So I just got my bike brand new this year. I washed it and had to ride in the rain. When I was getting it ready to store for the winter I looked underneath my bike a noticed that there was some spots that were starting to rust. Now before I make this sound worse than it is the spots are in hard to reach areas on the frame that would almost seem inevitable to prevent from happening anyways. The other parts are just those little metal parts that clamp things together. Is this just something that happens that can not be prevented or have I really screwed myself over.

 

That stuff kind of happens, where do you live? also howold is your bike? My 05 Springer has rust in small spots not noticeable one of the perils of living in MI

 

I get rust here in Illinois too.

Not much you can do about it.

Metal parts are going to rust. It does suck when you can see it and cant get to it.

MikeM

 

Yup kinda normal, but everyone's reaction to itis different.

I live on the east coast of Florida, less than 6 miles from the ocean. The sea breezes ofsalt airand downpours keep things prime for corrosion.

If I can see rust, and can get to it, I will deal with it. Washing, metal polish, waxing, corrosion spray, whatever the case may be, I am after it the best I can.

If you can, get your bike as clean as possible, and then keep it as dry as possible while it is dormant. You could spray a light coat of oil on some of the harder to reach places and then trush soapy water in the spring to clean everything back.

Aguy from Florida isn't much of a source to ask about winter storage. Ha ha.

 

Had the same thing on the Sporty - bought in March05 still some salt on the road after a few days there was fur and some clamps/bolts had rust - one of those things with bikes being so exposed, most is surface rust and comes off if you get to it quick. Best way forward as PoorBoy states - is to wash, dry and wax all areas thoroughly then apply liberal coatings of an anti-rust formula (not the brakes/discs though) - ACF50, WD40 etc, then wash down and dry after every ride if you go through the winter. After I have done this for 3 years nearly now - and I ride all year - , the bike still looks like new. Its a labour of love but well worth it.

 

Fur? Leaving a trail of decapitated furry creatures?

 

Its only NOv, not time for winter storage yet, I rode to work today & it was 28, NOw its 63, well wrotht the cold, to get to ride on a beautiful day like this!

 

Winterize?

What's that...

 

As far as I can tell, some of the stock exhaust brackets and other small bits are bare metal. They rust like bare metal. Only took a week or so to start showing rust. I don't really care. I'm just saying that if you have the stock exhaust, you are going to have rust on your bike the first time it gets wet.