Aluminum Wheel Corrosion

[Gibson]

Hey all, just got back from 1200 mile trip a few weeks ago. Before I left I needed to fix a slow leak in the front tire of my R100R Mystic. I couldn't find anything in the tire. Soapy water around the bead revealed it was leaking in a few places at the bead/rim joint. I decided to take the tire off to see what was going on. The rim was corroded. I used dish soap and water to mount a new Pirelli about a year ago. I've been using dish soap and water solution for decades as a bead lube. Turns out this is not good for Alloy rims! I cleaned off the corrosion, and mounted a new Avon tire using Armor All. Worked great and is not corrosive to Aluminum.

[SteveD]

I'm not sure of the R100R wheels, but was wondering if rub 'n buff massaged into the rims once well cleared of corrosion would help protect the surface?

[SteveD]

Corrosion on the aluminium can be a problem in a variety of places.
Here's a shot of my float bowls last week. The bike hadn't been used for 9 weeks and it was hard to start. This was mostly water but the aluminium was also starting to shows signs.



The starter jet was partially blocked and contaminated. The jet came out easy though and once the junk was cleared the bike started much easier.

[Roy Gavin]

That isnt some of the same gas that did bad things to Grant's valves.
If it is next time you are in SA stick to high volume Mobilgas stations on the main highways!

[Gibson]

Hey Steve, a great product I've been using to protect against carb corrosion is Stabil Marine 360. It has completely eliminated that problem. I use about half an Oz in 5 gallons it will keep the tank from rusting too. Over the winter I use a bit more. Alcohol in the gas sucks the water from the atmosphere and will corrode our precious Beemers fuel systems if we don't use a corrosion inhibitor.
I just used scotch brite, and then white polish to clean the inside of the rims. The outside was clean and corrosion free.

[SteveD]

@ Roy Gavin. Yep, probably, but I did another 1200kms after that from Burra to Melbourne via Adelaide with 3-4 fill ups.

@ Gibson, thanks, I might look it up.

[Roy Gavin]

Whatever it is that causes the problem sits in the bottom of the tank, and the float bowl, which is why it corrodes mainly in the bottom corners.
I drain the bowls every two or three weeks, and the tank as part if my 10,000 km service and am constantly surprised at what comes out of both.