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Discussion starter · #41 ·
Maxply said:
Think you will find (as stated in an earlier post) hand dish washing liquids e.g Fairy liquid, do contain salt, so not recommended for washing bikes. My OE chain also showed more surface rust than I expected, and I also use a chain oiler. I have concluded that it is a poor quality chain.
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You'd think wouldn;t you (especially as 3 of my OEM chains on my NC750X lasted just 12k miles). However, the OEM chain fitted to my 2017 AT still had plenty of life left in it at 20k when I changed it just as a precautionary measure. The expensive replacement (non-OEM) had at least one sticking link after just another 4k miles.
Mike
 
#44 ·
Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions.


I really did not know that products like Fairy have salt. I used such for cleaning my bikes for years now. This is the first bike I see such signs of corrosion and especially at such a sort time. Nevertheless, the advice is well noted.


I have sent photos to my mechanic and he will speak with the Honda importer in Athens. In the mean time I have purchased set of mild steel brushes and I will try to clean as much of the surface corrosion I can; at least I will try to delay the decay.

I will keep the team posted.
 
#47 ·
mike5100 said:
Agreed, but so is all the corrosion you describe. I live near the sea in the UK and ride through winter when there's lots of salt on the roads, and your corrosion sounds worse than mine (24k miles).
Mike
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I have been in Durham, many years back (it was early 2000) on business trip; what a lovely town!!!

On our subject, yes you are right it does seem exagerated and this is what has alerted me. Anyway, I will spend most of the Sunday cleaning out with the brush as much as I can and most probably I must develop a new habbit during washing the ATAS: this is removing the white (and/or red) rust...

BTW team, I was considering using some WD40 to soak the brush during the process; would you agree or advice else?
 
#48 ·
Petros Galiatsis said:
Hi Kev

I am not using washing machine liquid. I am using liquid we use for hand washing the dishes. Those definitely do not have any salt.

See some photos
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I use the same thing for washing my bike. Nothing stronger than Palmolive Dish Detergent has been on my bike. I fill a bucket with a bit of the detergent and use just that on a soft cotton cloth to clean most surfaces (naturally, not the chain, etc.). I do believe Palmolive does have some salts in it, like most detergents - but I use it on the wheels as well, and so far, so good. It's pretty well diluted. And I always make sure to rinse the bike well, after. But I've used Palmolive for my dishes and for *so many* other things that require a delicate cleanser for *years.* (Remember the old commercial? "You're soaking in it!" "It softens your hands while you do the dishes!)"

I use my power washer (on low setting) to spray away all the grime and dirt and dust prior to full washing--so that the dirt doesn't act as an abrasive and scratch the surfaces.

But I wonder about some of these specialty cleaning products--many of them don't list all the ingredients or they're trade secrets. I'm betting many of them have a little bit of salts in them too.

I do quick cleaning often after each ride with simply a cotton cloth soaked in cool water and wrung out. You can get a lot of the grime off with just plain old water. Bug stains too, if you don't let them sit too long. And I'm so persnickety, I place a big water-soaked cotton cloth over the windshield and let it sit for several minutes before cleaning off the bug grime. So far, no scratches on the screen. And no Windex either. (And never paper towels)!

But Petros! The inside of your chain looks awful, man. Do you clean it often? I'm a bit anal about mine. And here, I do use specialty products--I use Maxima Chain Cleaner with a chain brush and follow-up with the "Chain Wax." This stuff works great and has kept my chain looking like new.

I'm curious... how long had it been since you last cleaned the chain before taking that picture? And what do you use to clean your chain?

Thanks and keep riding safe, my friend, Gary

...
 
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#49 · (Edited)
garyh said:
I'm curious... how long had it been since you last cleaned the chain before taking that picture? And what do you use to clean your chain?

Thanks and keep riding safe, my friend, Gary

...
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Hi Gary

the chain was thoroughly cleaned 3 approximately 4wks back, before my last 3-days trip. When I returned, it was in perfect condition, no corrosion at all and well oiled (I do tend to keep the oiler at rather high setting).

For the cleaning I follow strictly the Honda User Manual instructions. I do not use hard checmicals.

Then the bike remained covered for about two weeks, due to rain. And, voila, next time I checked, the chain was in that condition.

Hopefully it seems that the rust is superficial; I checked with a brush and it gets away easily. Also the bolts etc seem to clean up to an acceptable extend.

My mechanic has spoken with Athens Honda HQ and they said that it is impossible that all those areas corroded at the same time due to components failure. they do suspect (like Mike said) that maybe I run over some corrosive material somewere, or even someone deliberately messed with my bike. The last one does not stand where I live and keep the bike. Nevertheless, aside the frame they are willing to support and told my mechanic to assess the situation and ask for whatever he deems needs replacement. Of course to this contibuted the fact that my mechanic has a very good reputation to Honda HQ in Athens and so do I to my mechanic. He does know that I am always looking to prevent damages rather than let them happen and then raise claims. And this he succesfully conveyed to Honda Greece. I guess the fact that before the ATAS I owened 4 Hondas and never, ever, raised a warranty claim, played some role as well.

So, this weekend I will give it a very throrough clean and check what rust or corrosion remains and we shall start from there.

