How many new sprays, chemistries and concepts can there possibly be, when it comes to protecting your bike?
Apparently, at least one more, and that is this Motorcycle Maintenance Pack comprising three things that I genuinely need for one of my bikes, and two of which for the rest.
This is going to be a long term test because short of coating my Shovelhead with the stuff and parking it on a lifeboat slipway for a month, there is no easy way to accelerate the effects of weather, so I’m going to focus on the principles for now, and we’ll come back to it.
So, three things: a rust blocker, a high performance multipurpose maintenance spray and a chain lubricant … and an extension nozzle so you can spray in inaccessible places, three microfibre cloths and a detailing brush.
Chain Lubricant.
Yes, most of you are running nice clean, maintenance-free belts on your Harleys – I am on my Buell and Victory – but for those of us afflicted with a chain drive, who have to spend literally minutes and tens of pounds replacing a tired old chain for a brand new every now and again, this is really interesting … unless their chain oiler is still connected, of course.
Why do we love belts?
Because they are clean. No more grease from the chain covering the primary side of your big-twin or timing-side of your Sportster.
We could, of course, shell out for an O-ring chain, which keeps everything in, but we don’t: we’re running 50hp torque monsters not 150hp Superbikes, and don’t see the merit in spending a small fortune on technology that we’re not going to get the benefit from.
This, however, could be what we’ve been waiting for. It lays down a thin, even and dry coating on the links – which it also penetrates – which reduces friction, withstands extreme pressures, minimises long term wear and maximises power transfer.
That’s easy enough to say but having just fitted a new chain to the Low Rider, I’ve got the perfect test for it – and the extension straw tucked in the cap is a good start, having made it much easier to apply than expected.
High Performance Multipurpose Spray.
We have all used such sprays in our time, and have our favourites, but this is claimed to be up to 50% more effective than the market leader, and is recommended by the AA.
Like all such sprays it loosens rusty bolts, lubricates, gets under grime and grease to aid cleaning and leaves a protective layer behind to prevent rust and corrosion, and it will displace moisture from your electrics – all essential things for all weather riders – but the suggestion is that it does the job better.
With winter here, and hopefully some down time in December to get my spanners out, I’ll be testing the claims against the two I’ve been using to date.
Rust Blocker.
Now this one is really interesting, because it comes with a lot of supporting tests against industry leaders. And while the Shovel shrugs off inclement weather, the Buell uses lesser, lighter materials and the Chinese outfit is frankly appalling.
Claimed to protect for up to 500 times longer than multipurpose sprays and at least twice as long as a leading specialist brand – both using a recognised salt spray testing method – this should keep my stuff protected through winter, while the manufacturer’s press fleets are tucked up out of the foul weather.
Watch this space for more details, and check out their website for the pitch from Edd China off the telly.