Kawasaki 1400 GTR

1400 GTR - All Models => 1400GTR Discussion => Topic started by: seniorminnion on February 27, 2012, 05:27:51 PM

Title: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: seniorminnion on February 27, 2012, 05:27:51 PM
On every bike I've had for more than a few years, the levers and rearsets, exhaust hangers, footpegs etc.. have all stared to show signs of oxidation. Since this is the first brand new bike I've had,  what product do any of you use to protect the above parts ?   - some type of aluminium polish ??
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: Winston Smith on February 27, 2012, 05:38:36 PM
Wash with decent shampoo and dry off properly.

Only use cold water.

Rinse off every ride in winter or when wet with clean water.
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: routemaster on February 27, 2012, 07:33:47 PM
Quote from: Winston Smith on February 27, 2012, 05:38:36 PM
Wash with decent shampoo and dry off properly.

Only use cold water.

Rinse off every ride in winter or when wet with clean water.

Agree with that - Scotoiler FST365 would help but its down to the nature of the metal being used in that it will eventually oxidise

Kind regards

Steve
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: 100milesaway on February 27, 2012, 09:05:11 PM
Quote from: seniorminnion on February 27, 2012, 05:27:51 PM
On every bike I've had for more than a few years, the levers and rearsets, exhaust hangers, footpegs etc.. have all stared to show signs of oxidation. Since this is the first brand new bike I've had,  what product do any of you use to protect the above parts ?   - some type of aluminium polish ??
My  method is to  NEVER  leave salt on the bike when its wet.  :eek: Wash and dry the bike, and if possible leave in a garage with some form of heating, for example I have a greenhouse heater in mine. And most important as Routemaster says dont be shy with the Scotoil FS 365 I swear by that stuff. Make the effort to do the right things and you will be rewarded with an as new bike for a long long time. :yes:
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: O.C. on February 28, 2012, 08:16:40 AM
There's been so much written about various cleaning products, and how they do or don't work

Winstons advice is, in my opinion, absolutely spot on

Carefully read the instructions on the respective product, and follow them as instructed

Make sure that all water and cleaning agent is thoroughly washed off when you've finished. If you don't then residue can/will cause damage to areas of your bike I always dry my bike off too, for this I use my pressure air line

BTW, I recommend Muc Off, it works very well.. but again it is aggresive so make sure its all washed off

That reminds me I must wash it after last Sundays ride out  :embarrassed:
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: BigAlan on February 28, 2012, 08:21:37 AM
Muck off, tepid water (better for my hands), thorough clean using wynn's products ALL over, gentle ride along the road to blow off hidden stuff, polish using wynn's products, back into heated garage with carpet on the floor connected to optimate.

Sorted.

Alan
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: Andy on February 28, 2012, 08:59:10 AM
http://www.allyearbiker.co.uk/ (http://www.allyearbiker.co.uk/)
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: Boomer on February 28, 2012, 10:19:36 AM
Yeah ACF50.
I didn't on mine as the original plan was to use the 1000 as the winter hack.
Then the  :censored: :censored: :censored: Credit Crunch came along and I ended up riding through 3 winters on my 1400.  :sad:
She isn't really bad but whatever was likely to corrode/rust has done so.
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: Lonewolf on February 28, 2012, 05:42:45 PM
I swear by boiling water with washing up liqued and then let it dry naturally over a few days.

:whistling:
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: O.C. on February 28, 2012, 06:50:16 PM
Quote from: Lonewolf on February 28, 2012, 05:42:45 PM
I swear by boiling water with washing up liqued and then let it dry naturally over a few days.

:whistling:

Ya daft beggar  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: Foody on February 28, 2012, 07:21:59 PM
Quote from: Lonewolf on February 28, 2012, 05:42:45 PM
I swear by boiling water with washing up liqued and then let it dry naturally over a few days.

:whistling:

And don't forget the talcum powder.........
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: Cartman on February 29, 2012, 09:43:30 PM
I had my GTR treated with ACF50 in October with the service, I've ridden it all through winter and even though some days it's been white with salt it has cleaned up fine. Rinse it off with the hose, or jetwash if its really bad and add F365 to the exposed bits. Then use SDoc Gel to get all the ACF off when the salt abates, hopefully,and it comes up lovely. Through the non salty months I use Muc Off cleaner and bike spray to keep things sorted.Used this regime on my last three bikes and it works. See pics for what it looks like after cleaning this week.
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: Cartman on February 29, 2012, 09:46:36 PM
 :listencarefully: it lives outside all year too
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: Lonewolf on February 29, 2012, 11:30:37 PM
I wish my exhaust headers were that clean.  :no:
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: Rusty on March 01, 2012, 01:51:49 PM
Get scrubbing then  !!   ... those pipes are not always easy to get to but I find that the ACF50 keeps most of the shite from doing any real damage and so when it comes to washing the bike the dirt just comes away ..... :cool:
Title: Re: cleaning and protecting ?
Post by: O.C. on March 01, 2012, 06:45:30 PM
I was thinking that I should've qualified my remark about using an air pressure line to blow away residual water after washing my bike

This method is not recommended to be used in or around switchgear, only on things like screw recesses etc

Switchgear doesn't like water blown into it  :embarrassed: