Care of the CR's aluminum frame?

[RGalesi]

Just bought a "new" 03 CR250R, and even though it already has two year on its back, the bike was really never ridden with MX boots, I think.

The reason I say this is because the frame looks just like new, and after I rode it about 20 minutes on a track, some marks of the boot rubbing it already appeared.

I wonder what you guys do to your frames to either prevent the marks, or to eliminate it after the ride...

I saw a picture of MC's bike for this year, and his team covered the lower portions of the frame (and the airboot also) with 3M anti-slip tapes, so I may go into that direction...

Any help would be hot...

 

[john3_16]

That sounds like a good idea with the 3 m...The aluminum will tend to get a little dark where your boots rub it...I usually just wash mine and go at it with some Honda spray polish....You can get some mothers aluminum polish and it'll clean it right off.....If you don't want it too shiny just put a tiny bit on it and with a smooth cotton cloth briefly rub it off....Just enough to get the dark stuff off....Extensive rubbing will make it shiny.


Also, it would be a good idea to take off the radiator shrouds and put a small piece of electrical tape or thin piece of foam rubber with adhesive backing right where the lower shroud touches the frame...It can groove up a little if you squeeze the tank alot with your knees...

While you're at it...Take off your front number plate and put some electrical tape on your cables where they rub the front part of the frame because after a while the rubber coverings will get worn exposing your wires.

 

[dirtbikr99]

Also i would just like to point out, if you use grip tape on the frame you will wear your boots out twice as fast. For some people the added control with the extra grip is worth it. But for me i feel the extra wear on the boots is not worth the extra grip. You may want to look into a frame guard. When I had a aluminum framed cr I would just take the shrouds off and use emery cloth(very fine sand paper) and use long strokes lengthwise with the frame, then polish with a compound of your choice. The frame comes out very clean, but not overly shiny.

 

[cr250can]

Love it when I polish my frame and it has that mirror finish. it looks awsome :cool:

 

[tyesai]

I just polish it with mothers, if you pull the plastic it only takes about 20 minutes to give the whole thing a decent shine. Also as stated before put something under were the plastic rubs the frame. Mine started to rub into the metal.

 

[xerokewl10]

What can i use to cover the upper part of the frame where the radiator plastics rub the frame and create nicks in the alluminum...i already have some and need to stop it quick...what can i put on hte fraem to help the wear on the frame...

 

[tyesai]

I started the same exact thread not to long ago, here it is.

http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=115499&highlight=plastic+rubbing+frame

I ended up putting a thin line of J.B. Weld into the grove and then duct tape over that and some tape on the plastic, I have only one ride on it after that though. There is plenty good ideas in the thread.

 

[pace]

Brasso is good for getting the frame bright and shiny. I have clear 3M on the upper portion of the spars, including where the shrouds rub. On the lower portion, I keep my white Tech-8s spiffy looking by custom-fitting frame tape. I actually use truck-bed/step tape which has a no-slip texture that doesn't tear up your boots like the really grippy frame tape does. Unfortunately it does mean that the tape wears out quicker than the abrasive stuff, but it's only about $10 for a big roll of the stuff from Pep Boys.

 

[FiremanCRF450R]

You can also get some of the stomp traction material and it works great and doesn't tear up boots and it is also clear.

 

[mxneagle]

Just get some scotchbrite and rub it down while washing it when you think it needs a touch up, that's what the factory guys do. It comes out with a nice brushed look and is easier to maintain than a polished look

 

[RGalesi]

I could try to post an image of my frame with the 3M grip tape on it, but unfortunately I'm to cheap to be allowed to attach images here...

It came out OK, I think... Let's see how the boot stands the abuse now... (oh Gosh, life is full of trade-offs)...