frame corrosion and general disappointment with suzuki

[northwind]

Originally Posted by SV650Racer

If you ride any bike during the winter it wont look good for very long. You have to be pretty dam religious with the cleaning and looking after it - ie washing any salt off after every ride with cold water and then applying libourous amounts of WD40 to the frame or Lanolin to protect it.

Not true... You need to be careful, but with modern protection washing after every ride's just not neccesary. I keep on singing the praises of AACF50, but that's because it works.

This question might be silly, but how can the frame of an SV corrode as it's made out of aluminium? Unless you mean the subframe...

[northwind]

That's what i assumed they mean... Though aluminium does corrode too you know. Or rather oxidises.

The aluminum frame, in fact any aluminum, can and does corrode.
The white powdery stuff on the surface is Aluminum Oxide.
Rust is Iron oxide

The key difference between aluminum and Iron (Steel) when it corrodes is in the nature of the oxide (Rust)

In the case of steel the oxide takes up a larger volume than the original steel (this is why steel panels blister under the paint as they rust). As a result the either gets forced away from the steel surface or knocked off. The consequence of this is that more steel is exoposed to the oxidising agent, salt water, acid rain etc. The cycle therefore continues.

In the case of aluminium the oxide has the same volume as the original metal, it also adheres strongly to the metal. The oxide is less reactive than the aluminum and, because it is well attached and formes a complete coating if left long enough, it protects te metal underneath and pevents further oxidisation.

The only problem is it looks - HORRIBLE!

Hope this helps

[Kylie]

So on Northwind's advice I have myself a can of ACF-50, and a tube of the matching grease for good measure. Assume I need to give the bike a good wash, then cover up the tyres, brake discs and pads before spraying all over. I'm told you only need a very thin layer too. Any other tips?

Mike.

Saw an article on this site some time ago about corrosion - which basically ended in a member stating that its about time ALL bike manufacturers should start using more quality components and not just fobbing off bike owners with poor quality mid steel items - after all they are out there and we do pay enough.

[northwind]

Kev D's spot on... But a corrosion-resistant SV would cost considerably more than it does. Residuals ought to improve and maintenance costs would drop, so it would probably pay for itself, but if the SV went up in price significantly without some more obvious upgrade it'd cost Suzuki sales.

Kylie, I don't cover anything up when using ACF50... Just be careful where you spray it. It squirts like any other aerosol. If you want to apply it near those vulnerable parts, spray it on a cloth then wipe it on. I tend to spray a fairly large amount then use a cloth to ensure good coverage, myself. Oh yeah, don't waste it on the exhaust, it'll burn off.

anyone got any pics as i av no idea what im lookin for??

and i ride in all weather all year i no some ppl sayin the black comes of the frame scuf marks etc but i not had anythink yet.

jon

[Kylie]

Applied my ACF-50, wasn't what I was expecting at all, tis a gunky pink thing that looks and smells like furniture polish, spray it on in lumps then rub all over. Should have taken my lower fairings off to get better access really, that'll have to wait until I get a place with a shed/garage. Doused everything inside the fairing with the stuff though, should help.

[northwind]

Lumpy? Shouldn't be... Shake it well, and it should be a thick spray.