[cully]

The weather has been pretty ***** so consequently the bike have been under covers tucked away in the garage, or so I thought.

Last Sunday I thought I'd have a look at them just to make sure they ok, wheel 'em down the drive and back into the garage so they wouldn't be resting on the same bit of rubber. It had only been 3 weeks since I'd had the TBS out.

The amount of condensation on the bike was staggering, so much so that it had dripped onto the alloys, puddled, and started to pit them! Looking around the bike I noticed surface rust on the kick peg on the side stand, some furring and surface rust on the chain (the same chain I oiled early December!).

Totally peeded off with myself I spend a couple of hours with Solvo Autosol cleaning the rims, cleaning and oiling the chain, and spraying the rest of the bike with Auto Glym Motorcycle Protectorant. On all the chrome and wheel rims I used Vaselene petrolium jelly applied with a sponge.

Cos the weather has been so mild any changes in temperature will cause lots of condensation, not like the old days when Winter meant it was chuffing freezin til March


Take heed lads, go and have a shufftie at your treasured two wheels before you get a shock.

Phil
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Sorry Mate I Didn't See You
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[thehairyone]

Better yet, as it has been so mild get it out of the garage and use it, only down side is you still have to spend time cleaning the cr*p off it, but at least you get the joy of a winter ride to blow the cob webs away.
By the way any good ideas on cleaning spoked wheels?

 

[hinkleyboy]

failing that, buy a honda :wink: :wink:

 

[EnglishWombat]

I'm supposed to out my bike in a garage over winter...??? :lollol:

 

[doodledog]

still using my baby to get to work, its been really quite warm and I give her a good clean every weekend, the best way to keep it working is to use it, just wear the right gear and stash a set of daytime clothes at work :-D

 

[GeneralPig]

same old probs for me-riding thru winter and consequent rust-just keep using the bike...with cleaning it does seem to help. I think that's a keep on trucking post.

 

[Tricks]

12 years ago I had the same problem when I stored my beloved Rd350lc in the garden shed. On inspection it was plastered with condensation and tight when I tried to turn it over.
I decided to buy a product called : http://www.vac-bags.co.uk/

At one stage it was in there for about 3 years, when I finally decided to bring her back to life she was as good as the day she went in

Definitely a good investment

 

[JohnRimmer]

I can also recommend Vac Bag. I've used the same one for 10 years for my Tbird and it keeps the bike in perfect condition. I dry stored it at one point for 3 years and it was pristine. I keep it on the road for summer use. The Tiger is more robust (no bare alloy) so is ok with just a cover.
For cleaning spokes I use WD40 and a cloth. For alloy rims if really keen then alloy polish makes them shine better than new. Otherwise polish does a decent job. I find wiping the rim with a piece of paper kitchen towel after each ride to remove brake dust is worthwhile. It only takes a minute and stops deterioration. Probably not such an issue with chrome rims but alloy needs a lot of attention to keep it perfect.