WD40 - ok to use around rubber seals etc?

[mattimeo]

Just want to check, WD40 won't eat away at rubber seals (esp around the dustcaps on the forks)? I'm formerally a 'take it to get serviced' guy... begining to get my hands much more dirty now. Twice as much fun, though I don't want to make a silly mistake like this!

[tri boy]

Hi mattimeo,
If your using the WD-40 just to "wipe over" rubber caps, fork boots etc to get that "clean" look, then I think you should be quite safe. However, there are better products to use for that. ie Armour All, Kitten upholstery cleaner.
I wouldn't immerse seals etc in it though.
Keep it away from brake components. :yes:

[Kflasher]

Yes wipe on is ok, it is lubricant and anti rust properties, remember any excess will attract dust, containments etc which is defeating the purpose as these will damage the seals you are trying to protect.

[Drum]

Gidday mattimeo and welcome to the site.

I've got the Haynes manual for the 750 Zephyr, which also covers the 550. If you want any info let me know and I can scan and email specific details.

[mattimeo]

Thanks Tri Boy and KFlasher for answering my WD40 question.
Drum - wicked, cheers! Whats the difference between the original manual (I have a PDF copy for the Zephyr 550) and the Haynes manual?

(I might make a new thread for this part but I'll post it here too)
Basically I have a problem with my front forks, the metal just below the dust caps is corroding/rusting. The actual seals seem fine, there is no oil leakage. WD40 definitely isn't a perminant solution but I'm looking for a way to slow the rusting and prevent too much immediate damage to the actual seals.

Is it easy enough to find replacement dust caps? Currently they're letting in water/dust. What should I use to treat the corrosion/rust? The photo below is from my cellphone... Please excuse the quality :)

Link to photo: http://flickr.com/photos/9028363@N02/562549548/

[Big Dave]

Use it liberally everywhere. Particularly on your chain.
I would bathe in it.

[Drum]

Whats the difference between the original manual (I have a PDF copy for the Zephyr 550) and the Haynes manual?

The original manual is a basic 'user manual' type thing. The Haynes Manual shows you how to maintain and fix the bike, and has detailed photographs, as well as important data (like how much fork oil you need and the such).

A good source of Zephyr parts is Ebay motors.

http://motors.listings.ebay.com/Motorcycle-Parts_Asian_W0QQfclZ3QQfromZR11QQsacatZ35579QQsocm dZListingItemList


You can get dust seals for something like $12US. I recently got a cush drive from Canada for $60NZ including postage. The shop here quoted me $150. So it's worth checking there first.

Also check out the Zephyr Zone for Zephyr specific info..........

http://www.zephyr-zone.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl

[mattimeo]

Yeah it occured to me the chain could benefit from it... Should I avoid applying WD40 'on top' of existing chain lube - or is WD40 best by itself?

BTW added link to photo of my forks (in previous post)

[Big Dave]

Yeah it occured to me the chain could benefit from it... Should I avoid applying WD40 'on top' of existing chain lube - or is WD40 best by itself?


I've used WD40 exclusively on chains for 10 years. I doubles the life I was getting with waxes and adhesive lubricants.

Disadvantages: It washes off and needs to be applied every other tankful and at the end of a dusty road.

Advantages. It takes 5 seconds to apply - all you have to do is spray it on the sprocket and it works around the rest.
it cleans really well and works between the contatct points. In these days of sealed X - ring chains - that's the most important thing.


dc

[Kflasher]

Thanks Tri Boy and KFlasher for answering my WD40 question.
Drum - wicked, cheers! Whats the difference between the original manual (I have a PDF copy for the Zephyr 550) and the Haynes manual?

(I might make a new thread for this part but I'll post it here too)
Basically I have a problem with my front forks, the metal just below the dust caps is corroding/rusting. The actual seals seem fine, there is no oil leakage. WD40 definitely isn't a perminant solution but I'm looking for a way to slow the rusting and prevent too much immediate damage to the actual seals.

Is it easy enough to find replacement dust caps? Currently they're letting in water/dust. What should I use to treat the corrosion/rust? The photo below is from my cellphone... Please excuse the quality :)

Link to photo: http://flickr.com/photos/9028363@N02/562549548/

That rust you see looks to be the tension spring inside the seal. I would pup this out as soon as you can. This could pop under load...

[mattimeo]

I'll get busy with some WD40 today then. As for the tension springs - yeah I hadn't thought of that. On inspection it just looks like the metal directly beneth the dust-caps (rather than the springs) but I'm taking it to a friend this weekend, he's more knowledgable than I on such matters.

Drum - thanks heaps for the info you posted, i might get in touch regarding your manual. Wicked :)

[Max Preload]

It's fine to get WD-40 on nitrile seals and you'd be very unlucky to come across anything other than nitrile rubber on a petrol engine. It will degrade natural rubber and silicone though and, to a lesser degree, neoprene.

[imdying]

Just keep it the hell away from your brakes... or swollen brake rubbers for all :(

[Bonez]

Just keep it the hell away from your brakes... or swollen brake rubbers for all :(Hasn't happened on ANY of my bikes yet and I've had two 20 years, one bike is 30 years old, without brake seal changes.

[imdying]

Hasn't happened on ANY of my bikes yet and I've had two 20 years, one bike is 30 years old, without brake seal changes.
I guess I've rebuilt more than a hundred calipers that it has happened to... at a guess 99% were from DIY guys. YMMV and you can treat your bike how you like :yes:

[Bonez]

I guess I've rebuilt more than a hundred calipers that it has happened to... at a guess 99% were from DIY guys. YMMV and you can treat your bike how you like :yes:And I certianly will. I do know when to get things done "professionally" though, believe it or not. Maybe I've been lucky. I don't bath the calipers in the stuff, just a light squirt and clean out with a cotton bud stick or small screw driver rapped in rag. As well as regular brake fluid changes I might add.


While we are on the subject of wd40 :) -http://www.twbc.org/resources/wd40.php