In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry in a small lab in San Diego, California - WD40 was born! Possibly the most useful thing our colonial cousins accross the big pond have ever invented...

I'm in the habit of literally covering my bikes in the stuff (other than the brakes of course). I also use the stuff to clean my bikes generally. Sod buying all these costly alternatives, WD40 seems the cheapest stuff and the BEST.

When the Winter weather arrives I cease to ride my bikes and simply put them away in a warm and dry garage with a bike dust cover over the top. I connect the batteries to a Datatool Optimiser and drain the carbs of fuel (by running the bike with the fuel tap off). Finally, I coat the whole thing with masses of WD40. In the Spring, off comes the cover and I give the bikes a good shampoo. I then re-coat all the engine and metalic parts with WD40. Finally I service the bikes and do an oil/filter change. The bikes now ready for RIDING... I re-apply WD40 to the bike every week in the riding season.

I'm the rider with smoke billowing from the engine as the WD40 burns off!!!!!!!!

Both my bikes are quite old models but they are both low miles and in pristine condition. Personally I put this down to my WD40 addiction.

The question I'd like to ask you all is "Am I damaging myself or the bike by doing this"? I know there are other similar sprays and gels on the market but most appear expensive compared to my beloved WD40. Perhaps we could all discuss the alternatives as well? I'm also looking for a dealer who will give me a good price for bulk orders and perhaps a forum where I can discuss my habit....

Are there any other users out there who can provide support? I've tried to stop but I go "cold turkey" after only a few days away from the stuff!

I'm even considering a sort of pilgrimage to the UK Headquarters of WD40 in Milton Keynes on my bike this summer! I wanted to vist the US WD40 HQ in 2005 whilst on holiday in the states but the Mrs threatened to leave me so I relented.

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Im with ya on that one, I love that hot wd 40 effect smoke everywhere. My brother in law just bought a top end mountain bike and the sales guy sold him some expensive chain lube and cleaning products, I asked whats wrong with wd 40 and the salesman just chuckled.

I think Ill have the last laugh, Ive sworn by the stuff for years and never had any problems its great for cleaning things up and keeping the rust at bay.

I even rate some of the copies which are even cheaper although I must admit they are not upto WD 40.

My only criticism with WD40 as long term protection is that it is not very kind to polished alloy over a long period of time. I prefer a product called GT85 for lubrication and corrosion protection adopted from my mountain bike days.

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If you think you are too small to make a difference you have never spent the night with a mosquito.

WD is OK, but can be a bit of a jack-of-all-sprays, it cleans, lubes, releases and protects etc. As such there is normally something better around for any specific job. I don't touch WD any more for lubricating (attracts too much crud, I also use Gt85 for this), cleaning (box full of cleaning solvents etc) or freeeing rusted bits (PLUSGAS RULES!!!). I use WD extensively, however, on my garden shears, works great!

ps one thing I would add to the hibernation preparation would be to pour some engine oil in through the spark-plug hole and giving it one turn after fuel has been emptied etc (if its a single cyl. leave it at TDC), gives that bit of extra protection to the cylinder bore

Good grief, I've recently moved from Milton Keynes having lived there for the last 15 ish years and I didn't know that.
The land of concrete cows and WD40, well, well, you live and learn.

Good idea Henry I will add it to my list of things to do before laying the bikes up for winter.

Hustler -

Mailing address:
WD-40 Company Ltd,
PO Box 440,
Kiln Farm,
Milton Keynes,
MK11 3LF

It's my sort of Hadje (Mecca). An annual pilgrimage to MILTON-KEYNES!

I'm a life member of this lot - WD-40 Fan Club: Join Today to Access WD-40 Uses, Benefits, Tips, Freebies and More

Yes I know, I'm sad, very very SAD!

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Old oil

Does not old, as in used by past operation, have stuff in it that will, over time, damage the engine etc? Would it not be better to change the oil and filter before storing the bike?


WD40
Tends to dry to a sticky glue .. ok for surface protection but not good as a lubricant nor shedding dust.

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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

I have a mate who reckons you only need two tools in your kit: WD40 and Duct Tape..... if it won't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use the duct tape.



Cheers

Nigel in NZ

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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

Mate,

See if you can find some Lanox or Inox (less heavy duty) from these guys. It's what's used down under for spraying 4wd's driving the things up and down the beach. Plus to prevent the sea spray corroding the thing away.
I have a UK re-built Tenere a few years back, and as soon as it hit Aussie soil it began rusting away so it's very corrosive out here. Didn't know about this stuff then.
It's good stuff, give it a go. It doesn't wash off easily or evaporates as does WD40.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

Kiln Farm.
We used the Age Concern place there (I'm looking at a little table we bought there right now as it happens) and also a boot place where I bought a pair of workshop type boots but obviously I missed out on the big one.
Sorry Kent, lack of respect I know.

Hi Neil.

From a Health & Safety perspective (I'm a H&S Officer) I would state that the use of WD40 should pose little or no harm if you apply common sense and logic. Remember that it's a solvent vapour so only use in a well ventilated area, it also contains propane/butane so ensure there is no source of ignition. As the substance is derived from mineral oil ensure too that it doesn't come into contact with your skin, so handle the same way you would with any other type of oil. Finally, we all know it smells nice, but try not to use as a substitute for glade plug-ins or shake 'n' vac! Lesson over, sorry if I've bored the ar*e off anyone cos I know you all love Health and Safety.

Oh no, we've been infiltrated! There is an H&S officer in our very midst... I can see things taking a turn for the worse, has the Lumb Farm meet even been subjected to a proper risk assessment?? Forms in triplicate please! (all in jest of course.)

Thanks for the vote of confidence Henry, suffice to say I'm not of the anorak & clipboard generation.

I'm another fan of WD, but I was recently told, by a fork truck engineer, that it's corrosive and should NOT be used on items like chains...!

Personally, I've never had a problem with this but who knows?

It's brilliant for cables, just whizz some through a cable oiler to get the wet out then follow up with a squirt of light oil-I like 3in1 myself-and ta da, free and easy controls.

And yes, it's fabulous at reviving decrepit old electrics.

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Beware the dark, mechanical bird.