Scooter metal corrosion

[Stig / Major Tom]

After 5 years, removed wheel from my LIKE200i last year for a new Michelin  - spent 2 hours cleaning things up. Metal not looking too bad.



After two years of ownership - a Burgman 400. (N0, never ran it in salt)
Very disappointing!




Why can't scooter manufacturers put a better finish on the engine case & parts?!
Motorcycle owners don't have to put up with corrosion this bad & this quick.
I present this Honda's engine:


And a real life pic of my son's Honda taken today - same age as the above Burgman:


Motorcycles cost more, you say? Burgman's are not cheap! I believe the Suzuki Burgman and the Honda CB500X sold for about the same price.

Anyway, after seeing the condition my Burgman was in, I replaced a few items with stainless fittings - and discovered ACF-50 and applied it liberally to all our two wheelers.

Do not regret selling the Burgman - for the same $ could have had a nice, bigger, motorcycle.
(replacing a chain and sprocket on an R6 is no harder than replacing a belt on a Burgman)
Stig

[David E]

Wow Stig!   Those bolts are just about gone!   I hate to say it but maybe swap those out for stainless.  Now a days, bikes come with aluminum bolts to save weight and money but it hurts us in the end. 


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[Stig / Major Tom]

Wow Stig!   Those bolts are just about gone!   I hate to say it but maybe swap those out for stainless.  Now a days, bikes come with aluminum bolts to save weight and money but it hurts us in the end. 


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See post again...I did replace with stainless.
Crazy.
Stig

[David E]

Oh crap!   Okay I went through the read fast.  Sorry.   

Stainless already, okay now I’m stumped.   


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[john grinsel]

Ever heard of gunk?  That is the way we used to clean engines on motorcycles----Last time I bought it, was at Fleet Farm in WI---cut with Diesel, brushed on, off with low pressure water, get rid of unwanted grease/crud.  Also leaves some protection on metal.

Both my Burgman 400's, cases remained clean looking in spite of once in awhile road salt.

Right now I use WalMart engine cleaner, kinda does same thing.

[AMAC1680]

I’ve used this on everything from my VWs to small plane motors and it will slow the process.
https://boeshield.com/automotive-motorcycle/

As far as stainless fasteners on cast metal, not always the best idea. Could end up with the case getting eaten away.

https://galvanizeit.org/design-and-fabrication/design-considerations/dissimilar-metals-in-contact



AMAC

[john grinsel]

looks to me Burgman oil filter cover was never off.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I’ve used this on everything from my VWs to small plane motors and it will slow the process.
https://boeshield.com/automotive-motorcycle/

As far as stainless fasteners on cast metal, not always the best idea. Could end up with the case getting eaten away.

https://galvanizeit.org/design-and-fabrication/design-considerations/dissimilar-metals-in-contact



AMAC

Thanks for the info AMAC.
Good enough for Boeing....shoul be good on a scoot.
As far as having installed a few stainless bits on the Burgman....I'm emailing your info to the fellow I sold it to. He only rides all over the Portland area and the dry Northwest, so....he might want to go back to Suzy parts!😊
Still learnin' here --- Stig

[Stig / Major Tom]

looks to me Burgman oil filter cover was never off.

Checked my records...owned for exactly 24 months, sold at @6,200 miles - 4 oil and filter changes....(using OEM oil & filter)  not counting the one I did before it was shipped to Portland, Oregon. (had the Suzy oil and parts - so, why not)
Stig

[dan v.]

Yeah, was going to mention that about stainless in aluminum.  Gotta use antiseize!

[CROSSBOLT]

Ever heard of gunk?  That is the way we used to clean engines on motorcycles----Last time I bought it, was at Fleet Farm in WI---cut with Diesel, brushed on, off with low pressure water, get rid of unwanted grease/crud.  Also leaves some protection on metal.

Both my Burgman 400's, cases remained clean looking in spite of once in awhile road salt.

Right now I use WalMart engine cleaner, kinda does same thing.

Gunk: old, original diluted with diesel. What color was gunk in the can before you diluted it? I seem to recall Dad using Gunk on his flat-head 74 cu. in. Harley being very dark brown if not black with that WONDERFUL smell! I also recall Gunk changing from dark, syrup-like to light, amber-greenish with a slightly different smell. No dilution required. But, hey! I'm old! What do I know!