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  #1  
Old 21 Sep 2011
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Waterproofing?
Can someone give me a few tips on how to waterproof my F650GS twin's electrics? I'm guessing it's a case of winding electrical tape around exposed connections but I daresay there's more to it than that. I'm also wondering what's the 'plimsoll line' - ie how deep a water crossing is too deep? and do I only need to worry about electrics much above that?

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Old 21 Sep 2011
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I wouldn't touch a thing. Filling connectors with grease or worse still putting tape round them will hold water in just as well as keeping it out. A modern bike like the F650 twin uses connectors that are either sealed IP65 type, or open to let the water drain through.

Can't answer about the wade line, the old single would run with water pushing over the froont mudguard and into the tops of your boots.

Andy
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Old 21 Sep 2011
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Spraying everything in contact treatment oil / ACF50 / WD40 would be a good idea, but otherwise I'd leave it be - as mentioned above things are pretty well sealed from the factory these days.

The most likely problem will come from shorting out the spark plug or ingesting water through the air intakes if you're really pushing it!
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Old 28 Sep 2011
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Not being electrically inclined (took the RAF apprentice college 3 years to convince this aspiring aero engine fitter that a magneto hadn't got a battery secreted about it's person) i would suggest that perhaps your ability in the swimming field might come into it. Ride/swim/wade/paddle safe.
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Old 29 Sep 2011
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I guess the question should be, what are you planning on doing with your 650gs? Use it as an outboard motor??!!

As the others have said, there is little or nothing you really need to do, except perhaps by two snorkels, one for you and one for the GS to stop it from flooding in deep river crossings.
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Old 29 Sep 2011
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I took my 650 across canada and back in the winter Dec to Jan extream conditions I coated everything in AMSOL Metal Protectant its a Parifin based coating clean up is nasty needed alot of rags and a bucket of gas but it worked really well.As for how deep well your air intake is on the bottom right of you headlight assembly so get a good bow wake going and you should be good for a wet crotch
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Old 29 Sep 2011
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WD40 or RP7
Spay with something WD40 or RP7 at most.
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Old 9 Oct 2011
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water crossings need no special electrical treatment. Fresh water is a poor conductor of electricity, and for 12 volts in particular, its absolutely not an issue.

Many bikes (like KTM Adventures) have the battery in the sumpguard. they go through water crossing without a problem, all day long, with the battery over a foot underwater.

I spent a whole summer doing water crossing with the battery in my sumpguard, underwater. Absolutely zero issues.
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