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Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: donatelos on March 01, 2011, 06:33:36 pm

Title: what the heck is happening?
Post by: donatelos on March 01, 2011, 06:33:36 pm
Hi all, I rode my C5  classic last week in some dour weather and enjoyed so much stayed out later than intended so when got home it was dark and late so into garage it went meaning to hose crap off next night after work well sadlly ended up on a breakdown for 5 days 12+ hrs so today was the first chance to give bike a clean ,opened garage and thought some toe rag had swopped my two month old bike for a piece of crap the engine cases were pitted beyond believe the wheel rims a mass of heavy rust especially around spoke nipples the side stand and foot brake arm coverd in rust, forks also pitted badlly   all this on a 8 week old bike!! Gonna take a age to polish it to some resemblance of it's former self if possible surely this is not acceptable on a new £5000.00 motorcycle this day and age, dont get me wrong I love riding the thing but I mean riding not spending more time cleaning maybe should of got the C5 millitary without the chrome :'(. Don
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: r80rt on March 01, 2011, 06:44:55 pm
Had the roads been salted for ice?
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: Andy on March 01, 2011, 06:46:29 pm
I just got a very bad feeling.  Time to slip out to the shed and check out the slug. 
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: raycopper on March 01, 2011, 06:54:30 pm
Get yourself some ACF50 and use after each wash. Been riding salty roads in the UK, and has kept stuff like this to a minimum

Ray
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: donatelos on March 01, 2011, 07:03:36 pm
sprayed bike with that  stuff liberally  soon as got bike and repeated couple of times ,the road was wet due to pretty heavy rain so thought any salt should of been washed away as roads hadn't been treated in awhile ,councils don't spend unless necessary, however must agree can't think of anything else to cause this sort of corrosion, was just wondering if anybody else experienced this sort of thing,it near broke my heart seeing that mess.Don
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: raycopper on March 01, 2011, 07:12:54 pm
Can understand that  :( I must have been lucky. Worse thing I've had was slight rust around the spoke nipples. My bike is kept outside, and I never cover a wet bike, and spray around ACF50 after a wash. Hope you get it sorted soon

Ray
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: bob bezin on March 01, 2011, 09:34:41 pm
the same thing happened to a suzuki i had. road salt on a feb ride.  polished and polished .... never looked good again ..it  can happen to any bike.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: donatelos on March 01, 2011, 10:58:50 pm
had 4 susies an they were prone to rust if not carefull but nothing like this also owned Guzzi's the last 13yrs a bike a lot of people slag off and can honestly say never a prob with chrome or mechanical  woes  however maybe I been a bit unlucky but r I will make sure theres plenty of  protective spray on the shiny bits from now on thou  dont think it will ever recover it's former glory.Don
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: Chris-G5 on March 02, 2011, 12:55:07 am
So sorry to hear about all the rust!!! :( They must have some bad ass ice melt over there in Wales or you got a bad batch of chrome. I would notify your dealer and see what they say. I hope you get her all fixed up pretty again!! 
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: Bullet.wagon on March 02, 2011, 01:29:02 am
It's a shame all metal goes back to where it comes from. Polish,polish,replace parts or  turn her into a military.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: REpozer on March 02, 2011, 02:20:59 am
You gotta remember, none of the aluminum has any clear coat on it. You have to wipe her down just like a gun . I use WD-40, or anything like it.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: 2bikebill on March 02, 2011, 11:08:01 am
Sorry to hear it Don. See my recent post - "RUST".
Inspecting my bike after several months in a damp garage with a dust cover on gave me a bit of a shock too! Like you say - it's a heart-breaking moment.
I have at last brought it back to almost its former glory, although I had to replace the mirrors (rusted to buggery). The wheels had small pits which came out easily, but most of the rest of the chrome - tank & mudguards - was OK (regularly waxed). The Golstar exhaust had just a few minor pits, easily dealt with. Downpipe was ok. Brake pedal & side stand were well pitted, but fairly easily restored. Aftermarket chrome rack/sideframes pitted but not too bad - I'm leaving it off until I need the saddlebags for trips away. These, and the leather tool roll, had mildew. Some paint lifting from parts of the frame, now sqirted with ACF50. The alloy engine covers etc are pitted alas, and will never look new again, but still shine up nicely with a bit of elbow grease. The bike (11 month old G5 DL) is now gleaming and sealed in a bag with plenty of dessicant and a humidity readout, until the sun comes out again.
A hard lesson. I'll be a lot more vigilant and liberal with the wax in future.
Or I might just crate it and ship it out to Australia and go live with my bro.
Year-round riding weather and no corrosion worries. Imagine. Bliss...... :)

