Spring clean

[Ginger DJ]

Well nice weather is just around the corner soooooo......
As the bikes have to live outside and i work every hour that God sends.
What is the best way to clean up the forks, a case of too much salt and not enough cleaning. They are looking a bit worse for wear.
Also what is best to use to touch up the engine silver as it's coming away, especially on the CS.
02 650GS
03 650CS

 

[Flipfly]

Well nice weather is just around the corner soooooo......
As the bikes have to live outside and i work every hour that God sends.
What is the best way to clean up the forks, a case of too much salt and not enough cleaning. They are looking a bit worse for wear.
Also what is best to use to touch up the engine silver as it's coming away, especially on the CS.
02 650GS
03 650CS

Strip and powder coat. This is what I did to the RT for the cost of £20

 

[Ginger DJ]

Would love to but i have nowhere to keep the bike with no forks on it

 

[(RIP) The Wilbur]

Fork cleaning

If you mean the aluminium fork leg, I use Ally Wheel Cleaner from Wurth. You should be able to get similar from a local car spares shop. Wear rubber gloves when using it, scrub with a White dish scourer (the ones suitable for non-stick pans), & rinse with lots of clean water.

If you mean the chrome sliders, wash with plenty of clean water, dry & apply Chrome Cleaner & plenty of Elbow Grease.

I used to work as Valeter at SLM in Caterham & am setting up my own bike cleaning business in South East London.

 

[Jon]

I used to work as Valeter at SLM in Caterham & am setting up my own bike cleaning business in South East London.

Now, now, don't be shy young man! How much and what sort of discount are UKGSer's to expect

 

[Ginger DJ]

Thanks guys
looking at the bikes together it looks like the engine on the CS is painted a different colour to the GS or is it just my eyes. any suggestions?

 

[Flipfly]

Thanks guys
looking at the bikes together it looks like the engine on the CS is painted a different colour to the GS or is it just my eyes. any suggestions?

I had a similar conversation with colt a few weeks back. The general concensus of opinion was to leave it. Painting it doesn't work and you could end up with it looking even worse.

You could try Spraying the forks with Hammerite smooth when the weather gets better. Will warn you though, spray little at a time otherwise you'll feck it up. I learnt this whilst doing the fork brace on the RT for the 5th time

My desire to get it done outweighs my patience to let things dry properly!!!

 

[Ginger DJ]

mmmmmmmmmm wise words

 

[(RIP) The Wilbur]

Now, now, don't be shy young man! How much and what sort of discount are UKGSer's to expect

Shy & Young are not often (never) used to describe me.

Starting 1 April 2008, for first 3 months, £20 per bike. Bespoke clean from wheels up. For one & a half hour's work - that IS a discount.

I know I'm not a Subscriber, so advertising on here is "not encouraged", but you could contact me via the F650.co.uk site.

 

[Jon]

Starting 1 April 2008, for first 3 months, £20 per bike. Bespoke clean from wheels up. For one & a half hour's work - that IS a discount.

I reckon you'll get some business with that deal! I'm working down on the coast at the mo, but will definitely be in touch as mine needs, to put it technically "A damn good clean!". As to not being a subscriber, it'd be worth fessing up the tenner a year sponsorship money, you'd get it back in spades..........