A motorcycle has no bodywork, so rain, mud, dew and road salt land straight on bare metal: the frame, footrests, brackets, bolts, chain and cables. Seams and threaded joints hold on to moisture and dirt best, and that is exactly where orange bloom appears first.
With wet autumns, spring slush and de-icing salt on the roads, corrosion protection should be a regular part of maintenance rather than a one-off before the season. Here is a routine that takes less than an hour.
What you will need
Important: Keep lubricants away from brake discs, pads and tyres. Cover the discs with a cloth before spraying and wipe off any overspray at once. Work only when the engine and exhaust are cold.
Step 1
Wash and fully dry the motorcycle
Corrosion grows under dirt, so first rinse off sand, clay and salt with warm water and shampoo. Do not aim a pressure washer at wheel bearings, steering head bearings or connectors.
Dry the bike thoroughly and leave it in a warm place so water can escape from cavities and seams.
Step 2
Displace moisture from metal surfaces
Apply a thin coat of WD-40 Smart Straw to unpainted steel parts: bolts, brackets, footrests, number plate mounts, spokes and nipples. Fold the straw down for wide areas and flip it up for seams and holes.
After a few minutes wipe off the excess with a cloth. A thin film remains that repels water and slows rust.
Step 3
Treat moving parts and cables
Moving parts are often forgotten, yet they are the first to seize: throttle and clutch cables, levers, pedals, footrest pivots. Feed WD-40 Multi-Use into the cable ends and lever pivots and work them several times.
Then grease the footrest and side stand pivots, which live in the dirt, with WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease: it stays put longer in the rain.
Step 4
Do not forget locks and caps
The ignition lock, fuel cap, pannier and seat locks collect water after rain and can freeze in winter. Give the lock barrel a short shot of WD-40 Multi-Use through the straw and turn the key a few times.
Clean oxidised connectors on lights, indicators and sensors with WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner with the ignition off.
Step 5
Prepare the bike for winter storage
Before winter repeat the full treatment, remove the battery and store the motorcycle somewhere dry rather than under a tight cover outdoors, where condensation collects.
Check it once a month and renew the film wherever it has worn off.
Tip: After riding on salted roads, do not leave washing until the weekend: salt works every day. Rinse the bike with clean water that same evening and, once dry, go over bolts and brackets with lubricant.
What next
During the season treat the bike after every rain or every two weeks, more often in autumn and spring. Service the chain separately with a dedicated chain lube. For a garage or motorcycle workshop, WD-40 5 L with sprayer is more economical.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».