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Okay, if, like me, you have to ride your beloved R125 in all weathers, it is important that you keep on top of bike cleaning and lubing, especially with the lethal road salt around!
1- Before bad weather starts (a bit late now, I know!) use ACF-50 anti-corrosion formula all over any metal parts, wheels, and electrics. (ACF-50 is basically WD40 on steroids, designed for the aviation industry, so if it is good enough for typhoon fighter jets, it should just about be good enough for my R125)
This leaves a protective 'film' on the bike. It is time to re-apply when water stops beading off of it.
2- Everyday: Allow engine to cool, then use cold water to hose the bike down. DO NOT USE HOT WATER, AS THIS WILL REACT WITH ROAD SALT AND FACILITATE CORROSION!!! Avoid using washing liquids, as they often contain salts which hasten corrosion too! Cold water simply rinses the salt away. Then spray the bike with WD40, GT85, or similar, to displace water.
3-Once a week: Time for a more thorough clean, using high-quality bike cleaner, such as Sdoc100 power gel cleaner, Castrol Greentec, Autoglym motorcycle cleaner, Yamaha Pro-Active cleaning gel, or MucOff bike cleaner.
My personal choice is muc off for all over the bike, and Castrol Greentec for more stubborn grime (on wheels etc.)
· Simply hose the bike
· spray on the muc off all round
· agitate any stubborn dirt (with a sponge or brush)
· leave for up to 5 mins
· rinse off
· Next, use a chamois to remove most of the water from bodywork
· Now, using a microfiber cloth, buff up the plastics for a lasting, deep shine.
Motorcycle specific cleaning solutions are usually more expensive, but worth every extra penny, as they are effective at removing dirt, road grime, and grease, are non-corrosive, acid free, act as rust inhibitors and contain unique polymers that give a spot-free shine.
4- Once a month: Time for a fairings-off wash.
This may seem like a pain, but it will allow you to clean and treat tucked away surfaces/nuts/bolts, and prevent long-term corrosion.
5- Chain Care: It is advised that you need to re-lube everytime the chain gets wet. I, however, feel that this is un-necissary. Just look at the chain, and if it looks like it needs lubing, do it. If it looks like it needs cleaning, do it. To clean the chain, the easiest method is to simply use MucOff chain cleaner. It is fairly effective, and requires minimal effort.
I think that is pretty much it. I hope you find this of some use, and you never know, it may even keep your R125 on the road for a few more years!
1- Before bad weather starts (a bit late now, I know!) use ACF-50 anti-corrosion formula all over any metal parts, wheels, and electrics. (ACF-50 is basically WD40 on steroids, designed for the aviation industry, so if it is good enough for typhoon fighter jets, it should just about be good enough for my R125)
This leaves a protective 'film' on the bike. It is time to re-apply when water stops beading off of it.
2- Everyday: Allow engine to cool, then use cold water to hose the bike down. DO NOT USE HOT WATER, AS THIS WILL REACT WITH ROAD SALT AND FACILITATE CORROSION!!! Avoid using washing liquids, as they often contain salts which hasten corrosion too! Cold water simply rinses the salt away. Then spray the bike with WD40, GT85, or similar, to displace water.
3-Once a week: Time for a more thorough clean, using high-quality bike cleaner, such as Sdoc100 power gel cleaner, Castrol Greentec, Autoglym motorcycle cleaner, Yamaha Pro-Active cleaning gel, or MucOff bike cleaner.
My personal choice is muc off for all over the bike, and Castrol Greentec for more stubborn grime (on wheels etc.)
· Simply hose the bike
· spray on the muc off all round
· agitate any stubborn dirt (with a sponge or brush)
· leave for up to 5 mins
· rinse off
· Next, use a chamois to remove most of the water from bodywork
· Now, using a microfiber cloth, buff up the plastics for a lasting, deep shine.
Motorcycle specific cleaning solutions are usually more expensive, but worth every extra penny, as they are effective at removing dirt, road grime, and grease, are non-corrosive, acid free, act as rust inhibitors and contain unique polymers that give a spot-free shine.
4- Once a month: Time for a fairings-off wash.
This may seem like a pain, but it will allow you to clean and treat tucked away surfaces/nuts/bolts, and prevent long-term corrosion.
5- Chain Care: It is advised that you need to re-lube everytime the chain gets wet. I, however, feel that this is un-necissary. Just look at the chain, and if it looks like it needs lubing, do it. If it looks like it needs cleaning, do it. To clean the chain, the easiest method is to simply use MucOff chain cleaner. It is fairly effective, and requires minimal effort.
I think that is pretty much it. I hope you find this of some use, and you never know, it may even keep your R125 on the road for a few more years!
A whole weekend!!!
