Triumphrat

03-25-2005, 12:06 PM

Sorry for the dumb question but I've only had the bike a week!

It's a 2003 Thunderbird sport, and I'm looking for some advice on keeping the wheels and exhausts looking good.

Are the wheels chromed steel or polished aluminium?

The exhausts look like chromed steel?

The handbook says not to use autosol or chrome polish!??

So whats the best thing to use?????.........................need to get it right cos I need to use the bike in winter to go to work??

Thanks, Pete :???: :???: :???:

MickMaguire · 03-25-2005, 12:28 PM

Quote:

On 2005-03-25 10:06, pete12000 wrote:
Are the wheels chromed steel or polished aluminium?

That depends upon the year - late ones were steel early ones aluminum. IIRC the changeover happened in late 1999.

Easy way to tell is with a magnet.

Aluminum wheel rims can be polished with steel wool and autosol to keep them looking at their best. This is all or nothing - if you do it one you have to keep on doing it as they will corrode faster once it has been done once.

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2005-03-25 10:32 ]

MickMaguire · 03-25-2005, 12:30 PM

The exhaust are chromed stainless, the can rust a little at the interface between the metals, but if you keep them clean then they will retain their finish. Polishes such as autosol are never recomended by manufacturers for chrome as it is abrasive and will wear the chrome away over time.

Soap and water is the best thing - then use regualr car wax (such as turtle wax) to keep the chrome looking like new, and to protect it from the elements.

Gerry · 03-25-2005, 02:50 PM

Pete,

i only use waxes for all my polishing, among the best are
Auto Glym, Meguiars NXT, Cristal Glo,

Auto Glym products are British made and are superb but i do'nt know if they are available in U.S.A. but Meguiars products are U.S. made and are very good indeed.

I personally choose whatever my mood takes me.

Hope this helps,

Gerry

SWare · 03-25-2005, 03:13 PM

Another easy way to tell if you have alloys is they say Akront on the rim. On the alloys I have used never dull by eagle. As long as they are not corroded this will polish them up nicely. Since it is non abrasive you will not run into the problem Mick describes.

stan

03-25-2005, 03:19 PM

Hi again Guys,

thanks for the info!.....................

have tried a magnet on the wheels AND the exhaust, they're definately steel, could it be a case of chromed steel on a uk bike??

Will use soap and water and Autoglym, and leave the bike at home when the roads have been salted!!

MickMaguire · 03-25-2005, 04:18 PM

sorry, yes the exhaust is steel, the exhaust headers are stainless.

the last bit about salted roads is the single best thing you can do to extend the longevity of a bike's finish.

jimmyj900 · 03-25-2005, 10:34 PM

I think the question of chromed stainless vs. chromed mild steel may vary by the model and year.

The pipes on my 2K Adventurer seem to be steel since I was able to weld a steel fitting into the pipes with a mild-steel wire in my welder.

Jim

MickMaguire · 03-25-2005, 10:54 PM

it's pretty easy to tell if they are stainless - a magnet wont stick to stainless very well if at all.

DAGAD · 03-26-2005, 12:25 PM

The stainless used on the header pipes is only 303 Grade and can be slightly magnetic.
Regardless of this, good advice from the other guys. Soap and water, followed by Auto glym.
Scott oiler do a 'salt neutralizing' all year round spray called FS365, and comes in 1litre trigger sprays. I have used it for the first time from the end of '04 on my bikes and am well pleased. Check out Scottoiler web site. Roy