Fighting rust..

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Apr 16, 2011 | 08:16 PM

#11

lo-rider

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Joined: Apr 2010

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From: Marina del Rey

Preventing rust should be the 1st priority. Do you sometimes store your bike outside, uncovered? How about in a dry, well-ventilated enclosure? I always ride mine dry after washing.

Apr 16, 2011 | 11:33 PM

#12

Hotwire

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From: Sooke BC

Well, Im in canada, Over the winter the bike was stored in a well ventilated garage.. but for around a month it was out in the snow. Now.. It sits on my walk way under cover. It probably took a beating because of the winter. but nothing i can't take care of I Imagine. Just gotta work at it.

Do you guys take your heat shields off to get at the actual pipes?

Apr 17, 2011 | 06:09 AM

#13

Blk and Chrome

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Joined: Jun 2008

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From: Connecticut

After I wash it and blow dry it I run it down the road to get all the water off it, all the screws have been coated with clear nail polish

Apr 17, 2011 | 06:36 AM

#14

jlasoftail

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Joined: Oct 2009

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From: P.E.I. Canada

for a good cheap dryer, just go buy the cheapest leaf blower you can find. My black and decker cost me about $40. Dry the bike as best you can, then go for a quick ride around the block. Also, if you keep it outside, be careful about what cover you use. They can trap moister. Might be best to get rid of some furniture and pull it inside.

Apr 17, 2011 | 11:17 AM

#15

Hotwire

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From: Sooke BC

I use an H-D Cover. Its ventilated, so trapping moisture is slightly ruled out.. but not totally. The leaf blower, That I can do... Ill see what I can come up with off of Kijiji or something.

The clear nail polish idea is a great one. As I rid a bolt/screw of rust, Ill hit it with the clear nail polish.. or some Gloss black to match the rest of the bike.

There are some places, like the bottom of the main shaft in the triple tree that is bare, and rusted. Ill hit it with the chemicals and see what I can clean off of it. Maybe some of those places... Ill hit with some bluing compound.

Apr 17, 2011 | 02:24 PM

#16

CountryD

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Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,775

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From: Northern Colorado

When I detail Bikes for shows, I come across surface rust all the time. Especially on the Tranny cover, in the groves. I use Mothers chrome polish and 0000 fine wool dipped in the polish. JUST TAKE YOUR TIME AND DONT GO TOO HARD. It works like a charm. Like it was new again.
Also, I just bought a metro force blower online for $75, they have great reviews, and are lightweight.

Apr 17, 2011 | 03:09 PM

#17

lo-rider

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Joined: Apr 2010

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From: Marina del Rey

Some of us have no use for a leaf-blower, or we'd have 1 already.

For about the cost of a leaf blower, an air compressor can be used to blow off water or dust, plus air your tires, power a paint spray-gun and small pneumatic tools. There are even air-powered MC lifts. Most of us can find many uses for an air compressor.