Needless to say that, aside any frustration, my real concern is the frame. All other things may be corrected one way or another. Bolts can be replaced, spoke nipples the same, chain can be cleaned or substituted....But the frame is a real problem..... we shall see.....
 
#50 ·
Petros, you sound like the perfect customer in Honda Greeces' mind.

I suspect most of us are, in as much as most of us wouldn't deliberately let our very expensive bikes go rusty on purpose, just so we can get a replacement part, identical to the original.
I'm still waiting for the replacement wheels for mine, 10 months after reporting the issue and being assured by the dealer that the claim went in and was accepted. It seems a bad business model (certainly in the UK) to have an existing customer wait 10 mths for wheels that must be available because they are being put on new bikes. How the dealer deals with my issue in the coming weeks will dictate whether I stay with Honda or go back to BMW who are superb with warranty issues. Sad really, I love the AT
 
#51 ·
Dave B said:
Petros, you sound like the perfect customer in Honda Greeces' mind.

I suspect most of us are, in as much as most of us wouldn't deliberately let our very expensive bikes go rusty on purpose, just so we can get a replacement part, identical to the original.
I'm still waiting for the replacement wheels for mine, 10 months after reporting the issue and being assured by the dealer that the claim went in and was accepted. It seems a bad business model (certainly in the UK) to have an existing customer wait 10 mths for wheels that must be available because they are being put on new bikes. How the dealer deals with my issue in the coming weeks will dictate whether I stay with Honda or go back to BMW who are superb with warranty issues. Sad really, I love the AT
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Hi Dave

I would definitely would not say that I am the only one in Greece to act in this manner, but I can assure you that I have heard (from my mechanic) claims that no logical person would ever raise; and the number is not small.

It is a shame to have to get rid of a bike you like because of poor customer service. But, I tottaly agree with you and if eventually I will keep having issues with the ATAS, I will let it go, even if the customer service will be willing to support.
 
#52 ·
You have talked about anodized gold wheels for the AT, but I am not sure about that process. I think the technical solution adopted by Honda was much simpler and cheaper. My impression, after having damaged my 2017 AT’s both wheels in a “Elephant Bleu” car washing center, is that they are simply painted with a kind of varnish containing yellow pigments. Actually I have used the “special” wheel cleaning spray and 3 minutes after the gold color of the wheels was simply rinsed by the product, like a watercolor yellow paint. I immediately rinsed the wheels with clear water, but it was too late. They are stained everywhere, in an irregular way, they do not shine anymore, some places they have the white aluminum color. As the 2-year warranty ends next September 2019 I have asked my dealer to have the wheels changed by Honda. I am waiting for their answer. I am rather surprised to know that such an expensive Honda motorcycle is not compatible with cleaning products available at the biggest car cleaning network in France. If I had felt the faintest doubt I would never have washed my bike in that kind of center.
 
#56 ·
May I tell you that my Honda dealer in Montlhery (France) has consulted Honda France about getting my wheels repaired (our changed) by the warranty (that ends next September). Honda France’s answer was negative : they said products used in those car-washing centers are too agressive to the wheels, without giving any other detail.
What I find unacceptable is that there is no such a restriction, neither on the owner’s manual nor in the service instructions book.
Do you know someone who had a similar experience and what that person did ?
I was very surprised to know, from that very sad experience, that Honda products are not compatible with French bike drivers’ habits. My opinion is that the AT was not very well adapted to French, and European, markets ...
 
#57 ·
I had my previous bikes, including a Honda CB650F, which had gold rims, professionally treated with ACF50 by All Year Biker. Costs £70 in the UK. I had it done at least once a year, typically at the end of summer to protect it through the UK winter. I use my bike all year for commuting and play.
I was advised by the AYB dude, who treats A LOT of bikes, to only use cheap car shampoo to clean the bike. Products like Muc Off are very aggressive and will strip the ACF50 quite quickly.
I clean my bikes regularly using cheap car shampoo, and occasionally add a little ACF50 to exposed bits (bolts, clamps etc) with a soaked rag or small paintbrush. I only clean the rims with the same soap, but with hotter water.
The above regime has kept my bikes sparkling and virtually rust free, despite riding through the winter.
I shall maintain this with my 2017 AT.
 
#58 ·
I don't recall the last time I put soap to any of my bikes (over the past 20 years anyway), but I will carefully note your tip Planet.
 
#59 ·
I just can't believe what a POS bike I bought - 2018 Honda ATAS. Fuel tank problem, front suspension frequent repeat leaks, rusting spokes and rims, ridiculous frame welding job, pealing paint, etc. I have spent countless of hours driving to and from the dealer, waiting not days but weeks and months for parts being backordered. The bike would be long time gone, only if I have not invested hundreds of dollars on add-ons which most of them can't be used for any other bike. Honda keeps replacing parts with new ones with no quality and/or performance upgrades/affect, just to make it thru the first year and then make me pay for everything. The more I fiddle with the bike, the more I realize how cheaply slapped together this bike is. Plastic week tabs, plastic rivets which are almost impossible safely remove after riding off road, etc. Sorry mates, I know, this post is totally unproductive and depressing, but hopefully an eye opening for new buyers. ..... but I still love the look of the bike. She is like my ex, look but do not touch/use. haha
 
#60 ·
Sorry to read you are having a poor experience Honda777. Respectfully, hopefully that experience is not contagious. :confused:
 
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