Versys Wear And Tear

[nikster]

Had the bike washed recently and saw there was still stuff dirty - turned out those were actual scratches or small dents from stones on the road.

Bike is not even 1 year old - I don't think I did anything wrong, never even took it off road. This is just from normal roads / riding in the rain...

Anyway, the plastic bits can easily be replaced, but the forks & rear swingarm are rather expensive - can this be polished off or otherwise restored to what it looked like before:

Both forks look like this - this stuff doesn't come off:

Rear swingarm:

Front Fender - that's after the wash, these are scratches...

Above the foot peg - this is apparently a classic problem on the Versys. They all have this after a while

[ttakata]

Looks like surface grime on the forks and swingarm, what did you use to try and get it off?

Try wiping it with acetone, it's a solvent but wont eat into anodizing or powdercoating.

If the stains are physically embedded in the anodizing/paint then removing the finish or covering up the stains are options.

You'd have to paint or re-powdercoat the swingarm.

The entire shock uppers would need to be polished or milled off and re-anodized which isn't worth doing.

For those trying to prevent this, there are things called Shock Socks/Shocksox, just look them up online.

It's a Versys not a show bike, I'd leave the stains alone and call it character.

When you want to sell the bike just put shocksox over the forks and paint over the other parts, but show pics and explain that you did this to the buyer.

The buyer will appreciate it.

[nikster]

Thanks for the tip, I'll try that.

[thaicbr]

and wash it more often... Tony's bike would NEVER get like this. cos he washes it after every ride

[JonnyF]

I had damage on mine, quite a bit worse than yours though. I hard chromed them (imported bike and would have been unjustifiably expensive to replace them just for surface damage) and about 12 months later they still look brand new. About 1000 baht per fork though, so if the damage isn't too bad maybe just leave it and put it down to wear and tear.

[rizla]

Sadly this is not unusual for thai supplied kawasaki`s...

Great value andto a point performance for the buck, BUT the finish on them just dont last...

My friend had a 2002 kawaski 750 (imported) and most of the bike and plastics were in better nick than his 2 year old ninja 650 (thai supplied)..Even when he polished the swinging arm with regular polish the paint came off the bike onto the cloth.....and he had to replace many plastics because they were water staind or faded...

Not much help i know....good luck (oh and dont even mention the chains)

[TongueThaied]

and wash it more often... Tony's bike would NEVER get like this. cos he washes it after every ride

Or, you could be like me. I'm Tony's opposite. My bike is always filthy. Grime, mud, bugs, the works. A little embarrassing at first, but you get used to it! After a while, you just stop worrying about it.

[mrclough]

I have the same problem above the footpeg as well, quite a bit worse than yours to be fair on both sides. It was the same with my Ninja as well. I think their paint & coatings are pi$$ thin which is why they come off after day one lol.

Might be worth removing these parts and getting them powder coated or something.

I'll keep an eye out for the forks & swing arm though, not really a good result when you consider how new the bikes are

[chuppachops]

have u tried brasso on the metal bits, its good stuff.

Edited August 25, 2011 by chuppachops

[mrclough]

have u tried brasso on the metal bits, its good stuff.

If there's any sort of clear coat on the metal parts Brasso would probably just cut right through it and make an even worse finish as it's quite abrasive

Edited August 25, 2011 by mrclough

[BigBikeBKK]

and wash it more often... Tony's bike would NEVER get like this. cos he washes it after every ride

Ha ha ah!

I have no problem getting my bikes dirty, but I do like to have them properly cleaned at the end of a ride.

I've always believed a clean bike is a happy bike

Ride On!

Tony

[BigBikeBKK]

I had damage on mine, quite a bit worse than yours though. I hard chromed them (imported bike and would have been unjustifiably expensive to replace them just for surface damage) and about 12 months later they still look brand new. About 1000 baht per fork though, so if the damage isn't too bad maybe just leave it and put it down to wear and tear.

Where did you get the chrome work done? I'd be most grateful for any recommendations you could share for quality honest chrome work here in Bangkok. Thanks in advance! :jap:

[JonnyF]

I had damage on mine, quite a bit worse than yours though. I hard chromed them (imported bike and would have been unjustifiably expensive to replace them just for surface damage) and about 12 months later they still look brand new. About 1000 baht per fork though, so if the damage isn't too bad maybe just leave it and put it down to wear and tear.

Where did you get the chrome work done? I'd be most grateful for any recommendations you could share for quality honest chrome work here in Bangkok. Thanks in advance! :jap:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/388276-fork-repair/

The guys i went with in the end were www.easyfix1.com and they did a great job.

[nikster]

have u tried brasso on the metal bits, its good stuff.

Update: Went to a fancy car wash as I am a bit in a hurry and can't be bothered to do it myself (... or I just can't be bothered in general LOL) and looks like the stuff on the front fork will come off with the right chemicals.

The stuff on the rear swingarm also comes off! Turns out it's just that black goop (tar?) from when they make new roads. The plastic is scratched & will be replaced.

Leaves the thing above the foot peg - that is a known Kawasaki problem - I guess instead of using aluminum they use some cheap stuff and paint it to look like aluminum. Cheapskates! Still looking for a solution to that... Tony can that part be machined by the shops that you use for the rear sets? Being a computer guy, I am thinking about 3D printing it, actually...

