winter taking its toll on my K8?

is it me or are sv's pretty useless when it comes to winter riding

I've got a K8 fully faired sv650s - my first ever bike

I used my bike for 1 single trip a couple of weeks ago for an all round 120 mile journey which was mostly motorways (m25 then m40)

The weather was typically "british" (damp, misty) with salt on the road.

I've washed my bike well a couple of times since but even then i've started noticing some wear and discolouration on some of the nuts and bolts and rust appearing on the disks.

does anyone have any advice on effective methods of cleaning and maintenance or just general advice/tips to avoid her falling apart after such a short life?

thanks

[yorkie_chris]

Because you're washing it.

Cover every non-friction area in ACF50 and leave it alone.

If I have to ride when it's salty I nip in the garage and use the cold jet wsh to get rid of the salt. I haven't tried ACF50 yet but then I'm a girlie when it comes to cold salty roads.

Looks like you might be from round these parts (Londonish). Head over to the SOho Mahoosive section and introduce yourself!

[yorkie_chris]

Jet wash ensures the salt gets into every nook and cranny, behind every bolt, into every bearing. Not a right good idea.

Edit: If the weather is taking it's tool out, then that white stuff might be something other than salt...

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Jet wash ensures the salt gets into every nook and cranny, behind every bolt, into every bearing. Not a right good idea.

Edit: If the weather is taking it's tool out, then that white stuff might be something other than salt...

Fair enough. I'll rethink that then!

[northwind]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Because you're washing it.

Cover every non-friction area in ACF50 and leave it alone.

Yup, do this. All cleaning regularily does is reduce the time the bike spents salty by a bit, but increases the time it spends wet, and makes sure that next time you ride you get nice fresh salt everywhere. Clean then protect. You may clean it again if you like Mine is due a wash soon, March or thereabouts.

nothing worse than having yer tool taken!
ooer missus!

Steve

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Jet wash ensures the salt gets into every nook and cranny, behind every bolt, into every bearing. Not a right good idea.

Agreed, a wash with a hose pipe using just a flow, not a jet, of water is the best thing to wash the bike over with. Then use something like WD40/ACF50/FS365, or my favourite which is a mix of the cheapest oil you can find and paraffin sprayed from a squirty bottle, it doesn't last as long as the above but it's an lot, lot cheaper.

[Viney]

I have gave up worrying about my SV now after 8 winters. I havent washed it since April last year!

If the weather is taking it's tool out, then that white stuff might be something other than salt...


well it tasted salty