How bad is dust

[disenfranchised]

I was wondering how bad general dust build up is for bikes.

They're started construction next to my office building, and now when I come to my bike at the end of the day it's covered in quite a lot of dusty powder.

I figured if it's there's enough to cover my bike, then it might be getting into the carbs, air filter, exhaust etc...

Is there any reason to be concerned?

[Zukin]

I wouldn't think so
I use my bike on dusty gravel roads all the time, with out any ill effects

I just have to clean my air filter a lot more frequently :niceone:

Cheers Scott

[imdying]

It'll bugger the finish in general. Get a cover, they're cheap.

[007XX]

What kind of dust (as in what kind oof material does it come from - abrasive?)too might be an interesting question...I agree with imdying, go to the warehouse or repco and get yourself a cover.

[Pancakes]

Yeah if it's concrete dust from cutting it'll be way finer than road dust. Cheapy cover and some shock cord in the bottom to keep it sealed up.

[Squiggles]

get a cover, my rgv started to look quite a bit sadder after a month being parked next to the site, dust then the rain made a thin abrasive paste

[xwhatsit]

That's what the air filter's for, innit? Getting in your silencer and exhaust won't matter too much, it'll just fart it all out once it cracks into life. Trying to think... where in the Otto cycle will (at lower speeds with no ignition) the engine suck back through the exhaust? Two-strokes do it, it's called scavenging. Do fours? Is it a worry while you're starting the bike and the exhaust is full of shit?

Exposed moving parts like fork stanchions and clutch cables might suffer. Dust seals should keep out dust from the forks in theory, but apparently these aren't always replaced with the hydraulic seals and can let in shit. Means your fork hydraulic seals will leak in short measure. If you're a paranoid geek like me (thanks, Scummy :)), I'd give them a quick wipe with a cloth before setting off (unless it's highly abrasive and will scratch the stanchions, even bigger pain in arse!).

[FROSTY]

its mopre the cosmetics that suffer-dust =rubbing compound not good

[sunhuntin]

buddy works in a yard that deals in dirt, boulders, gravel etc. things like that. aside from shit paint on the tank, bike seems to suffer no ill effect, and im not 100% the shit paint in a result of dust or spilling petrol or something. its stripped either way.

[F5 Dave]

A cover sounds like a great idea. But. . .Put it on [scratch scratch]. Let it sit & dust blow all through it & then add wind [scratch scratch fret fret], then come the end of the day take it off [scratch scratch].

Sorry if that's not much an answer but I'd never put a cover over my bike (ok well maybe an old sheet while it is inside the garage).