Brand new bike care

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?

ACF-50

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.

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?

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

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

Originally Posted by Xan173

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.

Dont ride it? he he.

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

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

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.