Think yourself lucky you didn't buy the new Bonnie, which needs to be washed and dried after every ride or the warranty is void!!  I kid you not..... :(
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: donatelos on March 02, 2011, 04:24:49 pm
You seriously saying wash every ride or void warranty? How the heck can that be proved and I would read that as "well my product finish is crap so if you don't wash each time it will fall apart" and here's me thinking it's 2011 and metallurgy is so advanced to 50yr ago when brit bikes were ruling,at least Europe,that clause would stop me buying any bike it was intended for,well off for a polishing experience now  an I hate that I just want to ride on this  nice day.Don
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: 2bikebill on March 02, 2011, 05:44:44 pm
Yes it's true. Scandalous aint it. See for yourself:

www.reviewcentre.com/reviews92495.html (http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews92495.html)
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on March 02, 2011, 06:11:02 pm
Ick!  I'm scared to clean mine now after riding for a few months in the rain.  Who knows what's lurking under the dirt?

Scott
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: 2bikebill on March 02, 2011, 06:22:32 pm
Definitely clean it or at least dry it if its wet. Constant condensation in a damp garage was what did the damage on mine. This storage bag I've now got it sealed in is brilliant, and the moisture meter is showing that the humidity has actually dropped over the last three days, so the dessicant bag really does work. Wish I'd done it at the beginning of winter...
 It's a bit of a job getting it in the bag and on the stand single-handed, but well worth the effort. I might make my own version for next winter - heavy duty plastic sheet over a rigid frame. Easier to get the bike in & out.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: motorat on March 02, 2011, 06:30:03 pm
i have had 7 triumphs. 02 tiger, 03 t100, 05 tiger, 06 speedmaster, 06 scrambler, 08 rocket3 touring, 09 bonneville. and put over 100k miles on the collective bunch of them.
never had any problems with any of them or with a dealer telling me i had to wash them and dry them after each ride before i put them away.
i still have the speedmaster and it is not clean.
but then again i live on the west coast and do not encounter salty roads.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: 2bikebill on March 02, 2011, 06:51:53 pm
I think this corrosion problem applies only to the new bikes. The thing about the warranty being void if the bike isn't cleaned & dried each outing is true. It's in the handbook so you don't find out until it's too late to change your mind. I was chatting to a new Bonnie owner last summer who was pretty pissed off about it.
Considering the UK weather, it's a shitty deal.
It's a Triumph Jim - but not as we know it...........
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: donatelos on March 02, 2011, 07:14:57 pm
just finished polising for the last 2 1/2  hrs not a happy bunny for that  by any means but at least it looks a bit like the bike I bought though not quite think thats gone for ever  :'( drowned  it in spray so next time I  brake may go for a slide or not who knows,will be a lot more attentive to this prob  and if it persits to this degree may well consider turning into a millatary if cost not prohibitive,sad to have such a silly deficiency on what is such a great  little machine  you only  need one disgruntled custumer /owner to tar the whole Enfield  fleet as rubbish,rust buckets etc etc the fact that the machine will pull you and cargo over the top of the world taking all you throw at it will be completley overlooked would you  agree with that statement?. So a lot happier fellow than last night will say  tara .Don
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: 2bikebill on March 02, 2011, 07:31:05 pm
I don't really think they're rust buckets. Put any machine away wet, especially a bike, and rust soon moves in. It's a lesson well learned here - a lot of chrome on my G5DL, so a bit of regular TLC isn't unreasonable. It's getting the thing dry after a good clean once the rainy season starts is a problem. I'll be using a hot air gun next time, then sealing it off from the air.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: bob bezin on March 02, 2011, 07:41:34 pm
except the 64 (or 63) bsa super rocket  they did'nt rust ... story.. had mine parked in a garage next to my buddies norton we had a big rain 3 inches of water in the garage about a week later we went to take out the bikes and the norton was covered with rust and the bsa was shining like a new dime.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: donatelos on March 02, 2011, 08:00:52 pm
just been told by a buddy of mine that the powers that be mixed the salt with a additive to cut costs some horrid sticky stuff that clings to the bikes et all and eats it away he has had same prob this year for first time on his bike (Guzzi) he got back from buisiness trip from states and hisbike was destroyed like mine . I hate goverments and councils now  ;D >:( Don
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: Andy on March 03, 2011, 12:33:28 am
I hate goverments and councils now  ;D >:( Don

