Detailing Question(s)

[cr0ft]

The wheels are, as has been said, uncoated. From what I gather, Triumph tried coating it and found it crackled and in general gave them issues, but don't quote me on that. Personally, I'd recommend sealing them now while they're pristine and not pitted (this is coming form a guy who dismounted his rear wheel and spent days wetsanding it recently and finishing off with machine polishing them with Flitz polish as the final step). They're pretty good now - not quite mirrors, but close - and I can probably get away with just the machine polishing in the fall followed by sealing them. I didn't have the chemicals and needed to get the wheel back on the bike for obvious reasons.

This stuff has gotten pretty universally rave reviews: ShineSeal.com ::: Protect Your Products :::

It's a process where the final step makes them slick and much more weather and wear resistant, should get a few years of shine out of them.

 

[mully95]

Just to throw something out there to help keep the bike clean after all your hard work is a cover. I have a Dowco cover and it fits the bike perfectly. I believe it's the large one with the zipper on it is the one I have. When I get to work the cover gets thrown on it in about one minute or less. It has vents to vent the out the hot air. It's amazing how clean the bike stays. Another option is rent a mini storage slot and keep it in there. I rode with a fellow who did this since he didn't have a place to park his bike out of the elements.

 

[cr0ft]

Oh, absolutely a cover if the bike is left outside.

Ideally, a non-contacting cover that you can even put a heater in to keep the worst of the moisture off the bike and out of the shelter. And if you get one big enough, you can even do maintenance under it even if the weather turns ugly.

Solutions there include CycleShell Enclosure - Outdoor Motorcycle Cover - Protection and Motorcycle Covers, Motorcycle Shelter, Enclosed Motorcycle Cover - Bike Barn - Memorial Day Sale - if I had to leave my bike outside, I'd have one of those, no question. Also good against thieves, out of sight out of mind.

(And on that note, you should also pick up some serious locks. The ABUS 8008 detecto alarmed disc brake lock is awesome, and some really heavy duty chain that's 16mm+ thick and a top of the line lock for that wouldn't hurt.)

 

[Sensfan]

Aluminum oxides from the inside out. Can't coat,as it would make it worse,so I'm told. I fell behind on my polishing, need a rain weekend to take the tires off and go at it with polish and a ball.

 

[cr0ft]

Aluminum oxides from the inside out. Can't coat,as it would make it worse,so I'm told. I fell behind on my polishing, need a rain weekend to take the tires off and go at it with polish and a ball.

Oxidization is a reaction with oxygen, ie rusting. So if you do polish it and then immediately seal it with something like Shine Seal it should last quite a bit longer due to no oxygen getting at the metal directly.

The Flitz polish I use also leaves a layer of protection on there which definitely extends the time it remains shiny vs if it's unshielded, so I'm pretty sure treating it will help.

But I wouldn't clear coat it the normal way, the next time it needs polish would be a nightmare.

 

[idk]

G'day and welcome.

Spray with Lemon Pledge, and wipe off. That's all I do and with 130,000 miles it still looks new.

 

[Jag]

As said above, lemon pledge, put your bike up on the flip stand spin the wheel and wipe her down after each ride.

 

[Death Arrow 007]

One part in particular that I did not know about is the stepper motor and the Throttle bodies. After each wetting, make sure you hit the moving parts with either WD-40 or Electra-motive. My stepper motor was worn out due to road grime as was the throttle body where the stepper pushes.

I don't suppose you'd be able to post a pic of the exact parts you're speaking of spraying, could you? I definitely don't want to have to shell out $2.300 bucks for something that could've been sprayed a little every now and then. Thank you much for the heads up on this.

 

[Death Arrow 007]

Lemon Pledge on the aluminum wheels?!? C'mon! You guys are pulling my leg, right? I've read through multiple 'Allegiance of Pledge' posts (see what I did there?), and I don't recall anyone saying anything about putting it on the rims.

I guess I'd be willing to try it since it's mild enough. Either way, if you see this post, please specify if that is indeed what you meant. I.e. putting Pledge on the rims...

Thank you.

 

[Fingers]

Pledge can be used on any part of the bike.