[BigBikeBKK]

have u tried brasso on the metal bits, its good stuff.

Update: Went to a fancy car wash as I am a bit in a hurry and can't be bothered to do it myself (... or I just can't be bothered in general LOL) and looks like the stuff on the front fork will come off with the right chemicals.

The stuff on the rear swingarm also comes off! Turns out it's just that black goop (tar?) from when they make new roads. The plastic is scratched & will be replaced.

Leaves the thing above the foot peg - that is a known Kawasaki problem - I guess instead of using aluminum they use some cheap stuff and paint it to look like aluminum. Cheapskates! Still looking for a solution to that... Tony can that part be machined by the shops that you use for the rear sets? Being a computer guy, I am thinking about 3D printing it, actually...

I'm not sure if the stock stays on the Versys are Aluminum or Steel... I'm guessing they are aluminum. If Aluminum I'd just have them stripped and polished. If steel I'd send them over to Richco and have them blasted and powdercoated.

FWIW my stays are all scratched to hell too, but honestly on a bike like the Versys it really doesn't bother me.

Ride On!

T

[BigBikeBKK]

I had damage on mine, quite a bit worse than yours though. I hard chromed them (imported bike and would have been unjustifiably expensive to replace them just for surface damage) and about 12 months later they still look brand new. About 1000 baht per fork though, so if the damage isn't too bad maybe just leave it and put it down to wear and tear.

Where did you get the chrome work done? I'd be most grateful for any recommendations you could share for quality honest chrome work here in Bangkok. Thanks in advance! :jap:

http://www.thaivisa....76-fork-repair/

The guys i went with in the end were www.easyfix1.com and they did a great job.

Thanks Jonny! :jap:

[katabeachbum]

Update: Went to a fancy car wash as I am a bit in a hurry and can't be bothered to do it myself (... or I just can't be bothered in general LOL) and looks like the stuff on the front fork will come off with the right chemicals.

The stuff on the rear swingarm also comes off! Turns out it's just that black goop (tar?) from when they make new roads. The plastic is scratched & will be replaced.

Leaves the thing above the foot peg - that is a known Kawasaki problem - I guess instead of using aluminum they use some cheap stuff and paint it to look like aluminum. Cheapskates! Still looking for a solution to that... Tony can that part be machined by the shops that you use for the rear sets? Being a computer guy, I am thinking about 3D printing it, actually...

engine degrease, available in spray cans at Homepro

or, but not as good

crc or similar.

Wait for 10 minutes and wash off with warm water/shampoo. Gone

footpeg bracket is solid aluminum with black primer for some od reason, I have replaced one broek in drop, and it scratches easily by boots or high heal ladies

can be machine polished, if you cant find an alumium shop, ask in the rim/tyre shops where they repair/machine polish rims

[mrclough]

have u tried brasso on the metal bits, its good stuff.

Update: Went to a fancy car wash as I am a bit in a hurry and can't be bothered to do it myself (... or I just can't be bothered in general LOL) and looks like the stuff on the front fork will come off with the right chemicals.

The stuff on the rear swingarm also comes off! Turns out it's just that black goop (tar?) from when they make new roads. The plastic is scratched & will be replaced.

Leaves the thing above the foot peg - that is a known Kawasaki problem - I guess instead of using aluminum they use some cheap stuff and paint it to look like aluminum. Cheapskates! Still looking for a solution to that... Tony can that part be machined by the shops that you use for the rear sets? Being a computer guy, I am thinking about 3D printing it, actually...

Out of curiosity which car wash?

I often use the one on Meechok Rimping, they do an excellent job.

[nikster]

Out of curiosity which car wash?

I often use the one on Meechok Rimping, they do an excellent job.

^ For bikes or cars?

Used Car Spa near nimman, always full of Benzes and BMWs and the odd Harley. Wasn't satisfied with their work on the forks and swing arms though - for the prices they charge I expect spotless, and it wasn't. It was Thai-clean but not German-clean. Not even close. Then again TIT. If you know of a really good bike wash in CM let me know. There's one other one on Sirimangkalajarn, might try that next time.

[mrclough]

Out of curiosity which car wash?

I often use the one on Meechok Rimping, they do an excellent job.

^ For bikes or cars?

Used Car Spa near nimman, always full of Benzes and BMWs and the odd Harley. Wasn't satisfied with their work on the forks and swing arms though - for the prices they charge I expect spotless, and it wasn't. It was Thai-clean but not German-clean. Not even close. Then again TIT. If you know of a really good bike wash in CM let me know. There's one other one on Sirimangkalajarn, might try that next time.

I've been using Smile Car on Meechok Plaza beside Rimping on the ring road. Been using them for a while and I'm very satisfied with them. The lady that runs the place inspects the bike and if they miss anything she kicks their ass and makes them do it.

Had to tell them not to clean the brakes when i first started using them as i still like to be able to stop on the way home lol but after that they were really good. They even clean the inside of panniers or top boxes if you have one fitted.

They also give you a card and after 10 times you get a freebie. There is also internet available if you want to sit and wait in their waiting room.

Also plenty of restaurants around if you want food or a coffee.

Edited August 26, 2011 by mrclough

[BSJ]

Aluminium without some kind of coating will start deteriorating soon after the part is made. Anodising is the best way to ensure surface appearance remains pleasing to the eye.