Chrome and metal before winter storage: stop corrosion

Road salt and damp autumn cold eat chrome, bare aluminium and fasteners faster than you'd expect. Half an hour in the garage now saves hours of sanding in spring.

• Wash the bike thoroughly with warm water and bike shampoo, especially the frame, swingarm, exhaust and lower fasteners where salt and grime collect.
• Dry everything with a clean cloth, blow out hard-to-reach spots with compressed air, and leave the bike in a warm room until moisture has evaporated.
• Inspect chrome and bare metal: remove small rust spots with a soft cloth and chrome cleaner, never abrasives or wire brushes.
• Apply a thin coat of protective wax or metal preservative to chrome, aluminium and bolts, then buff with a soft cloth.
• Lightly oil exposed bare fasteners and cables, and keep any lubricant off discs, pads and tyres.
• Store the bike in a dry, ventilated place under a breathable cover, not plastic sheeting.