Looks like we are due some more bad weather come Thursday of this week. :(
On the off chance that you are still using the GTR during the cold, damp spells, I honestly recommend using some ACF50 anti corrosion spray. I've used it for a couple of years now and its excellent. You can spray it liberally onto almost everywhere, (avoiding the brakes and discs & tyres of course ::)). It works a treat on electrics and creates like a protective field around the component. Even after washing, it keeps protecting the bike. Ideal for these times when there are scatterings of salt and grit on the main roads.
Does anyone else use it or do they swear by some other tried and tested product?
I got a company to valet and ACF50 protect mine when it was a couple of weeks old - http://www.allyearbiker.co.uk.
It is too early to say conclusively, but 10 weeks and 3,500 miles later, I would say it is still doing a good protection job.
Martin.
Mine gets acf50 and the scott oiler f365 treatment. I even put acf50 on the fairings
I've just been reading the All Year Biker web site in detail, I see they have a service centre at Malton just off the A1. There's a video on their web site of the process it looks very effective. Certainly gave the bike a good valet as well. I've always thought there was a nich'e in the market for professional bike valeting, could be a good business opportunity there for someone.
My bike was coated with AF50 in summer '10 and we shall see how its holding out in Summer '11 when I next wash it ;D
depends on the weather! but on average, every month I give my bikes a good wash down with a good quality car wash shampoo and spray down with the hosepipe. then run the bike at idle, while using a leaf blower to blow dry and remove water. then then spray w/d 40 on all the metal parts including the headers,shock,swing arm,radiator e.t.c,"excluding discs and tyres" ;D bike stinks and smokes like a hell for a 10 mins, but keeps everythink looking like new! allways done this to my zrx1200s which I had for 6 years. still look like new when I sold it!
A leaf blower certainly is handy when drying the bike. ACF50 is probably the best treatment for your bike. A little goes a long way and it will protect your bike from the salt on the roads
I'm thinking of giving my bike a treat and getting this done in the next few weeks from http://www.allyearbiker.co.uk.
NB, if you take your bike to Allan Jeffries BMW at Shipley they will do it there as well. I saw the advertisement recently when I popped in to get some Autocom accessories.
Ah, do they? I might pop in tomorrow morning. Need to go by Autorama, fit the deflectors, and might pop by Allan Jeffries as well
Did you get over to the BMW place?
Nope. Had to go shopping with the wife. Is it open tomorrow?
No they dont work Sundays.
well have just orderd 2 cans of this acf-50 spray! got 2 cans from chainspeed for £22.00 free delivery dont know if this is a fair price. seems to be approx £12 to £13 each on ebay, anyway will be doing the zzr1400 and the gtr1400 at the weekend. been reading some reviews and some are saying dont spray on rubber, some say use a cloth to apply, some say a paint brush. suppose I will find the best way myself to apply, but dont want to waist it by finding out! so some advice on the best way to apply,where to apply and how often to apply. also heard the bike looks like shit after a while due to the shit sticking to the acf-50, well this has gone down like a lead balloon as far as am concerned! ok I will still wash the bike down like I allways do, but will this remove the acf-50, thinking I would rather wash the bike every week and have it looking the dogs dangleys, than leaving it and it looking like a rat bike! so how do you do yours! and dose all the shit stick to the acf-50, if it dose do you just leave it or wash it off. p.s I will not use on tyres,brakes,discs DOH"! but every where else is ok!
There are different ways to apply it, depends how far you want to take it. It comes with a spray nozzle on the can, I have always just used it that way.
I tend to use it on the electrical connectors which acts as a good moisture deterrent, but you only need spray it very sparingly. If you spray it on your down pipes, they will smoke a bit and smell when you fire it up but no big deal. Some of it will burn off but there will be still be protection on them.
Engine casings etc are the obvious places to do. A more efficient way to spray it is with a fine air jet from a compressor which I dont have but I have seen it done this way. Theres nothing to stop you taking the fairing off if you were that way inclined and then coating everything under the fairing.
Have a gander at this..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9vQYaynqtg from about 1:40 onwards.
That,s a good video link .... but why has that funny guy wasted his money on a Suzuki ??
Quote from: Lord Rusty on February 24, 2011, 08:33:26 AM
That,s a good video link .... but why has that funny guy wasted his money on a Suzuki ??
Because he has no taste? ;D
Now" now, guys! one mans suzuki, is a other mans kawasaki. my mate as a hayabusa and he allways defending it! dont know why thou ;)
I have to admit I do like the Busa's
Quote from: Lonewolf on February 26, 2011, 07:32:02 PM
I have to admit I do like the Busa's
nar! there not fast enough ;) get a zzr1400 ;D
Last time i saw a Busa it was in my mirrors .............
