Salt!!!
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 11
From: Huntley, IL
Once salt is down I don't ride till Spring after it has rained hard at least two times.
Salt it self is not the problem. It's the chemical reaction to moisture that makes the salt do it's damage to metal. If it's cold like 0°F the salt stays like a white powder on a surface. But when it gets up around 32° and humidity is high the salt starts getting that slimy wetness and that's when it seeps into every nock and cranny.
Washing the bike after a ride you may get lucky. But I wouldn't trust it. My scoot was 8 years old and no rust before I did my last major custom rework..
For your bike not to rust you have to keep it dry, dry, dry.
Salt it self is not the problem. It's the chemical reaction to moisture that makes the salt do it's damage to metal. If it's cold like 0°F the salt stays like a white powder on a surface. But when it gets up around 32° and humidity is high the salt starts getting that slimy wetness and that's when it seeps into every nock and cranny.
Washing the bike after a ride you may get lucky. But I wouldn't trust it. My scoot was 8 years old and no rust before I did my last major custom rework..
For your bike not to rust you have to keep it dry, dry, dry.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 646
Likes: 61
From: Raleigh NC
Thx for replies ... I've always agreed with salt permeates everything philosophy. You can't wash it all off. Besides. Who sprays it down in sub freezing weather!? I'm 55 and prob. Not buying 10 more bikes in my life so want to take care of stuff more. Never wanted to spend an hour detailing after every ride either. Still tho... I want to be one of them that's says just ride it in the lousy months.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 586
Likes: 25
From: Ellan Vannin
Where I live, salt is in the air whether it's been put on the roads or not. Use ACF50 liberally on all the dark corners that are tough to clean, and otherwise hose her off after the ride.
DO NOT USE WARM WATER! It encourages the reaction that causes corrosion.
As for not riding because of it: get a grip and stop making excuses. If you don't want to ride, don't; if you do, do it. It's only a bike, and it's for riding. Storage doesn't do it any favours, either.
DO NOT USE WARM WATER! It encourages the reaction that causes corrosion.
As for not riding because of it: get a grip and stop making excuses. If you don't want to ride, don't; if you do, do it. It's only a bike, and it's for riding. Storage doesn't do it any favours, either.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
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From: Garland, TX
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I ride in the winter here in Tennessee yes they salted the roads yesterday and it will rain and I will ride as it warms up..The bike gets washed when it needs it nothing special I guess if I was paranoid I may spray it with WD40..
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
I paid a lot more for my car then I did for my bike.
I don't think twice about driving my car after the roads are salted.
Unless your going to keep the bike for 20 yrs. it probably doesn't make a lot of difference anyways.
For those of you who bought a used bike, how do you know the previous owner didn't ride it on a salted road?
I don't think twice about driving my car after the roads are salted.
Unless your going to keep the bike for 20 yrs. it probably doesn't make a lot of difference anyways.
For those of you who bought a used bike, how do you know the previous owner didn't ride it on a salted road?