MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE8-28contact with strong or abrasivecleaning products, solvent orthinner, fuel (gasoline), rust re-movers or inhibitors, brake flu-id, antifreeze or electrolyte. Do not use high-pressure wash-ers or steam-jet cleaners sincethey cause water seepage anddeterioration in the following ar-eas: seals (of wheel and swing-arm bearings, fork and brakes),electric components (couplers,connectors, instruments,switches and lights), breatherhoses and vents. For motorcycles equipped witha windshield: Do not use strongcleaners or hard sponges asthey will cause dulling orscratching. Some cleaning com-pounds for plastic may leavescratches on the windshield.Test the product on a small hid-den part of the windshield tomake sure that it does not leaveany marks. If the windshield isscratched, use a quality plasticpolishing compound afterwashing.After normal useRemove dirt with warm water, a milddetergent, and a soft, clean sponge,and then rinse thoroughly with cleanwater. Use a toothbrush or bottlebrushfor hard-to-reach areas. Stubborn dirtand insects will come off more easily ifthe area is covered with a wet cloth fora few minutes before cleaning.After riding in the rain or near the seaSince sea salt is extremely corrosive,carry out the following steps after eachride in the rain or near the sea.1. Clean the motorcycle with cold wa-ter and a mild detergent, after theengine has cooled down.NOTICE: Do not use warm watersince it increases the corrosiveaction of the salt. [ECA10791]2. Apply a corrosion protection sprayon all metal, including chrome- andnickel-plated, surfaces to preventcorrosion.After cleaning1. Dry the motorcycle with a chamoisor an absorbing cloth.2. Immediately dry the drive chainand lubricate it to prevent it fromrusting.3. Use a chrome polish to shinechrome, aluminum and stainless-steel parts, including the exhaustsystem. (Even the thermally in-duced discoloring of stainless-steel exhaust systems can be re-moved through polishing.)4. To prevent corrosion, it is recom-mended to apply a corrosion pro-tection spray on all metal,including chrome- and nickel-plat-ed, surfaces.5. Use spray oil as a universal clean-er to remove any remaining dirt.6. Touch up minor paint damagecaused by stones, etc.7. Wax all painted surfaces.8. Let the motorcycle dry completelybefore storing or covering it.WARNINGEWA14501Contaminants on the brakes or tirescan cause loss of control.U1P614E0.book Page 2 Thursday, April 24, 2008 4:15 PM