Anyway ... back to the real world ... Mr Wolf ... are we saying one can spray this stuff all over the place, except wheels and brakes etc ?? I do like a clean bike so I wonder if there is any point in using it as I wash and clean the bike every few days ... daily commuter .... sounds like good stuff but maybe not for me ? What do you think ?
Leather it everywhere you can't see. As it warms it vapourises and gets into all nooks and crannies, into electrical connectors etc. and weatherproofs them. The stuff is excellent, one spray a year should be OK, you can still clean bike as usual, it's the bits you can't get to, can't see that benefit.
Thanks Winston .. that sounds good ... I shall go and find some in the next few days !
Quote from: Lord Rusty on February 26, 2011, 09:05:58 PM
Anyway ... back to the real world ... Mr Wolf ... are we saying one can spray this stuff all over the place, except wheels and brakes etc ?? I do like a clean bike so I wonder if there is any point in using it as I wash and clean the bike every few days ... daily commuter .... sounds like good stuff but maybe not for me ? What do you think ?
am only using it because everbody seems to! am a copy cat ;) if its good enough for there bikes then its good enough for mine ;D seriously thou! I also wash my bike at least once a week. and still will even with the acf-50 spray on, was hoping the acf-50 may make the cleaning a little bit easier :) and anythink that helps keep the corrosin away as got to be worth having! I understand the only place you dont apply the acf-50 is on the discs,pads and tyres doh :o! I intend to apply by cloth to the wheel rims and every where eles when I get round to doing it! am a bit tired up at the moment with other things,but will get round to it a.s.a.p :)
Quote from: Lord Rusty on February 26, 2011, 09:05:58 PM
Anyway ... back to the real world ... Mr Wolf ... are we saying one can spray this stuff all over the place, except wheels and brakes etc ?? I do like a clean bike so I wonder if there is any point in using it as I wash and clean the bike every few days ... daily commuter .... sounds like good stuff but maybe not for me ? What do you think ?
There is no benefit to spraying it on painted surfaces that I am aware of. It is simply a rust & moisture inhibitor.
Quote from: Lonewolf on February 26, 2011, 11:03:38 PM
Quote from: Lord Rusty on February 26, 2011, 09:05:58 PM
Anyway ... back to the real world ... Mr Wolf ... are we saying one can spray this stuff all over the place, except wheels and brakes etc ?? I do like a clean bike so I wonder if there is any point in using it as I wash and clean the bike every few days ... daily commuter .... sounds like good stuff but maybe not for me ? What do you think ?
There is no benefit to spraying it on painted surfaces that I am aware of. It is simply a rust & moisture inhibitor.
+1 - Was designed for the US Navy, think of it as WD40 or GT-85 on steroids! It's used for preventing salt from seawater rotting aluminium and metal on Navy aircraft.
Ah .... Winston.. you have it, now the penny has dropped into the right place. Ta.
It what I use on my bike all over including the fairings. Means that when it comes to washing everything comes off easier. I spray it liberally on all parts except brakes.
I'm going to give my bike a treat and get it done professionally this year. I think Martin posted a link to where it can be done for £60, and LW informs me that my local BMW garage does it also.
Blimey NB .. you wont recognise it when you go to get it back !
Quote from: Norman Bates on February 27, 2011, 05:38:55 PM
It what I use on my bike all over including the fairings. Means that when it comes to washing everything comes off easier. I spray it liberally on all parts except brakes.
I'm going to give my bike a treat and get it done professionally this year. I think Martin posted a link to where it can be done for £60, and LW informs me that my local BMW garage does it also.
Bloody hell, NB, be careful, its an executive sales showroom, not a garage. The folk at BMW are a tad sensitive. They couldn't even see the funny side of me praising the GTR when I was recently in their showroom. Its BMW or nothing with them.
I'll second that Mr Wolf .. I did seriously consider a GS Adventure a few months back, before I came to my senses of course ( !!! ) but I went to the BMW showroom on 3 ,yes 3 separate occasions and was ignored on each .. not just busy or " I'll be with you in a minute sir " .. I was ignored good and proper !! How can they do that to potential customers who want to spend money ??? My Kawasaki dealer on the other hand was at the opposite pole in every way and manner ... so that's why he got my business.
Poor show BMW and Hurrahhh for Kawasaki !
