RUST! my bike is being eaten alive!

[Lucian]

I have a 2007 uk spec gs that is only 7 months old and the exhaust headers, mirrors, headlight surround and certain pipes are rusting already. Anybody know how i could remedy this cheaply? Or am i looking at replacing the parts?

[ben2go]

No cheap fix.You could sand and paint everything but it'll be rusty with in a year.The best long term solution ,but more up front, is powder coating and ceramic coating on the exhaust.

[Lucian]

I was worried that might be the case. Could i just strip the lot and spray it with heat-proof paint? Would i have 2 sand it all down to the bare metal 1st? (i know naff all about painting tho!).

And thanks for the feedback bro.

[ben2go]

I would sand it down good and use hi temp paint.If you can get the rust off it will last longer.No need to go all the way to bare metal.Just enough to rough it up so the paint will stick.Some people use stove or grill paint.I don't know if you guys have that over there.Here's a link that maybe of some help.There maybe a thread in the FAQ section.

http://gstwin.com/vanceandhines.htm#repaint

[Lucian]

Yeah i know a shop that sells black high heat exhaust paint. A bit pricey but might be worth it in long run.

Thanks for all the advice bro. Its appreciated.

[sledge]

Headers rust..period. As for the other parts, I would be back at the dealers complaining, they might replace the parts under warranty if you are lucky.

BTW Here is a tip...... instead of repainting them, try some Black Grate polish like this...........https://www.heritage-homeandgarden.co.uk/product_info.php?language=en&products_id=8778

Just wire brush the loose stuff off and put a few coats of polish on. The results will amaze you and its far easier and cheaper than repainting.

[Lucian]

Yeah i would complain but the dealer i bought the bike from closed down due to a law suit. The next nearest suzuki branch is WAY too far to be viable.

The headers arent my main concern as im hoping to have a stainless full system by next month, its the other crap thats pissing me off. Thanx 4 the link, looks like that would work out loads cheaper if u say it'll work.

[pjm204]

do you keep your bike outside? if so you might want to figure out a better method of storage. My GS is 7 years old with no real rust on it because it is garage kept...obviously not everyone has a garage.....maybe a cover?

[ben2go]

Here is one of my post about rust removal. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=40883.0

I recently soaked my headlight bucket and trim in distilled vinegar and used an old tooth brush to scrub the rust out.It took a couple days of soaking with scrubbing few times thru out the day.I used an old plastic pail/bucket for soaking.I wouldn't use a metal bucket.

[philward]

I stripped and repainted my headers when I upgraded to the Yoshi exhaust.  I bought a wire brush for the anglegrinder for about $15.  It took the exhaust down to bare metal in no time.  A brief sand with some 320 grade sandpaper and it was all ready for paint.

Just be careful with the brush, it spins really fast and occasionally sheds steel wires.  Definitely want to be wearing eye protection, gloves, etc.  It does strip the paint in minutes though. 

I painted with PJ1 and it cost about $20 for a can, iirc.

[gsJack]

I use my bikes on the salt water covered streets of NE Ohio year round and they get rusty.  Very rusty and the GS500 is the worst of the lot in this regard.  I had a CM400 that went almost 100k miles before the steel front fender rusted thru and fell off, at least the GS has plastic fenders.   

I clean them up a wee bit in the spring and keep on riding.  Took my 02 GS to the magic wand car wash last month and gave it a good washing and next day the rust on the frame, ctr stand, side stand, chain adjusters, etc was bright orange and ugly.  I sprayed the rust with WD-40 to dull and darken it and went back to riding, that's what it's for and it actually looks OK from 20 feet or more away.   

Only real problem is those darn common steel pins that hold the brake pads in the calipers, 2 in back and 1 in front that get rusted in place and make it hard to get the calipers apart.  Wish they'd make them from stainless.

Headers rust quickly but they never rust thru, no problem.

[Lucian]

In answer to all of above:

Yes the bike is garaged, but the main problems are that its used 365, and that i live in NW England (salt capitol of the universe!). Ive found an easy way out in regards to the cosmetic stuff (i.e: mirrors, headlight trim, etc.) and sourced plastic replacments that look just like the chrome stuff.

The stuff i cant replace easily im going to strip down and try your guys tips (maybe i should buy an angle grinder!).

Thanks for the response guys, i will no doubt need to put it all into pratice to get the bike fairly rust free!