Motorcycle Repair: Flakes on Bike, aluminum cleaners, bill silver

Question
Hi Bill,
  I was looking at my bike the other day.  Spring is here and I thought I would start getting the bike ready for the season.  I kept my bike in my garage over the winter covered by my bike cover.  When I took the cover off I noticed that there were white flakes all over the bike.  I could just wipe them off of the tank, seat, and fenders.  It is also on the motor, and when I tried to wash it off it wouldn't come off.  Is that the start of rust?  What can I do to get it off?

Thanks
Stacey


Answer
Stacey, "white flakes" isn't very descriptive for me to help you very much. Hard or soft, large or small? Do they have a smell to them? What kind of bike cover do you have?

Could be something flaking from the bike cover liner, if it has one. If it doesn't have one, the less expensive covers don't allow the bike to breathe and condensation builds up beneath the cover causing corrosion.

If you live in an area where the air is acidic then this may be the cause, compounded by the bike cover trapping moisture underneath.

Try some WD40 on the motor in a small place and see if that helps. S100 or similar motorcycle cleaners may be useful, too.

Rust occurs on steel. Oxidation damage on aluminum is different. Look for aluminum cleaners in that case.

Bill Silver