Salt Maintenance
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: Surrey, BC
Salt Maintenance
With spring starting to show up here in Calgary I got to thinking about cleaning around this time of year, specifically with regards to salt.
I got out for my first ride of 2018 on Sunday and for the most part the roads were dry, but I know any water on the road was laden with salt and that got me thinking. Are there any cleaning or protective products anyone is using to get the salt out of all the nooks and crannies?
Currently I use spray nine or diluted degreaser to remove bugs etc. but I feel those would leave a lot of areas unclean that salt would get in to and I try to avoid high pressure water while washing the bike.
Any tips are greatly appreciated.
I got out for my first ride of 2018 on Sunday and for the most part the roads were dry, but I know any water on the road was laden with salt and that got me thinking. Are there any cleaning or protective products anyone is using to get the salt out of all the nooks and crannies?
Currently I use spray nine or diluted degreaser to remove bugs etc. but I feel those would leave a lot of areas unclean that salt would get in to and I try to avoid high pressure water while washing the bike.
Any tips are greatly appreciated.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 1,524
From: Bunola pa
I live in pennsylvania and they salt the living daylights out of our roads and they like the liquid brine too. My advice....wait until you get a few rains to wash the stuff off the roads. It destroys everything.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,323
Likes: 2,392
From: Jackson, OH
If you don't like power-washers used on your bike (I don't) one thing you can buy is a $7 brass pencil-tip hose nozzle. The nozzle reduces overall water output while focusing pressure into a strong, narrow stream. Way more force than a typical spray nozzle but not nearly as brutal as a pressure-washer.
I recommend a 1 qt trigger spray bottle (buy it empty and get a good one) and add your own favorite soap or detergent. Spray the heck out of the underside of everything and the lower half of the bike. Use the pencil nozzle to target the stream of water when you rinse.
I recommend a 1 qt trigger spray bottle (buy it empty and get a good one) and add your own favorite soap or detergent. Spray the heck out of the underside of everything and the lower half of the bike. Use the pencil nozzle to target the stream of water when you rinse.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
BTW, born/raised in MN & now live in NE...our roads are horse-**** until end of April.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,054
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
Agreed. I ride mine up here 11 months out of 12 and they hammer the roads with salt. I don't see any signs of deterioration so if its that slow of a process (almost as slow as our bikes are naturally returning to their raw material state) then Ill keep racking up the miles. I don't think these bikes are as delicate as some think so enjoy while you can because tomorrow isn't guaranteed.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 425
From: Right Here
You're obviously not from a state where they treat roads in winter. Salt/brine = metal cancer. It WILL rot paint, metal, etc...anywhere/everywhere it resides. For motorcycles, there are numerous nooks & crannies your hose, sprayer, wash bucket won't get. Unless you (1) don't care about preserving your bike, or (2) do a frame-out wash...avoid riding until a few good spring rains wash everything away.
BTW, born/raised in MN & now live in NE...our roads are horse-**** until end of April.
BTW, born/raised in MN & now live in NE...our roads are horse-**** until end of April.
How many miles should I get out of it before it starts rotting everything?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,323
Likes: 2,392
From: Jackson, OH
Salt induced corrosion is real. Salt actually attracts and absorbs moisture, keeping salt-coated metal continuously exposed to both the salt and moisture. My company does snow removal and nobody is more aware of what salt does to metal surfaces and equipment. It WILL damage your exposed metal surfaces. I don't ride when salt is present...period.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 783
Likes: 316
From: NE Ohio
Another thing to consider is that the road doesn't have to be wet to get salt on/in your bike. Here in NE Ohio the salt residue is a dry powder that blows into every crack and crevice until we get a few good rains.