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Dirty Spyder?

Thanks for the comments.

I have my Spyder on a lift now in the garage and I'm in the process of finishing up spraying the undercarriage and all of the exposed areas with Red Rust Check. I'm obviously avoiding things like the belt, hoses, brakes, pads, discs etc... I've laid some cardboard down to catch the drips while letting it seep and settle.

I've talked with several mechanics about it and they said it is a great way to go and it will really help protect my Spyder. They say there is an undercoating for cars and trucks which are still sold every winter to help protect from salt and rust, etc... They coats are not on the cars by default and usually cost much much more then a few cans of rust check.

Two of them have said that I'm taking better care of my Spyder then most people would care for their car (ie: who don't get the undercoating).

I'm hoping the rust check in between washes will protect my Spyder. Everything I've read and heard about doing this process, shows it is a good way to go, for my purposes of riding through the winter months. So my fingers are crossed.


As for washing - thanks for the tip - But I don't normally use pressure / power washers, as they tend to push grease/lubricate out, and water in the of nooks and crannies. So, I usually a normal garden hose (shower mod) to wet my Spyder down, then I apply mild cleaning solution/soap, scrub/wipe the panels, rims, pipe, etc... I will let it drip dry a little while if I can (if the temps are not freezing haha) and get her inside my heated garage and finish the wipe down and drying process.

For the areas where dirt really accumulates, I'll use the Jet mode on my garden hose, but I'm careful where I aim it.


thanks.
 
I normally stop in at one of those self service wash bays and grab the pressure washer. I leave the engine running and spray it from every angle. The place I go to has a slight incline at the rear of the bay, so I throw the spyder in reverse, let the clutch out slowly and spray down the belt. I'll do this a few times over about 15 feet.

The other spot you want to look at is the small belt sprocket in the front. The dirt and salt have a way of traveling with the belt and will build up on the engine and all around your oil filter cover. I take some extra time to get the water in there as well.

Then I get back on the highway before the water freezes something in place.
 
I normally stop in at one of those self service wash bays and grab the pressure washer. I leave the engine running and spray it from every angle. The place I go to has a slight incline at the rear of the bay, so I throw the spyder in reverse, let the clutch out slowly and spray down the belt. I'll do this a few times over about 15 feet.

The other spot you want to look at is the small belt sprocket in the front. The dirt and salt have a way of traveling with the belt and will build up on the engine and all around your oil filter cover. I take some extra time to get the water in there as well.

Then I get back on the highway before the water freezes something in place.

Thanks Nick, I'm hitting the wash bay tomorrow.
 
Nick, thanks so much for your reply on this thread. As most know you seem to ride through the winter, and snow and salt. I am doing the same and have noticed this:

The other spot you want to look at is the small belt sprocket in the front. The dirt and salt have a way of traveling with the belt and will build up on the engine and all around your oil filter cover. I take some extra time to get the water in there as well.

That's a great point and I'll continue to keep an eye on this location also.

thanks again.
Cheers from Newfoundland.
 
Pretty dirty.


Yep, that's a dirty Spyder, a good cleaning and you'll be ready for the roads again.

I've finished my rust check spray coating on the undercarriage. I hope tomorrow will be clear enough to go and do some riding.

Cheers and Ryde Safe.
 
This is what mine looked like when we went to Maggie Valley in September of 2009. We were supposed to stay in a log cabin that the owners said was motorcycle friendly. It ended up being a really steep hill climb in the mud, and a low rider Harley and new Suzuki Boulevard owner refused to attempt it. We ended up riding into town and finding a different place to stay.

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http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=654&pictureid=7803


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zOMG!!!!!:yikes:

There is a pretty good chance that some of that is Buffalo feces as well. As I said, it was nowhere near as motorcycle friendly as they claimed. Also, the paved road they showed in the pictures was only about the length of a driveway, the rest of it was nothing but dirt and it had been raining before we got there. The same junk actually clogged the radiator fins on the new Boulevard.
 