Yeah, its a shame really because there are some excellent BMW bikes. I just think some of their staff need to wind their necks in a bit and not be so uptight.
Dont even get me going on BMW service costs. :o
hi fellas
have just e mailed the company to see if they are coming to a place near me sounds like a good investment to me will keep you updated and will take some before and after piccys if i can.
if it means more time riding than cleaning then that gets the thumbs up in my book
regards
sheriff
Quote from: Norman Bates on February 27, 2011, 05:38:55 PM
I think Martin posted a link to where it can be done for £60, and LW informs me that my local BMW garage does it also.
Yep, AllYearBiker. Had mine done a second time last week, after 5 months and 7,500 miles. Bike came up very nice once again, and I do think that the ACF50 treatment is helping. After one winter, there are some areas that have tarnished - inside face (i.e. facing the rear wheel) of the exhaust can, underside of the shaft drive cover, and the headstock chrome nut. I cannot say I am particularly impressed by the finish on the GTR, but I have no other marque comparison to contrast with.
Regarding LordRusty's comments of being ignored in the BMW showrooms, I must say I saw that as a positive. I *hate* pushy salesman jumping on you as soon as you walk through the door, the stand back and wait to be asked approach works for me personally.
Martin.
Bike came back from its 600 mile service today, and I know its still new but I have taken all your advice and purchased a tin of the ACF50 ... I have gone for the option number 1 ... latex glove on left hand.
2 ... spray onto soft cloth and "polish/rub" round all the shiny bits.
3 ... wait and see !
I think that should do the trick ... I am not completely anal but I do like a clean bike and both my VFR and CB1300 were mint even after a few years of all year round commuting so I think the ACF will just save me a bit of elbow grease when it comes to all the nooks and crannies ! Thanks for the advice once again.
Clean? CLEAN??!!?? >:(
What is wrong with you all.
The word is Ride,..... RIDE!!!! ;D
Vivian gets cleaned when the light stops coming out of the headlights. ;)
Over this winter that has been every week when it was at it's worst.
Right now about every 2-3 weeks.
My 1000's got washed twice a year, whether they needed it or not.
ACF50 is good but expensive.
I've used WD40 or ACF90 for years.
Don't use it on the saddle either.
First time you grab a handful of brakes you'll make Aled Jones sound like a grumpy Grizzly. :o
What is really needed is something you can use on the wheels.
Mine are in a right state after this last winter.
Will probably have to get them stripped and powder coated when I have the dosh.
Boomer, I'm with you on this one. My bike gets cleaned twice a year as well. Most of the time I just ride. However, I do spray on anti corrosion stuff now and then.
But I think when I do clean it, it'll get a good cleaning so that it'll last for a while
Come on Boom .. you just need a squirt of MUC OFF on those wheels every week and that will keep the winter shite off ... then you can ride ride and ride some more ;D ;D
I hate to have a mucky bike, its almost immoral. :o
Clean, polish, clean again, polish. ;D
Bling!!
"Here Here" Mr Wolf.
Quote from: Lonewolf on March 17, 2011, 11:44:09 PM
I hate to have a mucky bike, its almost immoral. :o
Clean, polish, clean again, polish. ;D
Bling!!
You are an inveterate Connie Fondler and you need help. ::)
For me it's maintenance and farkling. 8)
For you it's polishing. :(
Each to their own perversion! ;D
Like it Mr Boom !!!! Some of us like to polish and clean whilst others like to tinker and fart about with swopping things over, adding extras and generally arsing about with a perfectly good bike and then of course there's NB and Mr Wolf who like to do it all !!!!! .... we all need help in some form or other !!! ;D ;D ;D
I farkled when I got it, now I just ride the fecker!
Connie Fondler - I like :D (might have to change my moniker to that)
I'm always thinking what next for the bike. The brakes need doing. The Hyperlites need rewiring. The tyres could do with changing. Might get the bike resprayed metallic burgundy. Tinker with windscreen so I bought a MRA Vario. Need a more accurate PSI device so bought that. Look there's a hot blonde across the street, shit, nearly crashed the bike ...
And there's still my pet project - adding a custom computer to the GTR
Yep that's me. I like to clean, polish, and take things to bits
I used to farkle but when i got married didnt need to.
I've tried MucOff, and about 10 others over the years.
Wonder Wheel gets it all off but eventually ruins the finish.
So, when I have time I'll be getting the rims powdercoated a nice mid gray.
Then they will look the same,..... clean or dirty. ;D
I used to get my nephews to clean bike but stopped when on of them decided a brillo pad would be a good idea. That was on my Varadero