Rust on disks and greasy stuff on tyres

[bert_is_evil]

I'm in the process of cleaning up the 250 as it's been languishing outside in the rain for about 6 months (under a cover, but this doesn't help much in Welly). I've spend a considerable amount of time searching the forums and have come up so far with this:

Paintwork: Ezibead/car wash & was/not detergent
Chain & rims: Simple green/CRC/Kerosene/Autosol or Silvo

The brake disks have a lot of tiny rust marks, as do the top of the forks. I've tried polishing them off the brakes with some silvo but to no avail, can anyone suggest anything? I was thinking of maybe trying some fine steel wool but thought I should check this first. Also would this be ok on the rims or should I stick to the silvo?

Another question - I know it's important to keep the Kero/CRC/greasy stuff away from the brakes and tyres but what should I do if I do get some on there? How should I clean it off, household detergent?

[terbang]

Watch the rust on the forks especially in the areas of travel. it will damage the fork seals if you don't get rid of it and it will also pit the chrome coating.
On chrome areas that have surface rust I use a piece of aluminium foil and Autosol to initially polich it followed by a soft rag.
Go out and prctise some braking and your discs will clean up nicely.
Best way to avoid rust on a bike is keep it in yer garage.

[bert_is_evil]

Thanks, emergency braking practise it is then!
No garage unfortunately, in the process of getting a small shed for the ace but the 250 has to sleep rough. She might have to be rehomed after xmas for that reason

[scumdog]

Thanks, emergency braking practise it is then!
No garage unfortunately, in the process of getting a small shed for the ace but the 250 has to sleep rough. She might have to be rehomed after xmas for that reason

Be cautious when trying out the brakes first couple of times, they may well 'grab' on the rough rust on the disc and you may stop a whole lot quicker than you planned.

With the forks, get some CRC and the finest wet'n'dry sandpaper (like about 1800 grit or finer and sand (in an up and down direction- not across!) any of the areas showing rust, when these bits feel smooth go over them with Autosol polish to really smooth them.

You don't have to go mad with the sandpaper, just enough to take the roughness away from the rusty bits.

[bert_is_evil]

Thanks, I'll take it easy at first
I should wet the sandpaper with CRC instead of water? I have some really fine wet & dry at home I discovered in my tool boxes while tidying up yesterday, handy.

[scumdog]

Thanks, I'll take it easy at first
I should wet the sandpaper with CRC instead of water? I have some really fine wet & dry at home I discovered in my tool boxes while tidying up yesterday, handy.

Uh, it has to be REALLY fine sand-pape, like the 1800 grit I mentioned, using 180 grit or coarser (like 80 grit used by panel-beaters to sand bog!!) will shag your fork surface big-time!!

And wet and dry stuff or it will fall apart when it gets wet - use CRC or kero at a pinch, you could use water but you dont need more rust later eh? (But keep the CRC etc away from your brakes and tyres for obvious reasons!

[bert_is_evil]

It's leftover from when I did some fairing repairs myself a while back and was the finest wet & dry I could get at the time but I'll check to make sure it's 1800. It's great living down the road from Mitre 10.

If I do happen to accidentally get some CRC on the brakes what is the best course of action? I'm guessing washing it with detergent would result in me saying hello to Mr Rust again?

[scumdog]

It's leftover from when I did some fairing repairs myself a while back and was the finest wet & dry I could get at the time but I'll check to make sure it's 1800. It's great living down the road from Mitre 10.

If I do happen to accidentally get some CRC on the brakes what is the best course of action? I'm guessing washing it with detergent would result in me saying hello to Mr Rust again?

Any time I think I've got CRC or any other such crap on brakes I wipe them down with paint thinners (not turps!) on a rag, it which dries off almost straight away, - don't use it on you bikes paintwork or it WILL end up 'thinner'!!

But detergent would probably do it and wouldn't make the rust THAT much worse.

[bert_is_evil]

Cool, thanks!