Make your machine winter-proof
Pro-tips on protecting your bike against the bad weather
Cleanliness is next to godliness… 1
Before you apply any anti-corrosion treatment, you’ll need to make sure your bike is totally clean. Remove fairings and panels needed to expose the bike’s hidden areas and scrub away all trace of grime. Most anticorrosion solutions work by directly bonding with metal surfaces, so a layer of dirt will prevent this protective layer from forming correctly.
Rinse before wash 2
If your bike’s particularly filthy, pre-rinsing is a must. This will remove any loose road dirt that would otherwise mix with your shampoo and could cause swirl marking or scratches. It also rehydrates any baked-on dirt, allowing the shampoo to be more effective. If there are any clumps of mud, use the power of the water jet to lift them off.
Chemical cleaning 3
Shampoo and degreasers work to lift off stuck-on dirt and do the cleaning for you, meaning that there should be no need to do any aggressive scrubbing and brushing. Apply to the wet surface, agitate lightly, then leave it to activate for a couple of minutes. Don’t forget to clean any panels that you’ve removed, especially the insides.
Work it up 4
Work the cleaner into the chassis parts and engine first. Using a suitable brush, agitate the cleaner lightly. There is no need to scrub aggressively as this will cause scratching – instead the cleaning compound will break down the dirt and make it easy. For hard-to-access places use a DIY radiator painting brush, as the long handle will give an extended reach.
Dry and mighty 5
Give the bike a thorough rinse. Back flush the radiator to prevent dirt becoming stuck in the fins. Dry the bike off with a quality drying cloth, starting from the top of the bike and working your way down. Make sure there are no pockets or hidden pools of water lurking inside.
Choose your potion 6
Before you start applying anti-corrosion treatment make sure you know how to use it. ACF50, for example, can be applied anywhere apart from the brakes but is best applied onto a cloth first before wiping it on to the bike. A little goes a long way and it will creep into nooks and crannies.
Take time to apply 7
Take your time with application. There are loads of parts that can be treated on a bike, so go through it from front to back treating all of the exposed metallic parts – even those that have been painted or lacquered. Take time and apply the solution to the underside of the chassis components. Do the same with the crankcases of the engine.
A word about brakes 8
Apply the anti-corrosion product to the front end of the bike, the outer fork tubes and around the lower part of the fork and the wheel spindle ends, but take care when working around the brakes. Do not apply any solution to the disc or caliper and take care not to splash or spray any solution when you’re working on the forks or spindles. Apply carefully to caliper bolts.
Don’t forget the rad 9
Due to its exposed location, the radiator comes under fire from road salt. Corrosion will restrict the radiator’s efficiency and also increase the risk of it leaking. Apply the solution to the sides, top and bottom. Avoid putting it on the fine fins of the radiator, they are very fragile and will be easily damaged. Don’t forget to apply the treatment to the rear of the rad, too.
Keep plastics fantastic 10
Plastics can also benefit from a protective coating as it’ll stop dirt clinging and make the bike easier to clean. Pay particular attention to the underseat area, mudguards, chainguards and clock surround. Check the specific instructions for the product you are using, and treat plastic parts the same as you would metallic components. Apply sparingly using a cloth.