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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
Care
The exposure of its technology makes
a motorcycle charming but also vulner-
able. Although high-quality compo-
nents are used, they are not all rust-
resistant. While a rusty exhaust pipe
may remain unnoticed on a car, it does
look unattractive on a motorcycle. Fre-
quent and proper care, however, will
keep your motorcycle looking good, ex-
tend its life and maintain its perfor-
mance. Moreover, the warranty states
that the vehicle must be properly taken
care of. For all these reasons, it is rec-
ommended that you observe the fol-
lowing cleaning and storing
precautions.Before cleaning
1. Cover up the muffler outlet with a
plastic bag.
2. Make sure that all caps and cov-
ers as well as all electrical cou-
plers and connectors, including
the spark plug caps, are tightly in-
stalled.
3. Remove extremely stubborn dirt,
like oil burnt onto the crankcase,
with a degreasing agent and a
brush, but never apply such prod-
ucts onto seals, gaskets, sprock-
ets, the drive chain and wheel
axles. Always rinse the dirt and
degreaser off with water.Cleaning
After normal useRemove dirt with warm water, a neutral
detergent and a soft clean sponge,
then rinse with plenty of clean water.
Use a tooth or bottle brush for hard-to-
reach parts. Tougher dirt and insects
will come off more easily if the area is
covered with a wet cloth for a few min-
utes before cleaning.
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
ECA00010
CAUTION:
lAvoid using strong acidic
wheel cleaners, especially on
spoked wheels. If you do use
such products for hard-to-re-
move dirt, do not leave it on any
longer than instructed, then
thoroughly rinse it off with wa-
ter, immediately dry the area
and apply a corrosion protec-
tion spray.
lImproper cleaning can damage
windshields, cowlings, panels
and other plastic parts. Use
only a soft, clean cloth or
sponge with mild detergent and
water to clean plastic.
lDo not use any harsh chemical
products on plastic parts. Be
sure to avoid using cloths or
sponges which have been in
contact with strong or abrasive
cleaning products, solvent or
thinner, fuel (gasoline), rust re-
movers or inhibitors, brake flu-
id, antifreeze or electrolyte.
lDo not use high-pressure
washers or steam-jet cleaners
since they cause water seep-
age and deterioration in the fol-
lowing areas: seals (of wheel
bearings, swingarm bearings,
forks and brakes), electric com-
ponents (couplers, connectors,
instruments, switches and
lights), breather hoses and
vents.
lFor motorcycles equipped with
a windshield: Do not use strong
cleaners or hard sponges as
they will cause dulling or
scratching. Some cleaning
compounds for plastic may
leave scratches on the wind-
shield. Test the product on a
small hidden part of the wind-
shield to make sure they do not
leave any marks. If the wind-
shield is scratched, use a quali-
ty plastic polishing compound
after washing.
lDo not rub the frame, swingarm
and other similar matte metal
parts with a cloth (neither one
dampened with solvents or
gasoline nor a dry one), as this
may deteriorate their finish.
Wash off dirt with water only.
For hard-to-remove dirt, add a
mild detergent and rub only
lightly.
After riding in the rain, near the sea or
on salt-sprayed roads
Since sea salt or salt sprayed on the
roads in the winter are extremely corro-
sive in combination with water, carry
out the following steps after each ride
in the rain, near the sea or on salt-
sprayed roads. (Salt sprayed in the
winter may remain on the roads well
into spring.)
