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2,699 Posts
I was feeling pretty pee'd off today...over the Xmas period I have been trying to find the time to give the bike "The Works"... by the works I mean thorough wash, wax, polish all body work, downpipes gleaming, all plastic protected with vinyl dressing, lashings of Motrax afterwash anti corrosion spray...basically everything gets a good going over. Most of you that know me and have seen my bike know I like to turn it out for rideouts etc... looking it's best and I always try my best to look after them.
It takes hours and I last did it at the beginning of November when I fitted a Yoshi can (and posted up these pics...) HERE!
Since then I have sprayed the bike over with clean water (after a run in the rain), applied more Motrax spray and just generally tried to keep it well protected as I know from past experience that even Honda's rot in winter! Only during the last two-three weeks has there been any salt down on the roads and I thought the bike was well enough protected.
Today was the first opportunity I've had to give the bike "The Works". I was aghast at what I found, after having left the bike freshly washed off in the shed for a week.....
* Furry engine fasteners
* Crusty salt penetrated paint on the shock body (the spring is OK)
* Brake caliper and rear sprocket bolts heavily corroded (especially left side where the bike leans over so most of the water runs off)
* Metal pipe on the left bottom side of the engine (mine's a 07 FZ1-N), part of the cooling system...
* A similar pipe just to the right of the oil filter, both of these are a mess with encrusted salt deposits that I won't be able to shift with out using wet and dry paper (if I can get to it)
* The horn is showing signs of salt corrosion
* The rear suspension linkage plates seem to have just a smear of black paint on them... the salt and my attempts to clean it have lifted the paint clear off!
* Same paint issue where the centre stand mounting point are
* Rust deposits on front and rear disc carriers
* Surface rust on the chain and linkages
* Surface rust on Yoshi linkpipe springs
Unfortunately I can't avoid using the bike through winter... and it's inevitable that there will be some corrosion... (I accept that and do my best to counter it) but this much corrosion.... on a £7K, 7 month old bike and effectively in 3 weeks (since we've had colder weather/frost). Or perhaps my council tax money is going on the most aggressive road salt known to man?
I have now tidied up most of the bike, the chain looks almost as good as new again and I have smeared suspension grease over just about every affected part. However I am thinking of trying for a warranty claim on most of standard Yamaha items that are affected. The ally parts seem fine generally but the painted steel parts that have really suffered, they simply do not have enough paint on them.
I have had corroded parts on Honda's replaced before under warranty, but I don't know if I stand much of a chance with Yamaha?....if this is just the way it is then I won't be buying Yamaha again!
....In fact by Spring (when the CB1000R is released) the bike may better resemble the Titantic! :banghead
It takes hours and I last did it at the beginning of November when I fitted a Yoshi can (and posted up these pics...) HERE!
Since then I have sprayed the bike over with clean water (after a run in the rain), applied more Motrax spray and just generally tried to keep it well protected as I know from past experience that even Honda's rot in winter! Only during the last two-three weeks has there been any salt down on the roads and I thought the bike was well enough protected.
Today was the first opportunity I've had to give the bike "The Works". I was aghast at what I found, after having left the bike freshly washed off in the shed for a week.....
* Furry engine fasteners
* Crusty salt penetrated paint on the shock body (the spring is OK)
* Brake caliper and rear sprocket bolts heavily corroded (especially left side where the bike leans over so most of the water runs off)
* Metal pipe on the left bottom side of the engine (mine's a 07 FZ1-N), part of the cooling system...
* A similar pipe just to the right of the oil filter, both of these are a mess with encrusted salt deposits that I won't be able to shift with out using wet and dry paper (if I can get to it)
* The horn is showing signs of salt corrosion
* The rear suspension linkage plates seem to have just a smear of black paint on them... the salt and my attempts to clean it have lifted the paint clear off!
* Same paint issue where the centre stand mounting point are
* Rust deposits on front and rear disc carriers
* Surface rust on the chain and linkages
* Surface rust on Yoshi linkpipe springs
Unfortunately I can't avoid using the bike through winter... and it's inevitable that there will be some corrosion... (I accept that and do my best to counter it) but this much corrosion.... on a £7K, 7 month old bike and effectively in 3 weeks (since we've had colder weather/frost). Or perhaps my council tax money is going on the most aggressive road salt known to man?
I have now tidied up most of the bike, the chain looks almost as good as new again and I have smeared suspension grease over just about every affected part. However I am thinking of trying for a warranty claim on most of standard Yamaha items that are affected. The ally parts seem fine generally but the painted steel parts that have really suffered, they simply do not have enough paint on them.
I have had corroded parts on Honda's replaced before under warranty, but I don't know if I stand much of a chance with Yamaha?....if this is just the way it is then I won't be buying Yamaha again!
....In fact by Spring (when the CB1000R is released) the bike may better resemble the Titantic! :banghead
