2013 Wheels Damaged by Road Deicer
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 459
From: Here and now
I don't want my wheels coated.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 2
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
Common problem with those wheels. Even if you don't salt them or otherwise abuse them they are a pain in the *** to keep up. Take some steel wool and scrub the bare aluminum. It can be brought back with a little elbow grease and the right technique. 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
I have an announcement.
Road salt, calcium chloride and all that other stuff they put on the roads in winter will rust and corrode metal. If you are a stickler for a clean unblemished motorcycle, avoid riding when they put that stuff on the roads.
Given that spring is around the corner I'd like to add. You can trim hedges with a lawnmower provided you tie down the brake bar and lift the mower by the edges of the deck. This is yet another one of those ideas that isn't really as good as it initially seems.
That's all I have for now;-)
Road salt, calcium chloride and all that other stuff they put on the roads in winter will rust and corrode metal. If you are a stickler for a clean unblemished motorcycle, avoid riding when they put that stuff on the roads.
Given that spring is around the corner I'd like to add. You can trim hedges with a lawnmower provided you tie down the brake bar and lift the mower by the edges of the deck. This is yet another one of those ideas that isn't really as good as it initially seems.
That's all I have for now;-)
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Feb 21, 2013 at 02:42 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 4
From: On. Canada
I don't have a magic cure for the damage to your wheels, but that happened to me on the v-max i used to have back in the 80's. Didnt wait long enough for a couple of good rains to wash all that crap away. Not gonna happen to me again.
Now, in the late spring, when they spray that salt brine on the gravel road i live on to keep the dust down, i cant ride for a week afterwards. Always hope they didn't spray while I'm out, or I'd have to ride through that **** to get home.
Now, in the late spring, when they spray that salt brine on the gravel road i live on to keep the dust down, i cant ride for a week afterwards. Always hope they didn't spray while I'm out, or I'd have to ride through that **** to get home.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 799
Likes: 8
From: central Il
If you plan on keeping that bike very long I would pull the wheels off and do a proper cleaning of everything, salt eats everything that's why when a cruise ships dock they paint as much metal as they can
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,282
Likes: 2
From: Northwestern Nevada
If you take her out in de-icing conditions expect to have the finish change, just like a young lady who tans too much will experience skin changes.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 2
From: Rhode Island
Simple solution : if you have a bike you actually like keep it far away from the harsh elements man made or nature! That's why mine is in the garage all winter & not outside ever in the rain!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: ne
I've got it, a simple solution to the op's problem! This is brillant. After reading the comments on this thread...Park your bike and...wait for it....don't ever ride it. Not in the winter not in the rain keep it parked in a climate controlled dust free containment area. Then come on here and tell people how to do things while everyone else is actually riding their bikes.
Gerk
Gerk