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This is a pain (literally) as I have two bikes (Interceptor 650 & Classic 500) that have large areas of polished castings that need keeping up with to maintain the finish.
I have been pondering solutions, varying from not bothering with the polishing (which would cause considerable ongoing unhappiness, as I hate not having "presentable" bikes) to changing both for one, less cleaning intensive, bike.
The change solution is also problematic, though, as I don't see much about that I fancy - really the only contenders so far in the middle range (capacity & performance - A2-ish levels are fine) would be a Benelli TRK502, a couple of CF Moto 650s (GT or MT) or a Honda CB500X (just gone obsolete - replaced with the NX500). All have "isues" - the Benelli seems to being dumped (price cut + Givi luggage included), possibly as a new TRK552 has been announced. It is a also rather bulky & suffers from being imported by Moto GB, who I was less than impressed with as the supplier of my Interceptor. They don't seem to carry much parts stock & parts seem pricy. The CF Motos seem well made, with parts prices & availability seeming to be good & pricing of the two models that appeal is currently very keen - though I do wonder if these are "run out" models. 4 Years warranty as well.. The Honda possibly appeals the most, being the lightest of the lot and, well, it's a Honda. The now obsolete CB500X doesn't seem to be being discounted with the arrival of the NX & as the NX is on'y £100 more than the CB there isn't much incentive to go for the old model. But they are quite low spec & would need further "investment" to make them more practical / useable (centre stand, luggage etc.).
The dealers I have visited so far this year seem to have a lot of stock & not many buyers, so there may be deals to be done - though I suspect that I will find p/x value offered on the 5 year old Interceptor will be low. Plus it is not that I don't like the bike(s) or am dis-satisfied with their performance - it is just that keeping up to them has become a pain.
Latterly another option may have popped up - coating the polished surfaces with Cerakote MC-5100 - a durable clear coating apparently specifically designed to protect polished aluminium surfaces. Cerakote products are pricey (around £100 delivered for a 16 oz. bottle) but this is an air curing, one pack product that should be "doable" at home. Additional costs (above time) would be a some gaskets & I could probably do this over the winter & just institute a minimal polishing "holding" position with regular ACF 50 application through this season.
Any thoughts, suggestions or experience with this particular Cerakote product as a possible solution? I had hoped to be seeing the hand consultant who worked on me in October 2022 next Friday - follow-up from the trapeziectomy procedure has not been great (nothing since last February, as she was off long-term sick most of last year & no other consultant took up the slack) but the Friday appointment has just been kicked on until mid-May. Not that I expect anthing other than the usuall "stop doing what makes it hurt" type response.
Nigel B
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