Gravel Roads
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From:
Gravel Roads
I live two mile down gravel road before I get to blacktop. No matter how clean the bike is before leaving it is coverd with dust when I get to the road. Are there any of you with this problem and what do you do? Riding to work I just leave it dusty but after a week its really bad. Going out with friends I hit a car wash first, which I'm not real fond of and don't want to just dust it off for fear of scratches.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
1. ever seen the 'california car duster" it's like a waxed, dry mop. will pick up and remove dust easy- won't grind it into your paint.
2. if you swap 2 up to solo seats ( I do), watch for dust build up under the seat grinding your paint
3. if you have alot of washboard, watch for your saddlebag mounting pins vibrating out, I replace mine with $8 worth of parts from the hardware store. ( or you can buy a kit for about $30 from one of the vendors on this board)
mike
2. if you swap 2 up to solo seats ( I do), watch for dust build up under the seat grinding your paint
3. if you have alot of washboard, watch for your saddlebag mounting pins vibrating out, I replace mine with $8 worth of parts from the hardware store. ( or you can buy a kit for about $30 from one of the vendors on this board)
mike
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 773
Likes: 24
From: Findlay, ohio
Feel your pain. My driveway is a quarter mile long, but it is all on my property, so no other vehicles to stir up dust. I can ride slow and not have much dust at all. But I know what you are talking about with a gravel road. A road that long, not much you can do to avoid the dust....
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
We feel your pain. Only real option is, don't ride! NOT! 
Is this a public road? Does it extend beyond where you're at? How many people live long that route? I've got a cousin in Missouri who lived off a dirt road for a bunch of years. It is a publicly maintained road and when enough people moved out in the area (my guess anyway) the powers that be finally had it asphalted over. It's a LOT nicer when I go to visit these days.
Good luck!
Steve R.
Is this a public road? Does it extend beyond where you're at? How many people live long that route? I've got a cousin in Missouri who lived off a dirt road for a bunch of years. It is a publicly maintained road and when enough people moved out in the area (my guess anyway) the powers that be finally had it asphalted over. It's a LOT nicer when I go to visit these days.
Good luck!
Steve R.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
I live two mile down gravel road before I get to blacktop. No matter how clean the bike is before leaving it is coverd with dust when I get to the road. Are there any of you with this problem and what do you do? Riding to work I just leave it dusty but after a week its really bad. Going out with friends I hit a car wash first, which I'm not real fond of and don't want to just dust it off for fear of scratches.
I live on 6 miles of gravel before hitting pavement. It is truely a gravel road also, full of marble sized stone. It sucks bike wise, but as far as living standards go, I wouldn't trade it. Over the years I have come up with things to help prevent the paint chipping and sand blasting that goes along with living on gravel. For instance, I purchased a solid rubber large truck mud flap, and custom cut it to fit on the very bottom of my frame, with the appropriate holes drilled for oil changes etc. I use cable ties around the perimeter to hold it to the frame. I use 3-M chip guard on my frame tubes, and on the very inside edges of my fenders to keep the stone chips from occurring. Because I live so rurally, I have also talked to my few neighbors about slowing down when they pass me. Just like we all do when a warm blooded, flesh and bone version of a horse instead of my iron horse is on the road. I explained that an errant rock thrown up can do a lot of damage. They are all fantastic and said they saw my point and if they had such beautiful machines, they would feel the same way. Now, back to your original question, it's going to get dusty. Can't do a thing about that, but as you mentioned, don't wipe it. Wait until you can wash it. I leave pretty early in the mornings here, and Vermont tends to be cool in the mornings and evenings no matter what time of year it is. In the morning, the dampness in the air keeps the dust on the road down. Other than that, I accept it as the way it is, or move!
Last edited by Rickr01; Feb 18, 2011 at 04:08 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From:
Rickr01 I no what you mean about the loose gravel. Our grader operater thinks he needs to run over the road about twice a month and sometimes three. has far as living on the the farm couldn't be better. Bikes a 09 EGC maybe i'll baby it a few more years the go rat bike and not worry any more.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From:
Rickr01 I no what you mean about the loose gravel. Our grader operater thinks he needs to run over the road about twice a month and sometimes three. has far as living on the the farm couldn't be better. Bikes a 09 EGC maybe i'll baby it a few more years the go rat bike and not worry any more.
Thought about the duster but didn't know if it would scratch paint. Guess i'll keep hit car wash and lightly spray the bike down and wipe it off before the ride. Thanks for the replys
Thought about the duster but didn't know if it would scratch paint. Guess i'll keep hit car wash and lightly spray the bike down and wipe it off before the ride. Thanks for the replys
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
I only have a 1/4 mi gravel drive. Me and 2 other families use it. Not much traffic but when it's dry my bike is dusty. When it's wet my bike is muddy. It sucks, but what can you do?
I need a water hose at the end of the driveway to hose it down before I hit the road but it would be a heck of a long hose.
I need a water hose at the end of the driveway to hose it down before I hit the road but it would be a heck of a long hose.