Salt advice...

[Cracker]

On way home this evening noticed the gritters are out salting the roads. After seeing what last year's daily commute on salted roads did to my old bike, I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to stop my new (to me) bike from getting destroyed this winter. (other than washing it every day)
Cheers,
Niall

 

[Gundog]

ACF50.......



or leave it in the shed

 

[dakarDude]

+1 - dont risk it.

I ended up with a very sh*te looking first 1200GS because I didnt plan ahead.

Clean your bike in SDOC100, let it dry fully then grab a bottle of ACF50 (offers are on now) and then coat it in ACF50 avoiding brake discs etc.

Dont wash it off at all until Spring after those bloody gritters are done and the salt is gone from the roads.

Just do a light wash down with COLD water (not warm/hot as this helps the salt do its work!), and let dry and recoat any areas that look like they have lost the protective coating periodically.

If you are really panicky about it, repeat the full SDOC/ACF coating mid-way through the Winter to be absolutely sure..

I did this last year with a new 09' GSA and commuted right through Winter, not one spec of rust.

I would even get a paint brush and dab all the screw heads with ACF50, including where the spokes go into the wheel rim.

This year I've commuting on my KTM 525EXC and thats soaked in ACF50.

My GSA is awaiting coating - in fact thats my plan this Saturday. I wont take it out now again until its ACF'd after seeing a whole bunch of gritters last night round here.

In Spring, SDOC100 the entire bike and then clean off the ACF50, and admire your seriously shiny (and rust free) pride and joy.

 

[Cracker]

ACF50.......



or leave it in the shed

Unfortunately, shed is not an option. It's my only mode of transport for the daily commute. My last bike got destroyed last year so I'm pretty worried about the new one which is 08 but up until I bought it in April had not seen a wet road and had been stored in a garage with a dehumidifier constantly on beside it! Doesnt quite get that treatment from me but don't want it wrecked after one winter! That acf50 seems like a popular choice. Will one coat do for the winter though?

 

[Gundog]

This is my bike last winter....under all that salt shyte its covered in ACF50, loads of it...but don't clean it off till the spring It'll be fine

 

[Gundog]

This is same bike last week...just been covered in ACF50 for this winter. Look at engine casings......still like new

 

[High-Tower]

Or just buy the cheapest, crappiest 250 trail bike you can lay your hands on and ride the hell out of it. I reckon on 2 jetwashes a year for the TTR and keep the GSA for when the gritters are locked away.

Still manage 12 - 15k a year on the GSA though

 

[Cracker]

Or just buy the cheapest, crappiest 250 trail bike you can lay your hands on and ride the hell out of it.

Anyone got one lying around that they want to donate to a good cause?!
'SAVE A GS FUND'

 

[AR14]

ACF 50 in stock, €18 from JD's

 

[DrFarkoff]

Take off the black plastic drive belt cover remove the sponge sound deadening and throw it away

Paint under there with Waxoyl or similar and refit cover

Acf may be a favourite but in my experience the constant splashing from the front wheel will wash it off

Waxoyl sticls it better and w good hotwash or a brush parafin and hose will remove for the start of Ahem "The Season"

 

[P.J.]

RUINOUS SALT

In Austria last January I noticed they were using tiny wood chippings; result - no corrosion or rust rot. AFAIK no salt use in Canada either.

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

Take off the black plastic drive belt cover remove the sponge sound deadening and throw it away

Paint under there with Waxoyl or similar and refit cover

Acf may be a favourite but in my experience the constant splashing from the front wheel will wash it off

Waxoyl sticls it better and w good hotwash or a brush parafin and hose will remove for the start of Ahem "The Season"

They seem to have omitted the foam sponge from my '09 bike

 

[DrFarkoff]

All I can say is Good!

You can see what damage the sponge does in behind the cover it seems to soak up the salty water and holds it and it seems to capiliary down between the paint and alloy

They seem to have omitted the foam sponge from my '09 bike

 

[T900]

get a fender extender for the front mudguard, make sure you remove the sponge behind the front cover and feck it away, if not already removed.
then wash with soc100, when dry apply acf 50. been through two winters and no rust anywhere. think duffys are doing an offer this week,
on speaking to various owners, you would be amazed how many wash their bikes with washing up liquid, its loaded with salt and rusts the hell out of every fastner and spoke.

 

[Stormforce8]

Just as a reminder - we have the ACF-50 Quart Bottle With Refillable Pump Action Spray Applicator - and don't forget the UKGSer discount is still running until the end of the month

 

[STUBBS]

acf 50 and a rinse with a hose pipe after each ride then a good wash off come the spring

 

[Cracker]

Picked up a can of acf 50 yesterday. What's all this about soc100? Can't seems to find it, even on google.

 

[davidgibson999]

Picked up a can of acf 50 yesterday. What's all this about soc100? Can't seems to find it, even on google.

SDoc 100.
Missing a "d"
http://www.sdoc100.co.uk/products/sdoc100-motorcycle-gel-total-cleaner

 

[Cracker]

SDoc 100.
Missing a "d"
http://www.sdoc100.co.uk/products/sdoc100-motorcycle-gel-total-cleaner

Cheers
Any shops around Dublin?

 

[T900]

bikeworld over on the longmile or online from motohaus