Splendor Maintenance Part II. Review on General Tips on Bikes

Since I could not finish my article in one part due to space constraints u will find my first part in.

Automobiles ->Advice/Tips-> Motorcycles à Member Advice / Tips -> Maintaining a Motorcycle -> Splendor Maintenance Part I(https://mouthshut.com/review/Maintaining_a_Motorcycle-72343-1.html)

Continuing from Part I where I left off. Now to get back to the solutions I have devised regarding the corrosion. Please don't laugh it works and I use it.

I selected a black bike so I could do all the minor touch up by myself. Since I wash the bike myself I constantly keep a close watch for new spots of corrosion. Under the seat inspection is carried out before & after the monsoon. If possible the rust is sand papered away(difficult @ the joints) if u cant do that no worry and then I apply Touchwood made by Asian paints. It's a transparent polyurethane paint meant for wood finish after its dry I then applies the paint(black in my case), this has solved my rust problem.

I have even applied it on the chrome plated saree guard but here one may have to re apply, as it tends to flake off due to the sunlight. For the chrome plated wheels, before the monsoon I apply a thin film of car polish on the chrome plated wheels and let it dry DO NOT WIPE OFF. This should stop corrosion on the wheels; this may require touch up during the course of the monsoon. A word of warning it will accumulate dirt and wont be a pretty sight. That's something u will have to forgo during the monsoon unless u want to remove all of it & reapply it again J. U can also apply a thin coat of oil on the rims to prevent corrosion.

I even apply car polish to the chrome plated handle bar during the monsoon, which is under a riding cover. Also while on the topic of car polish, u can shine up the matt finish fiber parts like the mirror, the fiber switch console on the handle bar and rear mudguard below the rear number plate. It will improve its look and protect it from the strong sunlight. I currently Abro liquid gold polish I have also used Turtle wax, Simoniz, Eagle 1 all r good.

To get a good shine of ur paint work & protect it from sunlight. First wash ur bike(never in direct sunlight) plain water is usually enough unless u have stubborn mud stuck on ur bike. If u use shampoo then first rinse the bike with plain water, then use the shampoo(again follow the instructions on the can) then use plain water to wash off the soap & grime. Wipe dry. After that apply polish(following the instructions on the can should be enough) the bike. Apply in small sections let it dry for a minute or two, (again in the shade) and then wipe off vigorously. I have seen'advise' given elsewhere that suggests keeping the bike in the sun after the polish is applied to make it dry faster. Believe me these atafat tricks r detrimental to ur bike.

Don't bother looking for exotic polish cloths Cloth from ur old banian is enough. I use it, its soft and works very well AND disposable J after that use a yellow cloth to give a final wipe. Some wax polishes tend to leave a bluish haze on dark surfaces especially BLACK, to remove the haze & keep the shine

After the first rub down sprinkle a little cornstarch(we know it as corn flour, I use Brown & Polson's plain corn flour, its used to thicken soups in the kitchen he he) J powder on the polished surface & vigorously rub down, this should remove all bluish haze from the surface & leave a beautiful shine.

Dust off any excess cornstarch powder left on the painted surfaces (IMP). This might sound like a joke but it works and I use this trick on a regular basis.

Tyres

Tyres can be made to look new & shiny if they r coated with a tyre polish/paint. A word of warning NEVERuse ordinary black oil paint to jazz up ur tyres. U get 2 types of tyre paint one, applied by rubbing it on with an applicator or second is sprayed on. The first is easy but when u r using the spray type take care that this paint falls on the tyre area ONLY, parts like bumper, rim, spokes should be covered up.

I have also noticed that in my authorized Hero Honda workshop they apply the liquid polish they use on the paintwork, on tyres, it gives a great shine & muck which sticks to the tyres after this application comes of very easily with plain water BUT I am not sure of the long term effects of this application. SO BE WARNED. What I have enumerated above is what I do for my bike, I hope its useful to all of u. Whatever I have mentioned regarding care of paintwork & tyres can be safely used on cars coz that's where I developed these tricks.

Happy riding.