Triumphrat

chawbecker · 02-14-2008

Just got my first bike a couple of weeks ago, an 07 Thruxton. Love it, love riding, can't stop thinking about leaving work early just to take the long way home.

I do have a concern that I'd like some feedback on. I ride every day, which in Oregon this time of year means that I'm in the rain a lot. I also keep the bike outside. I'm planning on building a garage or moving into a house with a garage before next winter sets in, but right now the Thrux has to sit covered in my driveway. I try to dry it as much as possible before going under cover at night, and keep the chain well lubed, but is there more I should be doing?

How serious is the threat of corrosion? What can I do to prevent it? Are there any particular bits that are vulnerable? Salt is not an issue, as it's not used here, but is plain water and road grit a danger to my baby?

Raindogs · 02-14-2008

I bought mine in Portland and when I lived there had to park it covered outside for six months or so (spring and winter) and couldn't believe how quiickly small corrosion areas began showing up around the spoke nipples, fasteners and even on the chrome of the wheels themselves. I was religious about keeping it covered and dry but there's just no defense against that kind of P-town humidity onslought nonstop. My solution (since no garage) was to buy a cheap used enclosed trailer, use crystal dehumidifiers like they use in RVs to prevent mold and polish often. Two years and 12,000 miles later there is no rust. But you are up against a struggle living in that climate and parking it outside to be sure.

geolpilot · 02-14-2008

Well, if you don't mind an oily dirty bike, you can keep the chrome and most other metal parts sprayed with acf 50 or Corrosion Block. WD40 will also work, if you allow dirt to stay on it to hold the oil. I carried bikes to sea on small boats for years and kept them from corroding with WD40 and dirt. I spray the entire inside of the airframe of my plane with ACF50 or Corrosion block annually and it weeps out all year. Looks bad works well.

chawbecker · 02-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by geolpilot

Well, if you don't mind an oily dirty bike, you can keep the chrome and most other metal parts sprayed with acf 50 or Corrosion Block.

Where might I find these products? I might not mind a dirty looking bike for a couple of months if it will prevent rust from forming.

oregonthruxton · 02-14-2008

Last fall, I replaced my driveway and planned on building a new garage. Well the winter rains arrived and I didn't get that garage built, so I went to Costco and bought a canopy similar to this one, http://www.a1tarps.com/index.tpl?pag...ECTIONSword=ww . Be sure to anchor it as heavy winds will move it around. Don't ask me how I know.

G

Old Scratcher · 02-14-2008

Jojoba oil stops rust in its tracks, & it never returns.
A friend of mine put some on an old slasher that was rusting in his padock.
The rust not only disapeared (metal turned black), but 10 years later, it was the only part of the slasher that was left.
& it still looked the same as it had a decade before!

BeastInBlack · 02-14-2008

That is true, WD40 and ACF50 do pick up the dirt and make it look very ratty, but underneath the metal is protected.

My bonnie looks like a sack of crap atm, but hopefully after a good scrub down with a bit of white spirit and soapy water she will look nearly as good as before, I say nearly because those down pipes get so hot the protective layer just burns right off!

In the end the rust on the downpipes got so bad last winter I had to make a choice, sand/polish it down, make em black, or leave it looking rather rusty. Take a look:

In the end I sanded them down and buffed them the best I could, but they look a bit dull which is something ill just have to live with cos I dont want em black or rusty, although I wouldnt say they look dreadful.

I know I shouldnt have let them get like that but last winter my bonnie was my only source of transport. Oh well!

Apart from that, ACF50 kept my chrome looking top notch, it is THE best product you can put on your chrome during the salty season! There are plenty of online shops based on ebay that sell it.

At the end of the day your level of corrosion will depend on if you are just a sunny sunday rider or an every day whatever the weather kind of rider, as well as the general climate you live in.

One final thing on my T100 I have found that the finish goes off quite quickly (as the pictures show) if your bike is used as a tool as well as a pleasure machine, there are so many nooks and crannies that need scrubbing but are just impossible to get to without taking things apart.

CAPTDON · 02-14-2008

I think if not mistaken the Thrux has alloy rims? That will help some! The rust forms on the Bonne rims the fastest!! If I could I would have my Bonne sitting in my living room!! Aftwer cool down of course. Yeah its that dear to me!!!

GleaminTwin · 02-14-2008

I've been worried about parking my Scrambler on the street here in the city, because I thought the chrome wheels might rust. So is the majority opinion that ACF 50 is the best product to prevent the wheels specifically from rusting. Is this a spray on product like WD 40? If you spray on either of these products does it matter at all if the tires get a lot of overspray on them? Thanks.

mecscc · 02-14-2008

Well, it does if you spray WD40 on any part of the tread you ride on. Don't know about the other product.