It’s sad but true – the elements will play havoc with the surface finish of your bike’s aluminium components, no matter where you may park it. Here’s how you can keep them gleaming.
PRESERVING AND SPRUCING UP ALUMINIUM COMPONENTS IN 5 EASY STEPS:
Tools
A keen eye, lots of elbow grease, a pad of Scotch Brite, an old tooth brush, kerosene, a bucket full of clean water, clean cotton rags
Process
1. Put the bike on the centre stand. Put on those gloves and then clean the gunk off the aluminium parts by repeatedly dipping the tooth brush into the kerosene and brushing the grime off. Wipe clean with a rag soaked in kerosene.
2. Soak the Scotch Brite pad into the kerosene and using a circular motion, lightly buff the surface of the aluminium components till they begin to shine. Remember, more repetitions are more effective than lots of pressure.
3. Wipe clean with the kerosene soaked rag.
4. Wash the bike thoroughly with water and a few rags.
5. Wipe clean with the cleanest cotton rag that you have to prevent water marks on the paint and aluminium.
Ask Kyle
I’m a grease monkey and I love our kind. Anyway, cutting to the chase, I have a stock Honda CBR 250R. I have used Mobil 15W15 instead of the factory recommended oil. Now the first question is, should I switch back to factory oil or keep this oil from now on? Next, I’m thinking of fitting a performance filter and exhaust. Will the ECM compensate for the extra air or do I have to tune the ECM as well? Thanks a lot.
– Inder
Good to know that you are enjoying getting your hands dirty! With regard to your query about the engine oil, Honda recommends a grade of 10W30 API SJ. I suggest you revert to the same grade, because Honda’s engineers have kept Indian operating conditions and reliability in mind while deciding the same. However, I am of the firm belief that reducing the recommended oil change interval by one-fourth keeps bikes the healthiest. Tampering with the air filter and exhaust will provide for a lean condition that the ECU might not be able to compensate for. I recommend that you get a remap done on the ECU ,and these bits are available in countries like Thailand and the like.
