-03-10, 09:37 PM

What do I know? I don't wash bike at all.

Argument is hot water speeds chemical reactions, true. Bike was hot and covered in salt while you are riding, what difference is there?

fact is you can never remove all salt. Wash with whatever temperature water you like, hotter is better IMO because it will evaporate faster. Then protect with ACF50. Last bit is most important.

mister c

04-03-10, 03:50 PM

Not being funny, but that mostly just looks like caked up filth, rather than damage and corrosion.

Howsabout showing the bike AFTER it's had a good clean- then we'll know the true extent of the damage.

Mine was cleaned about 3-4 weeks ago. Not had a chance since due to weekend weather and stuff, but I'm fairly satisfied it'll be OK! It had a good coat of ACF and Muc-Off Motorcycle Protectant in December and Jan too...
Yes, have to agree that it is just surface rust......................................My ar$se lol
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_x187wrpxju4/S4_V1kqlfkI/AAAAAAAAAuc/lFsuS0OlRoA/s640/LGIM0427.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_x187wrpxju4/S4_V2gXjjaI/AAAAAAAAAug/k5TiVCXPLag/s512/LGIM0428.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_x187wrpxju4/S4_V3JjEDVI/AAAAAAAAAuk/iXW2XIFZoJw/s512/LGIM0429.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_x187wrpxju4/S4_V4IabkFI/AAAAAAAAAuo/S6cRU-QUPXA/s512/LGIM0430.jpg

-Ralph-

04-03-10, 04:54 PM

Yes, have to agree that it is just surface rust......................................My ar$se lol

Take it it wasn't like that before then :rolleyes:

thedonal

04-03-10, 08:06 PM

Take it it wasn't like that before then :rolleyes:

Yeah, right

mister c

05-03-10, 06:30 AM

All I was trying to put over was that, with Suzuki quality not being the best, it is better to wash your bike straight after a ride, or, as other folk have said here, use something to protect it because, if you dont, it furs up & looks terrible.
No, it wasnt half as bad as it is now, especially the front end & the chain

-Ralph-

05-03-10, 02:47 PM

No, it wasnt half as bad as it is now, especially the front end & the chain

The chain at least should come good on it's own with use, give the outside of it a gentle brush up with a wire suede shoe brush as it rolls over the sprockets, clean it with a parrafin soaked paint brush, dry with a rag, and re-lube. After your next ride it will look good as new again.

AndyBrad

05-03-10, 02:58 PM

tbh i wouldnt use a wire brush. you could knacker the o rings, damage any coating the chain has. just my 2penneth

-Ralph-

05-03-10, 03:03 PM

give the outside of it...

tbh i wouldnt use a wire brush. you could knacker the o rings, damage any coating the chain has. just my 2penneth

Even just used on the outer facing plates? Aesthetics only? I wouldn't suggest going near the centre of the chain and o' rings with it. Outer plates ever been a problem on my chains.

Never thought about coatings, but my chain always has a nice clean coating of lube, so wouldn't rust anyway.

mister c

05-03-10, 03:06 PM

-Ralph-

05-03-10, 03:53 PM

I've soaked the chain in oil & I have been signed off work again for another 2 weeks, so hopefully it should have eased by then.
The other parts, I am going to have a play with some abrasives & see if I can bring them up to any sort of standard.

You'd be amazed what you can achieve with Jif cream cleaner, it's slightly abrasive, but test on a small area and rinse properly afterwards.

mister c

05-03-10, 04:22 PM

Big fan of Jif myself :) Fingers crossed

Kirkybhoy

05-03-10, 09:39 PM

have used SV throughout the winter and only cleaned it about once every 2 weeks... Still looks fine at the moment... but will be taking the fairing etc off shortly to clean it properly. any suggestions what is best to clean it with?.... apart from elbow grease..:rolleyes: