Polishing the beak!

[noddy]

Hi All

Was thinking of changing the Crosstourer for a younger model.  The old girl has 37000 miles on her and I've had her for 3 years.  However the trade in value is not good (£1950 to £4000 offered) and in these uncertain times I've decided to hang on to my money.

So I've been sprucing her up.  T-Cut and polished the front mudguard and painted parts and used auto-sol on the down pipes and exhaust and she has come up lovely.  The only bit that lets her down is the beak. 

It's definitely got that old plastic look.  Any tips for bringing it back to showroom.

Thanks

John

[Jfro5867]

I've traded a few bikes over the last few years (mid life crisis probably) and trade ins are poor so I can assure you it's not a CT only issue. I think PCP's are to blame, when you can have a 25k bike for maybe £250 a month why buy secondhand? I know it's a rental and all the other issues, not for me. Nothing against it if it's what you want but nope I want to own my bikes. Anyway. Back to beak. I believe plastic degrades over time with sun exposure etc, WD40 always works to restore lustre, and I have had great results with MER products. Like a gel you wipe on. Back to black, that sort of stuff. Does last a while but you have to re-apply it every so often.

[maccduff]

if i had a car with 37000 miles on , i would class it as low milage, funny how we perceive milage on motorcycles. a 1200cc motorcycle engine surely would outlast a 1200cc car engine.
 

[andyrob]

Silicone spray.

Spray on and leave for ultra shiny pics. Spray on and wipe for “like new” plastics.

[noddy]

Hi all

The bike rides as well at 37000 as it did when I bought it with 20000 on. I just fancied a change and once that idea is in your head is hard to get rid of. That's why I'm putting a little effort in making my bike look like the ones in the showroom do!

I think I'll try the silicon spray as it seems to work wonders for the car paint.

Thanks for the advice.

John

[Hartley]

Autoglym do a product called Bumper care or something, good on plastic.

[mzflorida]

303 Protectant.  It restores and makes it look like new.   It lasts for about 6 weeks.  I first saw it being used at Barett Jackson in Palm Beach, then saw it on some of the car shows I watch.   Tried it on a 11 year old Subaru I was selling and became hooked for life.   Far and away the best product out there.   I am now using thier leather cleaner and protector too. I have a Cadillac SUV with a ton of leather, and it is so easy (I like my cars to be clean).  Believe the reviews.  Use it from day one and it delays the onset of any discoloration.  The leather cleaner conditioner is incredibly effective.  Order it from Amazon.   If it doesn't live up to my hype, return it.

I won't endorse it for this, but it is supposed to prevent UV damage to tires as well.  I do not use it on motorcycle tires.   

[Big-red]

I've done 52K kms and in Australia these bikes still sell for around $10K Aust $ I change the oil & filter every 5K and I expect that engine to do at least 160 - 200K. my 2000 year Honda 650 Dominator has done 105K and the engine is original. as far as cleaning the bike i use Mr Sheen on the whole bike it works great keeps the black plastic bits looking great.