Rust and Corrosion

[Gone in 60]

When Mom gave me a Harley Davidson gift card for my birthday last year (because I own a motorcycle), the only thing I could find at the Harley dealership that I could use was a bottle of S100 and the change in cash.

I always dry clean my bikes with some kind of waterless spray or detail spray, and I found the S100 to be no better or worse than any brand of detail spray I had ever used from Mothers, Meguires, Chemical Guys, Nanoskin, etc.

[Cormanus]

Thanks Gone in 60.

[emptysea]

Should a bloke invest in a can of S100? Does it make cleaning the bike easier?

Yes.... much quicker. But don’t tell anyone who you may want to believe that it takes 3 hours and a few drinks to wash your bike

[peterbaron]

Going to heat my garage... it won't be to 70, but maybe to the upper 50s in winter. Thanks for the tip that this might speed up corrosion so I can keep an eye on things. Problem is that when it's 40 in my garage, I won't clean my bike, not even with S100, so it will sit with whatever grime its accumulated during my winter rides. A slightly warmer garage gives me an opportunity to wash the bike and then have a cocktail and cigar comfortably while I make sure that it's completely dry....even if that takes two cocktails and a second cigar

The worse scenario is salty bike, moisture and certain temperature.
Salt needs moisture to be active. Dry salt has much less impact on corrosion. Near 10*F/-12*C and below, salt is barely melting ice and working.
If you planning on washing your salty bike after your ride (when still warm), make sure to dry it out after.

Some helpful hints are better than nothing:

* "Wax protects the paint surface like an invisible shield"
* "In a bucket, mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a 1/2 cup of automotive wash and a 1/2 gallon of water. Stir the mixture, and apply the mixture to any areas of your vehicle containing road salt or a salt/sand mixture. You can run this just as you do soap threw your power washer."
* Need to do chain/sprockets maintenance more frequently, and I think gear oil would be of better protectant in winter conditions

Is not a rocket science Good luck and safe riding in winter Matt

[Gone in 60]

So, is it true what I've read about people building sprinklers into their driveways to clean road salt off of the bottom of the car before you pull into the garage?

I don't think I'd be able to cope with what you guys are talking about.

[emptysea]

hmmm..SOME CB riders are hard core

Empty Sea is one of the hardest core riders I know.

For someone who is a "rider", it really doesn't matter what motorcycle is between your legs.

There are riders, owners, and garage queen owners regardless of the brand of motorcycle.

I’m not “hard core”. I’m just trying to cram 50 years of riding into about (God willing) 25 years.

[Gone in 60]

Cormanus, to follow up a little on keeping the machines clean, this product has been my go-to for the past few years. I use it on our cars right after washing them, and on both of my bikes as a daily spray-and-wipe to keep them clean. It removes just about anything.

It sprays on like water, and you wipe it off immediately. There's no waiting to dry, etc. It's a polymer, so it doesn't really seem like it does anything, but after a few hours it will leave everything nice and slick.

https://www.detailing.com/store/nanoskin...1-gal.html

[Cormanus]

Thanks again, Gone in 60. My bike has a hard life and is cleaned only when necessary. I'm interested in anything to help me get into the hard to reach bits of the bike.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Incredibly, my ol' CB1100 never saw a bucket of suds and a rinsing hose. Mother Nature seemed to the job well enough.

The under carriage salt cakes stayed until the spring rains.

[Gone in 60]

Regarding the hard to reach spots, when mine is up on the center stand for chain lubing, I usually take the opportunity to spray my detailer of choice around the swing arm and up under the innards and wipe it all out.

Of course in my case I’m removing some dust and the few dirty spots from unavoidable puddles, but it would be a good time to get to salt and stuff. I find that getting to when you have the chance keeps it from accumulating.

But then again I’m the guy thinking of repainting his horn brackets.