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Posted by Nigel B on April 20, 2024, 5:31 pm
As with previous years, I find that I start the (motorcycling) year with worsening hand issues, though this year my initial problem is one that I have not faced before - substantial lingering discomfort following a cleaning & polishing session.
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
Re: Options
Posted by MadMike on April 20, 2024, 6:31 pm, in reply to "Options"
The new Triumph Speed 400 has few if any aluminium or chrome to polish. Rather than chrome they have used stainless steel. The engine casings are all black. In essence washing is pretty much all you need to do. The clutch is featherlight and it is, in my case, doing around 80mpg. Price is £4995 on the road. I am very impressed with mine.Other opinions may be available but this one is always correct.
Re: Options
Posted by Nigel B on April 24, 2024, 11:15 am, in reply to "Re: Options"
The Triumph is on my list of "bikes to try" this year, Mike.
Having seem a few YT "reviews" the one thing I have noticed is that it seems very low geared - around 6000 rpm @ 60mph. My Interceptor is running around 4000 at the same speed & that feels a bit busy to me. The 500 Classic calculates out (no tacho) at a round 3850 - usefully close to peak torque at 4000.
Lack of the ability to fit a centre stand is also ablack mark against it.
Will - I hadn't considered a ceramic coating for polished aluminium, having assumed these products were intended for painted surfaces. I will investigate that route further, thanks.
The particular Cerakote product I mentioned is only availabe as a one pack, air drying, compound - a "professional" would apply it just the same as I would at home. Other Cerakote products are two pack & require baking to cure - something best left to someone else IMO. I don't want to work with two pack compounds, as I lack the necessary safety kit & it is not worth the considerable investment in suitable equipment to stay alive for the limited amount of usage it would get.
I'll let you know how I get on.
Nigel B.
Re: Options
Posted by Will on April 20, 2024, 7:01 pm, in reply to "Options"
If you do buy a new bike I suggest getting it professionally ceramic coated, preferably straight out of the showroom. This should make cleaning a doddle with most road filth just rinsing off. Failing that ceramic coat it yourself which is a time consuming job likely to give your hands grief. Success of result will be how diligent you are. . I have had good results but not as good as a pro application. I believe cerakote is similar = a pro sprayed & baked application is far better than the air cured home kits, but if you do do cerakote I'd be interested to hear how easy & successful it is.
Re: Options
Posted by geoff the bonnie on April 24, 2024, 4:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Options"
If fingers are getting sore with polishing, maybe use a small battery drill with a polish wheel fitted. Put a little autosol on the alloy and spin it all over before a light wipe to get the polish off. I have been doing this for years on my bikes as my fingers are sore most days
Re: Options
Posted by Nigel B on April 25, 2024, 11:30 am, in reply to "Re: Options"
If fingers are getting sore with polishing, maybe use a small battery drill with a polish wheel fitted
Tried that Geoff. Not had great results TBH - the felt wheels seem to glaze up quickly & the polish doesn't last long before it dries out. I don't use Autosol these days, as either Mequires NXT or Mothers Mag & Aluminium polishes both come up to a much better shine - at a price, mind. Currently using the Mothers product & used that with a small low-ish speed multi-tool to polish up an MZ front rim + S/H Honda CB250K4 front hub. Respoked it looks quite good, but doesn't pass close inspection as some corrosion marks too deep to easily polish out. Access on castings on the bike would be an issue with the multi-tool + if the arbour or chuck catches the casting (which seemed to happen quite easily even on a "loose" rim & hub) it leaves deep scratches.
I have ordered a bottle of a ceramic surface treatment - will see how that goes after getting the castings to a state I am happy with over a longer period of time than one sitting.