Suzuki GN250 corrosion problems

[flyingbrick]

I like the thick high temp engine/caliper paints you can buy at places like repco in tins or spray cans. Just degrease the parts (degreaser in a spray can is good) and brush it on. They self level pretty good (no brush marks).

[disenfranchised]

Can someone suggets the best way to stop the aluminium parts from corroding further?

Aluminium takes a fair bit to corrode doesn't it?
Sure it gets a whiteish coating, but I've never seen this impact the structural integrity of it....unlike poor quality steel.

I could be wrong of course...

[skidMark]

AHAHAHAHAHA

I have seen GN's get unpacked in bike shops to be assembled....and since the gn's here go from japan to USA then here, by the time they get here, they take them out of the box and the chrome guards etc are already starting to rust.

Old as in...1990 gn 250's still have good chrome if looked after...new gn's have poorly done chinese chrome.

[Cat101]

Corroded bike? How do you clean it? Chrome is pourus dude, expose it to the elements and youve got to keep it clean, puttin it in the garage dirty with the weather weve had is a sure way to get your bike or any bike to go off. Best thing to look at is where is the corrosion, is it on the leading edges (front facing)? If so that is dirt, salt spray, road works and heaps of other crap that hasnt been cleaned off and left to contaminate the bike. Those GN's are a dirt (skuse the pun) cheap bike, if you want quality chrome, alloy, paint, steel then get your cheque book out and pay for it. Put it this way, if you buy chinese made toys from the warehouse that are soooo much cheaper than others similar, do you think that it is going to as good?

[sunhuntin]

i had an 06. it was ridden in all weather, kept in a lean too at home. it was cleaned on basically a weekly basis. rust around the screws in the headlight and things like that. the rust was the least of my worries though. im glad i sold it. got a virago now, that gets left in all weather, hardly gets cleaned, and has no more rust on it than when i bought it 20,000k ago.

[klingon]

I have a Suzuki GN250 that I purchased new August 2007. It is now less than a year old and has extensive corrosion on many part.
It has been kept garaged and hadly ever ridden in the rain.
Mr Motorcycles in Pukekohe is refusing to recify it so is Suzuki.
I have talked to a lawyer and the warrantly excludes "Change of appearance" as corrosion is a change in the metal physical properties, it is more than corrosion so its off to the disputes tribunal!

If there is anyone else with simillar problems with SUzuki made junk, please reply so that I can get your E-mail. If I can get together several people wit the same issues and I win the case, we might all be able to benefit.

Take a look around this site. Look for posts about Chinese GN250 rust & corrosion problems. It is commonly agreed that the Chinese-assembled GNs (the modern ones) use poor quality coatings compared to the old Japanese assembled bikes.

Also send a PM to Ixion (a member on here). He is wise* and experienced and could probably give you some good advice about what to do next. He is also the Auckland president of BRONZ (Bikers' Rights Organisation of NZ).

*Don't tell him I said that

[Cat101]

Do you live near the sea? That will kill any bike.

[sunhuntin]

this is new zealand... everywhere is by the sea, lol.

[raftn]

Just wait till the chinese start making planes!.............that should be interesting.

[Cat101]

Just wait till the chinese start making planes!.............that should be interesting.

Planes? It gonna happen! The flying disprins!

[sleeqe2000]

Seen your bike on TM - it is a right state for a bike less than a year old....

Wellngton Motorcycles tried selling me a 2007 GN250 - the only 250 they had in stock when I was looking for my first bike. It had less than 100 kms on the clock and wondered why it was being sold on already (already had one owner). Took a closer look and could see the bolts securing the headlight completely rusted.
My advice is put it on for a $1 reserve, get what you can and offload it quick as....

[Choco]

To stop GN corrosion bathe the whole bike in CRC/WD40.
Oil rag works good too.
I had mine for 8 months or so and it was still in bloody good nick when I sold it to my mate! (06 Gn if your interested.)

[awayatc]

Buy a can of "softseal"....best out of a can preserve you can get

[Ocean1]

Can someone suggets the best way to stop the aluminium parts from corroding further?

I'm really sorry you're lovely new bike is such a disappointment.

Unfortunately there isn’t a cure for poor quality coating systems short of rebuilding the bike. You can make it look better though, and with a bit of work stop it getting worse. The shiny alloy surfaces have been polished and lacquered and once the clear protective coat is compromised the surface goes dull. You can keep it from getting worse by using CRC regularly.

Both chrome and paint can be sprayed with CRC and wiped over, a bit of attention to detail in the nooks and crannies will remove minor rust stains and help prevent them reappearing. For the rough welds and corners on the frame and other painted surfaces I’d use a product called Prolan, it’s basically raw lanolin and you can get it from some of the engineering supply places like Blackwoods.

The warrantee thing. It’ not OK for the dealer to ignore the problem, although given that if they accept the damage represents a valid claim it’s a near-certain write-off you can understand their reluctance. Even if they try to claim it’s not covered by the warrantee there’s a “fit-for-purpose” element in the trading reg’s, it’s got to be of “marketable quality”. Keep going over their head, Suzuki NZ would be next I guess, and the small claims tribunal if that don’t work.

I hate it that quality issues like this ruin peoples enjoyment of their pride and joy, all the best, and don’t let the bastards wear you down, remember that you’re helping prevent it happening to someone else.

[GusBruce]

Do you know what year they started being made in china?