Hi all, just got a bobber and reading about issues with salt/wet weather riding. Does anyone ride year round and notice any corrosion? Or have a suggestion as to protection? Been using muc off protectant on most areas bar the wheel spokes. I also plan on storing it outside in a little lean to I've built which is closed on 3 sides so protects from most exposure. Albeit, I'll also add a cover for winter.
Well the way they are built these days your about to start an avalanche of corrosion! These are indoor exotic cats not outdoor swamp donkeys. Either change the bike for a robust one or the living quarters.
I’ve had a couple of loaners with spoked wheels (T120 and street scrambler)when I had my speed triple serviced and both of them had rusty spokes, and that was in summer! Granted the dealer would only jet wash the muck off and leave it, not dry it or take as much care as an owner would. There’s nothing wrong with riding all year as long as you clean the bike properly and very regularly. Any salt residue must be rinsed off with COLD water, warm water will activate the salt and it’ll be worse, then a good wash with motorcycle specific products (evidence of purchase and use would assist in any future warranty claims for corroded parts) the dry it with either a garden vac or a bike specific dryer and store under a ventilated cover. It’s a PITA but if you want the bike to look ok after winter it’s gotta be done. I don’t have to use my bike now for commuting/getting to work in winter like I used to so can't help with the products used to protect the bike whilst it’s in use.
I'm in a similar situation. I have a Speedmaster (same wheels as Bobber), bike is stored outside in makeshift lean-to, and I ride all year. But I do only ride for pleasure, so don't usually go out if it's raining unless on tour. I do go out in winter though when roads have been salted and county lanes are damp and muddy. I haven't treated bike with anything, just hose down, use normal spray-on cleaners and/or shampoo, then rinse and use a bike dryer. Spokes show a little rust where they screw into nipples, and where nipples go into rim; also some spots on the rim I occasionally rub off with aluminium foil. The spokes get a bit grubby and I don't bother cleaning then much, only do it thoroughly every tyre change. Oh, I do give the rim a rub round with a microfibre cloth after most washes, using my finger to get between spokes. I've done nearly 30,000 miles and wheels look fine to me, you have to get very close to see any rust. Sorry the picture is just with phone and isn't great. It's raining and didn't want to unlock bike and get it out to do a proper photo with DSL camera. But you get the idea that the condition is OK.
I have a thruxton r with spoked wheels and although I tend not to use in in the depth of winter I do treat the wheels rims and spokes with acf50 once the weather starts to turn. As @Yorkshireman has said the only real way to maintain the wheels in good shape is a good cleaning regime and making sure you dry the bike before putting it away. You can also use fs365 and a host of other similar products.
Spoked wheels are a PITA to keep clean and rust free. I find mine tend to rust where the spoke enters the adjuster in the wheel rim, the same as brown mouse has mentioned. I don't use mine all year round and clean them down with ACF50 as often as I can. Spoked wheels to tend to suit my bike (900 Thruxty) IMO, but the cast wheels on my other bikes are much less hassle to maintain.