Pickled Honda, anyone?

Last night, the outside temperature dropped just below freezing. As a result, all over the country, the roads have been scattered with salt. This will be continued for the next three months or so. This winter an estimated Fifty Thousand Tons (50,000,000 kgs or +100,000,000 lbs!!!) of road salt will be littered over Flemish roads. Considered the total territory of Flanders is only 13,000km² or 5,000 sqmi, that means a frikkin lot of salt per square inch of road surface!!!

Now I don't mind riding in chilly conditions, my 'comfort zone' is anything upwards from 4°C (39°F), but I have been riding with snow on the roads, and once even had to ride home from work when the roads were transformed into one giant icerink, when it had started to rain after a prolonged period of freezing.

So I don't mind the winter weather, but I do mind to ride on salt-covered roads. Not only does it create a false sense of safety, it is also very corrosive. Therefor I drive my car through the carwash with 'chassis cleaning' at least twice a month during winter, but I've never seen a motorbike in a carwash...

I used to spray my 'normal' bikes with Valvoline Tectyl Superwax. This way all the paint- and brightwork were protected against the road brime. After a while the bike looks like a ratbike, but after a thourough cleansing all the shiny bits return to their former glory, thanks to the protective layer of tectyl.

But I don't know if tectyl is useable on the Silverwing, because of it's tupperware. And I read forum threads that warn for excessive corrosion of the radiator, that is in the front wheel's line of fire.

So I wonder if any of you SW-winter riders have practical tips to prevent my SWing turning into a Pickled Honda???

Or should I just let it sit in the garage for the next three months or so...

ACF50 is an answer, at least I hope it is as I've applied to the bike last weekend.

http://www.acf-50.co.uk/motorcycle.htm

I use FS365! It's cheaper than ACF50 and works! I can't say more than that.

Edited bit.

TBH, I use a combination of the above with WD40 and a good polish.

I am not familiar with FS365 but I am with ACF50. I believe the US Navy uses ACF50 on it's fleet of aircraft that are on the aircraft carriers out at sea and I have seen some of the test results and it was pretty impressive how well it worked preventing corrosion from the salty sea air and mist.

Tim

FS365;

http://www.scottoiler.com/uk/Lubes-Cleaners-Protectors/FS-365-Corrosion-Protector-1-Litre-spray/flypage.tpl.html

How often do you apply the stuff?
I know spraying the bike with WD40 will protect it from corrosion for a short period of time, unlike the tectyl that sticks on for months.

With FS365 I give the bits!!! (Stand fast rubber bits and brakes a blast after a wash off!

It can be applied when the bike is wet or dry. As it's a light oil, when the water evaporates the oil remains behind to protect the metal underneath.

If you wash the salt off your bike then apply the FS365/ACF50 straight after.

I know ACF50 can leave a coloured tinge where applied, FS365 can leave a slight blue hue after application. Nothing harmful. I don't apply it to the tupperware as thats what the polishing is for.