Dont forget to wash your bike

[mister c]

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.

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]

Why, what's wrong with it?

[Jayneflakes]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Why, what's wrong with it?

It looks common!

[Drew Carey]

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

holy crap!!!!

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

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.

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

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]

errrrrrrrrrrrr dirrrrrtyy!
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!

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

[STRAMASHER]

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

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.