Triumphrat

GeneralPig · 04-14-2006

Just looking for advice-Spent several hours today getting the winter crud off the TBird. It's suffered a bit on the lower fork legs, grabrail, wheels and there was a build up of grease on the back wheel, which even Gunk couldn't shift.
Cleaning tips anyone-
1st for polishing alloy-can it be realistically done by hand-with metal polish- or do I need a polishing set attached to a drill?
2nd: what's the best way of shifting filth from alloy?
Sorry to be a bit of a novice on this but old Brits never had these probs (no alloy). :???:

hinkleyboy · 04-14-2006

wd40 tends to remove alot of ***** and brake fluid is good for cleaning wheels and allot etc just don't get it on your paintwork!!
also muck off is pretty cool just let it soak in before cleaning off
and if you coat the vulnerable parts with scottoiler fs 365 after its been washed n dried it will all come off easier next time!

JohnRimmer · 04-16-2006

the first lesson is if you want to ride in winter then get a second bike.I recommend a Tiger,much easier to clean.I have a 95 Tbird which has a lot more alloy than the later chrome versions.Try Belgom alloy cleaner and Belgom chrome cleaner.If the paint/lacquer on the forks is damaged then there is no fix that I know of.The Tbird is a great summer ride but rakes a lot of looking after to keep pristine.

GeneralPig · 04-17-2006

Thanks to both for the tips. I'll try 'em-bar the brake fluid-knowing me, i'd get it everywhere. I think I've got a fair bit of polishing out to do on the forks (the whjeels aren't too bad after a bit of hand polishing)-otherwise the TBird has been no worse than many others going through winter, though nowhere near as good as old lumps of metal from the 60's and 70's (bar Italian and Jap!).

Must admit I look at my mate's winter hack-an Enfield 500-with envy. Doesn't seem to matter what you do to those things.

[ This message was edited by: GeneralPig on 2006-04-17 13:14 ]

GeneralPig · 04-17-2006

Just a try to see if the image of a half-clean bike works...

IT DOESN'T.

http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g5...¤t=bike001.jpg

[ This message was edited by: GeneralPig on 2006-04-17 14:55 ]

Nickwiz · 04-19-2006

For winter I put a blob of LM grease on anything I want to keep shiny, brake banjo bolts, engine fasteners and all the other alloy doo dads. Then I give everything an all over coat of WD40 (everything bar the brakes that is). Once a month I wash the whole lot off with Gunk and elbow grease and when clean re apply. In between I give the odd squirt of WD40 just to keep it all greasy. Works a treat. My bikes get ridden all through the winter and still stay looking pretty good.

hinkleyboy · 04-19-2006

wd40 corroads thr fork seals and anything else that is rubber

Nickwiz · 04-19-2006

I heard that too but I've not found that to be the case! I've been using it for years.