There is a pretty good chance that some of that is Buffalo feces as well. As I said, it was nowhere near as motorcycle friendly as they claimed. Also, the paved road they showed in the pictures was only about the length of a driveway, the rest of it was nothing but dirt and it had been raining before we got there. The same junk actually clogged the radiator fins on the new Boulevard.
"Motorcycle Friendly" usually means that they don't close the front gate in your face...or take after you with a shotgun. From there on, you're on your own. :roflblack::roflblack:
 
"Motorcycle Friendly" usually means that they don't close the front gate in your face...or take after you with a shotgun. From there on, you're on your own. :roflblack::roflblack:

You should have heard the conversation between the lowered HD owner, who made the reservation, and the owner of the property. They said there nephew rides his motorcycle up there all the time. When asked what type of motorcycle it was they said a dirt bike.

My Spyder actually made it up the hill. I was standing on the foot pegs and the engine kept jaybraking all the way up. The way back down was a little scary though as the anti-lock brakes kept fighting back very hard and I slid part of the way down. There was no way the 2 wheelers were going to be able to keep riding that hill safely with it raining for the next several days.
 
i have a little over a 1/4 mile of gravle driveway so my spyder is always dirty i dont like it but would not give up riding in the winter for any thing.
 
"Motorcycle Friendly" usually means that they don't close the front gate in your face...or take after you with a shotgun. From there on, you're on your own. :roflblack::roflblack:


:agree:

It says motorcycle friendly, not motorcycle accessible. :D
 
SpyderWolf, a good wash and she will be like new again! Although, I can't help but think a shock cover would have been nice ;).


:2thumbs: for riding through it, good stuff!
Cheers.

This is what mine looked like when we went to Maggie Valley in September of 2009. We were supposed to stay in a log cabin that the owners said was motorcycle friendly. It ended up being a really steep hill climb in the mud, and a low rider Harley and new Suzuki Boulevard owner refused to attempt it. We ended up riding into town and finding a different place to stay.

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I just got back from a two- hour beautiful ride. Nice and sunny @ 35 degrees. Yes some salt dust on the road but dry. I can even taste the salt residue on my lips.
I have decided I am not going to deprive myself from possibly 4 months of this kind of riding in Michigan. Heck that is one third of a year. I will be going out again as soon as I am done typing this post for a couple more hours, no idea where I am going!!!. Love it and that is why I bought my fun toy, not to admire it at a static mode for four months of winter I will spray it with warm water and dry it when I am done tomorrow. Who cares if it lasts 10 years with use, instead of 15 with little use. RIDE AND ENJOY WHENEVER YOU CAN. LIFE IS TOO SHORT. GOOD DAY TO YOU.
 
If I'm lucky I have 10 years to enjoy it and I'll be pushing daisys. I can ride it 12 months a year and that's what I plan on doing.
Ride it, enjoy it, use it up, wear it out, get another one.
 
Dean, that was the one and only time so far that my Spyder has ever been to the power sprayer car wash. ;) I was as careful as I could be with where I sprayed it with the high pressure, but really had no other choice at that point. It came off fairly easy using that method, along with the built in soap dispenser. :D
 
I have decided I am not going to deprive myself from possibly 4 months of this kind of riding in Michigan. Heck that is one third of a year. I will be going out again as soon as I am done typing this post for a couple more hours, no idea where I am going!!!.
:2thumbs::2thumbs:



I can ride it 12 months a year and that's what I plan on doing.
Ride it, enjoy it, use it up, wear it out, get another one.
:2thumbs::2thumbs:


Dean, that was the one and only time so far that my Spyder has ever been to the power sprayer car wash. I was as careful as I could be with where I sprayed it with the high pressure, but really had no other choice at that point. It came off fairly easy using that method, along with the built in soap dispenser.

Awesome, Michael! :thumbup:
 
I am thinking about riding my snowmobile 12 months out of the year:D

JK - have fun getting it dirty......I think cleaning is half the fun anways
 
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