It took ya this long?   :P
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: singhg5 on March 03, 2011, 12:52:02 am
just been told by a buddy of mine that the powers that be mixed the salt with a additive to cut costs some horrid sticky stuff that clings to the bikes et all and eats it away he has had same prob this year for first time on his bike (Guzzi) he got back from buisiness trip from states and hisbike was destroyed like mine . I hate goverments and councils now  ;D >:( Don

Don:

Just last week, I looked at my bike after a ride.  To my horror  >:( there was 'stuff' / crystals sticking to the surface of metal and salt pits on the front forks and on the front axle, its nuts and around it.  Mind you I have been riding my bike once every week even in this winter.  We had a severe winter - lots of sand, salt what-not on the road.  Occasionally, the melted water with salt in it splashed on the bike.  BUT, I was wiping my back with dry cloth every time - it was too cold to wash.  LESSON - wiping with dry cloth did not completely remove everything from metal.  On a less cold day, I washed it thoroughly with soap (S-100) and hot water.  Dried it.  THEN sprayed WD-40 everywhere and rubbed it in with a WD-40 soaked cloth.  

It has come back to its beautiful black glory.  Now WD-40 is my friend   ;D!
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: Desi Bike on March 03, 2011, 02:04:38 am
Well, the logo does say "built like a gun"...

Any respectable gun owner cleans and oils up a gun after a day of shooting, but not to the anal extent that new Triumph owners have to contend with.

As I haven't yet currently taken the plunge and bought my red C5, I am wondering if I should grab a bucket of clear coat paint and lather up the bike fresh from OVC's (ahem..) showroom before I subject it to Ontario's brine soaked roads in the fall and spring.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: ToesNose on March 03, 2011, 02:19:21 am
Well, the logo does say "built like a gun"...

Any respectable gun owner cleans and oils up a gun after a day of shooting

I always clean mine after shooting  ;)
But I do find cleaning guns alot more relaxing then cleaning bikes  ;D
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: donatelos on March 03, 2011, 04:21:04 pm
Singhhg5 was told long time ago never ever wash road salt off with hot water allways use cold as the salt reacts with the hot water to make it even more caustic, over the years I have heard this advice a number of times from people who know what their talking about  and as I said at the start of the thread I arrived home too late to carry out a hosing down and work caught me out for next few days  I allways hose  my bikes  after a ride in winter then a quick wipe over and a spray with wd40 or such like but alas alck not this time but bet your boots I wont ever miss that routine again I hate cleaning bikes and yep took me awhile the realise how much I hate councils  :) Don
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: bob bezin on March 03, 2011, 04:56:21 pm
maybe i need a spare rat bike to ride under these conditions i'm not taking anything i have on the road untill after a few good heavy rains.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: Desi Bike on March 03, 2011, 06:55:28 pm
A few heavy rains should do it. The first rain will just wet down all the salty crap that is stuck not only on the roads, but on everyone's cars undersides too, making for a lovely bring bath for a bike.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: Andy on March 03, 2011, 09:29:38 pm
I always clean mine after shooting  ;)
But I do find cleaning guns alot more relaxing then cleaning bikes  ;D

Cleaning my guns isn't quite as hard on my knees.   :D
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: prof_stack on March 04, 2011, 04:17:24 am
In Seattle my garage is damp during this rainy season and the C5 is often moist, a breeding ground for pitting. 

Today I checked on it and there isn't anything to worry about right now.  I did put some wax (The nFIeld store foam stuff with carnueba) on the black bits as well as the wheels, just to coat them. 

Semichrome on the side casings brought back some original shine.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: GreenMachine on March 04, 2011, 05:30:37 pm
that's what i love about the irons they really don't rust that much..sorry to hear about the c5's... ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: 2bikebill on March 04, 2011, 05:37:15 pm
Park one in my garage for the winter....  your  ;D will quickly turn to  >:(  

Want to put a tenner on it....?   ;)
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: GreenMachine on March 04, 2011, 05:42:07 pm
yeah i know u right and mine sits for a good three months in dry garage with the other two bikes and the zero turn mower....screw the cars, they can take the rain, snow  and uv's....do i have priorities right or what..
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: 2bikebill on March 04, 2011, 05:53:00 pm
Dry garage  ??!!  :o  I'd quite forgotten those two words could sit happily together   :D

Actually I spent the week taking the ivy off the walls, pressure-washing and water-sealing the roof, and hacking back the undergrowth round my sorry excuse for a garage.  It wont make it dry but it's got to be an improvement.
Meanwhile, whatever the conditions next winter, the bag storage idea works a treat - bike still gleaming and bone dry inside.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: ScooterBob on March 04, 2011, 06:38:20 pm
that's what i love about the irons they really don't rust that much..sorry to hear about the c5's... ;D ;D ;D

That's because the pig iron lump of a cylinder acts as cathodic protection for every piece of metal that might corrode in a three block area! Hahaha! I have TWO sitting together, so the whole TOWN is probably safe .....  ::)
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: r80rt on March 04, 2011, 06:47:29 pm
Never had any rust problems with mine, must be a northern thang ;)
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: singhg5 on March 04, 2011, 10:00:43 pm
Meanwhile, whatever the conditions next winter, the bag storage idea works a treat - bike still gleaming and bone dry inside.

