Craig! You should try living in this part of the north!. There were five full weeks from the end of November till well into January last winter when my road was clear glistening compacted ice cos we just getting snow fall after snow fall...The last two winters have been awful up here with floods and snowfalls ....and I'm old enough to remember 1962 as well   Thanks folks for all the top tips....my bike is stunningly shiny in the sunshine today so off out to mess it up again                                                                                                                                                                              

Bikeabill that's a great idea, taking the headlight bulb out.

I'd never considered such a simple solution to always-on lights, especially just starting and running the bike to keep it on song!

Nice one                                                                                                                                                                              

My mail order ACF-50 was waiting for me when I returned from this afternoons ride out Such a pity it didn't arrive before I set off out cos I could have tested it's efficiency at repelling road-kill detritus                                                                                                                                                                              

Running the engine to warm up every couple of weeks then cool down, must be worse than short journeys where the engine and oil do not get hot enough to take moisture out and you end up with creamy deposits on filler cap etc.                                                                                                                                                                              

Are you saying that short rides give you these deposits Harry, if so just warm it up like I said as I have not come across them with warm ups, also I always change the oil and filter when I put the bike back on the road each year                                                                                                                                                                             

Used to get condensation in oil by using bike for 3 mile ride to work and back, would give it a hard hot ride now and again to dry oil out.                                                                                                                                                                               

Bike now lovingly slathered in ACF50. Did the wheel rims and spokes but couldn't avoid getting some splashes/spray/ drips on the tyre walls. I've rubbed it off with a rag as much as I can. Probably not going out again till next weekend...will I be ok or should I be doing more to clean it off the tyre walls?

Got to agree with the ACF50 it's brill stuff. You can even wash the bike if you use it and it won't come off as long as you just use cold water. Then use hot after the winter...simples !                                                                                                                                                                             

Might want to make sure your fuel tank is full, cos this helps prevent rust and corrosion-causing moisture from forming inside. Adding a fuel stabilsiser keeps the fuel fresh and prevents the petrol from breaking down during cold conditions, which could result in "gummed-up" or varnished fuel lines, injectors and carburettors'. If you do use a stabilsier, make sure you run the engine for a while to get the mixture through the whole system.
                                                                                                                                                                             

Minne dont forget the wind brake                                                                                                                                                                              

minnie do ya mean its on side of tyres as in when you go round bends ya worried?  i got it all over my brake disc!! and was bit concerned but kinda tested em out on drive first and they was fine an she was fine to ride - no problems... i think you will be ok so long as excess is off - i have been reminded many times now to put it on rag to do the wheels but i alwyas forget  pmsl... tis brill stuff tho aitnt it  ...                                                                                                                                                                              

i agree Harry about running engine not good idea - i ahve been informed by someone who knows a thing or 50 about bikes and apparently it is one of worse things you can do in proper winter as like you say bike does not heat up properly so condensation once you turn engine off actually is worse... so its really hard....  but i just leave her till i ride and if it means buying an optimate then that i will dooooooo  but i will never start me bike in winter now if im not gonna go on good ride..                                                                                                                                                                             

I was worried Suzi but I've been out since I committed that faux pas . Took it easy trying out the brakes and everything was fine.
That AC50 is fab. I took the cover off on saturday and she's still looking absolutely gorgeous and the dreaded corrosion isn't breaking out like it was this time last year   She started fine a week ago when I took her to get a puncture fixed....ooohh can't wait for the weather to perk up                                                                                                                                                                             

ah thats brill minnie i thought you would prob be okies  - acf50 is feckin ace aint it  im glad your baby is protected from the dreaded corresion...only problemo is all the crap clings to the acf50 bt at least ya know its sparkly underneath!! if i had my way i wouldnt have any chrome on my bike!!! so long as i remember the rag hahahaha!!   i cant wait for pay day tmrw so i can tax my booty again  and like you say lets hope the chill factor warms up a bit soooooooooon                                                                                                                                                                              

Muppets fs635 will protect your bike all YEAR ROUND CHEAPER THAT ACF5O AND ALSO IS ATOMISED SPRAY ACTION SO REACHES  ALL THE NOOKS N CRANNIES  ...   YO KOOLKEV                                                                                                                                                                             

WD DEF NOT CAN EFFECT RUBBER BITZ   RUNNING THE BIKE DOES IT NO HARM  AT ALL   KOOLKEV.. WOOHOO   RIDE SAFE  YALL                                                                                                                                                                             

bill you need professional help   scrubbin tyres in witha grinder (b****t)   they need heat to release mould agents u plonka lol   PMSLKOOLKEV                                                                                                                                                                             

hey whats this whose having a go at me then, i have enough experience to know what works for me and the pros and cons of it was explained in detail by Greasy Tony, which was a good post but as for yours spaceboy 4 i think the space must be between your ears.
                                                                                                                                                                             

ok easy tiger you carry on with your anglegrinder buddi
but if you were to ask me if i ,d shell out £100 plus for a tyre then attack it with an angle grinder  naaa ...oo00   anyway  ride safe   byyyyye                                                                                                                                                                             

Am  I the only one who hasn't got a clue what spaceboy is on about?? Anglegrinder???   I value your advice Bill & cheers for taking the time