Winter Bike Protection

[randlemarcus]

Committed said:

Ever wondered why second hand bikes in showrooms look like new? Someone at a bike show told me that you can buy a silicon based spray which is similar to but better than WD40, because it doesn't wash off or dry out as quickly. It makes tired parts look like new & protects from road grime & salt attack. It also helps dirt wash off with ease. As a road & enduro rider I could put this to very good use but it would be good to find somewhere to buy it in bulk at trade prices.

Has anybody tried anything like this? Is it any use & where can you get hold of it becuase I'm sure it's a trade secret that every biker including me would like to know!

Moved it from a wiki, as it makes more sense to everyone else then

You're either thinking of ACF50 or GT85. GT85 is the WD40 stuff, and works quite nicely for the visible bits.
ACF50 is a winter-prep thing, and just coats stuff in a nice nastiness impenetrable layer of purply stuff.

[Taita]

Theres a dealer in Blackpool IIRC who will coat your entire bike in ACF 50 for about 30quid using a jet, similar to how they coat aircraft. I'm popping up there in a few weeks to protect my SV650s.

[Busa_Rush]

ACF50 has done a great job protecting mine, FS365 was crap, as soon as the road was wet (with salt) it washed the FS365 off and attacked the bike, the ACF50 seems to stay on and protect for at least a few washes.

[y2blade]

Taita said:

Theres a dealer in Blackpool IIRC who will coat your entire bike in ACF 50 for about 30quid using a jet, similar to how they coat aircraft. I'm popping up there in a few weeks to protect my SV650s.

a bit late by then!!!!

[Rubin215]

Clear car cavity wax.

Doesn't look too nice on, but come spring a good blast off with a hot wash and the bike is still gleaming underneath.

Alternatively, never wash you bike, cover it in grease and grime and it will never be stolen...

[Twit]

I use GT85 on mine and it works, quick blast each week after a rinse is all that's needed. Having said that, I don't really give a toss, don't understand this need for everything to be pristeen. Bikes are meant for riding not polishing, bit of dirt and grime and aging is normal and good. Gives the character!

[randlemarcus]

Twit said:

I use GT85 on mine and it works, quick blast each week after a rinse is all that's needed. Having said that, I don't really give a toss, don't understand this need for everything to be pristeen. Bikes are meant for riding not polishing, bit of dirt and grime and aging is normal and good. Gives the character!

Dirt and grime is perfectly acceptable, a thoroughly filthy front end always makes me smile, but I do mine to stop furry fastener syndrome. I suspect most of those who feel the need to weatherproof their bikes (me included) are doing it primarily to do what the manufacturer ought to have done in the first place, and to avoid spending silly money on new titanium fasteners (only because they dont fur, honest)