Under the Tank

[Rusty Bolts]

The alternator on my 07 GS had been making some odd noises. Took it to CWs in Dorchester for its 78k service and asked them to have a look at it as the tank was off as part of the fuel pump cracking recall (new fuel pump fitted). Any how the alternator bearings are buggered so new one due to be fitted courteously of extended warranty in a couple of weeks time. I have not had the tank off since I got the bike 3 years ago on 12k miles, much to my annoyance. I had a look at the bit under the tank and it was very dirty

It's a bit shameful that I have not had the tank off and it's in such a state. Gave it a good clean and ACF 50'd the whole area including all the electrical connectors. Very impressed that all the connectors including the 'brain' were all dry and pristine.
It's all lovely now

 

[Dahoum]

What did you do the initial clean with?

 

[DervMan]

Wow that's clean. Like Dahoum said, what do you use to clean it up?

 

[Rusty Bolts]

Take the tank off. I put the fingers from a vinyl glove over the fuel lines and drain hoses just to keep the water and other stuff out.
Initial clean with Gunk Ultra trigger spray (£1.99) from Trago Mills. Used a toothbrush to loosen it then rinse off with the Karcher pressure washer on low setting and at a distance. Then used Virosol watered down 10:1 in a trigger spray bottle again followed by agitation with a toothbrush followed by a good rinse off. Used the leaf blower to get all the water from the top of the engine. Then took all the connectors apart and ACF 50'd them. Careful you don't put too much in as the rubber seal on one connector became displaced through hydraulic pressure when reconnecting.
Allow to dry for an hour or so and then ACF50 the whole area and a general overspray of GT85. I buy GT85 in 1ltr trigger spray bottles as it loads cheaper (and it gets tar spots off). You don't need to use too much of any of the cleaning products and start to finish took 20 mins plus 1hr drying time. I also checked that the 3 alternator bolts could be undone as well. Bolt the tank back on and the jobs a carrot

 

[Bendy toy]

Mine was equally filthy but just got a soaking in ACF-50. +1 for too much in electrical connectors.
My surprise however was the amount of rust on the steering headstock struts.
It will have to be powder coated.


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