Motorcycle Cleaning - Suzuki DR·Z400SM Owner's Manual

Important Information About
Corrosion
Common causes of corrosion
1. Accumulation of road salt, dirt,
moisture, or chemicals in hard­
to-reach areas.
2. Chipping, scratches, and any
damage to treated or painted
metal surfaces resulting from
minor accidents or impacts
from stones and gravel.
Road salt, dust-control chemicals,
sea air, industrial pollution, and
high humidity will all contribute to
corrosion.
How to Help Prevent Corrosion
• Wash your motorcycle fre ­
quently, at least once a month.
Keep your motorcycle as clean
and dryas possible.
• Remove foreign material
deposits. Foreign material
such as road salt, chemicals.
road oil or tar, tree sap, bird
droppings and industrial fal/ ­
out may damage your motor ­
cycle's finish. Remove these
types of deposits as quickly as
possible. If these deposits are
difficult to wash off, an addi ­
tional cleaner may be
required. Follow the manufac ­
turer's directions when using
these special cleaners.
• Repair finish damage as soon
as possible. Carefully examine
your motorcycle for damage to
the painted surfaces. Should
you find any chips or scratches
in the paint, touch them up
immediately to prevent corro­
sion from starting. If the chips
or scratches have gone
through to the bare metal,
have a Suzuki dealer make the
repair.
• Store your motorcycle in a dry,
well ventilated area. If you
often wash your motorcycle in
the garage or if you frequently
park it inside when wet, your
garage may be damp. The
high humidity may cause or
accelerate corrosion. A wet
motorcycle may corrode even
in a heated garage if the venti ­
lation is poor.
•
Cover your motorcycle Expo
sure to mid-day sun Glil C,1lJS(~
the colors in pain\, pl;lslle
parts, and instrument becs
10
fade. Covering your IllOlorey
c1e with a high-quality, "IJICiltil
able" motorcycle cover Cim
help protect the finish trolll tlte
harmful
UV
rays ill slJllllqlll
and can reduce the cliTlOIJlll o!
dust and air pollutioll rCilctlllHj
the surface. Your SlulJkl
dealer can help you seb:! lite
right cover for your 1l1olorey
cle.
MOTORCYCLE CLEANING
Washing the Motorcycle
When washing the motorcycle,
follow the instructions below:
1.
Remove dirt and mud from the
motorcycle with running water.
YOIJ may use a soft sponge or
IlrlJsh Do not use hard materi­
ills which can scratch the
p'lllli.
;J
W,lsh the entire motorcycle
With mild detergent or car
wilsll soap using a sponge or
soft cloth The sponge or cloth
SllOUld be frequently soaked in
the soap solution.
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. .
Radiator fins can be damaged
by spraying high pressure
water on them.
Do not spray high pressure
I
water on the radiator fins.
NOTE: Avoid spraying or allowing
water to flow over the following
places:
• Spark plug
Fuel tank cap
Carburetor
• Brake master cylinders
3 Once the dirt has been com­
pletely removed, rinse off the
detergent with running water.
4. After rinsing, wipe off the
motorcycle with a wet chamois
or cloth and allow it to dry III
the shade
9-4
9-5