Winter Riding

General Discussion General Banter
1

Had a begging letter from the DVLA for road fund license for the V50 drop on the mat the other day. Which reminded me …

When I was riding every day winter and summer I found that old Hondas were great for the commute as you didn’t have to care about them or keep them clean, and it would take quite a few years before they would rot out.

These days my winter commute is a short cycle ride to the rail station and then a lengthy train journey, so I have no need for a rotting Honda … or do I?

In recent years therefore, I have used the Black Pearl predominantly for Autumn to Spring riding whilst much of the rest of the fleet is bundled up and SORNed against any wintry conditions. I don’t have to ride every day, I don’t have to ride at all. But the occasional excursion (went to the Dragon last year for instance) can make a nice change. And I still like to use a bike for general transport here and there - I don’t really do ‘just going for a ride’ even in summer.

Salted roads has been the main killer - for motorcycles generally, and very much so for Moto Guzzis. I’m no polisher but in normal conditions muck will mostly hose off. However, the salt they user around here has the propensity to stick like 54!t to a blanket. And last winter the local council took to pretty much laying down salt every time the overnight temp dropped anywhere towards 3 or 4 degrees above freezing.

So how is everybody else coping with this modern curse? I’ve tried mixes of WD40 and ACF50 to no great effect. ACF50 does not seem to apply particularly well.

Is it time for another Honda?

2

I use ACF50, AC90 and WD40 on my bikes, T3 and two Harley’s. Ride all year commuting to work except when it freezes and the salt comes out, the Mrs say’s I shouldn’t be so precious about them!!!

3

A tatty Breva 750 is the way to go.

4

What’s AC90 used for?

Roy Green from the Forest of Dean

5

AC 90 as it say’s on the tin…multi purpose lubricant. To be honest I have a ready supply of this stuff a work so I give em a spray every so often

6

I coated my NTX750 with AC90 when I was winter commuting a couple of years ago.
It sticks to the bike and washes off with a bit of soap and water or Elbow Grease.
The chrome rims, black painted hubs and engine cases looked better in the spring than when I coated them in the autumn. Highly recommended.
Steve

7

used on very expensive helicopters and some very special military kit

8

I must admit I have had some fantastic winter rides, the race rep loonies are not about
I often have the road to myself
I just have to make sure I get back before it gets dark as the temperature can plummet
however heated grips, a decent screen and warm riding gear help