@Will:

Can you post a picture of your bike in the bag storage thingy !  I may consider it next time.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: 2bikebill on March 05, 2011, 08:27:40 am
Singh  -  Three pics. The bag is tied off at the back with a re-usable cable-tie. You don't have to suck air out with a vacuum, just squeeze out the excess so the dessicant has less air to dry out. The dessicant is on the floor between the wheels. Humidity indicator on seat (just a card with graded colour strips).
It's a bit tricky to get the bike in the bag and on its stand on your own - I suspended the bag from a beam, but easier with a helper. Heavy duty plastic but can be punctured. Easily repaired with tape. Bike must be dry. Piece of wood required for centre stand to go on.
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: Marrtyn on March 05, 2011, 11:58:59 am
My bike was put away last November for the winter.
I did'nt clean it, it went away dirty, but I lathered it up with ACF50, on top of the dirt.
Last week I cleaned the lot of using "Muck Off".
The bike has come up like new. Just waiting now for the temp., to rise to get out and ride. 8)
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: cyrusb on March 05, 2011, 08:30:41 pm
I always clean mine after shooting  ;)
But I do find cleaning guns alot more relaxing then cleaning bikes  ;D
Agreed, but it's a lot harder to shoot yourself when your cleaning your bike. ;)
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: GreenMachine on March 06, 2011, 01:52:53 am
willw: if u can just suck it a bit more it might collapse and then u can put it under the bed...that's what my wife does with the clothes that we no longer use for the season...shrink them and store away...man does that stuff compress...it reconstitutes itself too when u open it up... ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: 2bikebill on March 06, 2011, 08:42:05 am
 :D  It'd be handy wouldn't it. Indoors is the ideal place for the bike over winter - shrunk or not. I hadn't entirely ruled it out until the bag idea came along (indoors that is - not shrunk...)

Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: singhg5 on March 08, 2011, 08:31:44 pm
Singh  -  Three pics. The bag is tied off at the back with a re-usable cable-tie. You don't have to suck air out with a vacuum, just squeeze out the excess so the dessicant has less air to dry out. The dessicant is on the floor between the wheels. Humidity indicator on seat (just a card with graded colour strips).

It's a bit tricky to get the bike in the bag and on its stand on your own - I suspended the bag from a beam, but easier with a helper. Heavy duty plastic but can be punctured. Easily repaired with tape. Bike must be dry. Piece of wood required for centre stand to go on.

@Will:

Thanks.  Your bike looks safe.  

Look at the silencer of my G5  - Throughout the length of the pipe it is full of rust spots on the side facing the chain and the underside  :(.

Anyone else seen this on your bike ?
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: 2bikebill on March 09, 2011, 08:59:23 am
I guess it's getting the worst of the weather and road conditions down there. You may find that a surprising amount will polish out with something like Autosol, then you could give it a coat of ACF50 (you can rub it on with a rag).
My stock silencer has been resting, uncovered, on a rafter right under the garage roof since I fitted the Goldie. It's still in good shape. The Goldie had a few very small rust spots, mostly top & side, which were easily polished out with Autosol. These from condensation in the garage. The underside is ok.

Spring has arrived in Devon and the bike is now out of its bag and on the road again. Three glorious 100 mile rides already. Ran a bit rough for the first couple of miles, but back to its former glory very quickly. It keeps sneaking up to seventy when I think I'm doing sixty, and seems quite relaxed about it. But I'm starting to keep an eye on the speedo until I'm re-aclimatised  - a lot of harum scarum curves round these parts...... :o
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: Andy on March 12, 2011, 09:53:53 am
I got another six inches of snow two days ago.  You guys are killin' me, killin' me!
Title: Re: what the heck is happening?
Post by: GreenMachine on March 12, 2011, 04:30:38 pm
how can ya stand it.....i would think  u have a snowmobile somewhere..Has snowblindness set in?  Might just want to cuddle up with your snow bunny and wait till spring in May.....What u really need is the proper Muskrat to give u lowdown on 6 more weeks of winter..Stay Warm..