OK, I'm a Complete and utter tw*t who can't tell the difference between brake cleaner and WD40.....

Argh!

Urgent advice needed please.....

Bit of a "complete ****" moment - was cleaning the bike today, and as I have no garage was having to do it outside... Cold, wet and grimey - that's my excuse anyway for the forthcoming saga....

I had just WD40 proofed my fork stantions, and other assorted bits, and put the can down to straighten my back. Sadly, I'd put it right next to the can of brake cleaner.... So I duely carry on where I left off, thinking it would be a brilliant time to clean the discs/pads as I'd just WD40'd the frame and maybe there were some splashes which could have landed. Pick up the can, start liberally spraying and think "hmm this smells wrong".... ARGH **** IT'S WD40!!!!

Quickly tried to wipe the stuff off the discs, used soapy water to clean and then instantly sprayed aroudn half a can of brake degreaser around the discs and calipers - yes I know I've probably ****ed the seals on teh calipers but the bikes in for service in a couple of days.

So - in the .org's highly valued opinion, have I f*cked my brakes and pads, or is it safe for me to ride around given I removed the offending WD40 straight away and replaced with copious amounts of brake degreaser/cleaner??

Cheers,

(a much humbled) Al.

brake cleaner should degrease it... try the brakes at low speed first! lol

ALSO.. brake cleaner is fairly safe to use near linings etc, thats what is made to do. shouldn't worry too much

Don't stress yourself about it. Degreaser first, then a stong concentration of a good quality fairy liquid in water straight from the hot tap. Then rinse with clean hot water. Repeat until its no longer greasy to the touch. Go for a run up and down your street gently applying the brakes (don't overheat the back brakes or lock up the front) whilst still on the throttle until they start to bite again.

[yorkie_chris]

They be right, just follow raphs advice

You muppet...

[yorkie_chris]

Could be worse, at least he didn't flick his dog end in the bucket of degreaser instead of the bin.

Not that anyone would do that trick

I almost burned my garage and 7 bikes down the other day.

Working alone with the doors closed and cleaning some greasy parts down with brake cleaner before painting them. I'd had a portable calor gas fire on, one of those Super Ser things, but turned it off when using the solvent. Anyway, as I was squirting some brake cleaner on a part there was a loud "WHUMF" noise, and the flash of yellow/blue flame was licking around on the floor where I was working.

Muppet here had forgotten to turn the gas right off, and had left the pilot light on the calor gas heater switched on. Lots of frantic flapping about with greasy rags and bike washing buckets saw the flames out in short order, but I did fear for the safety of all my bikes and a mate's ZXR750. Luckily the SV was outside so I could work at the bench.

I now have a large suitable fire extinguisher in there, kindly donated by a mate who sells them. It's good of him to store one of his company samples at my house.

that could have been nasty.

You ain't kidding, there's not a great deal of room to move in there when it's packed with bikes. In my side there was the ZXR750, Daytona 955i, SR250, CBR600, Gixer 750, 2 minimotos and an Italjet kids crosser, and there's a plasterboard stud wall separating my side of the double garage from a Bandit 1200 and a ZX9R in my housemate's side. I can't imagine how we'd all have felt if they'd all gone up in smoke.

Mind you, the SV was safely parked a good 15 yards away, but I put a whole week's worth of my life day and night totally rebuilding that SR into what it is now, and about 3 solid days working on the CBR as well. It's not the monetary value, it's how much of me and my time that's tied up in the bikes that matters.

Thanks for words of confidence/advice guys - brilliant stuff! Took her out for a quick run today, and it's braking better than ever, actually!

Cheers,

Al.