Do NOT leave the bugs on!

[Donnie869]

Last weekend I went on a three hour tour down to South Florida and hung out with some friends, drank some brews and stayed longer than I had planned so I wouldn't be drinking and riding. Rode home in the dark and the bugs were so thick it sounded like hail was blasting my faceshield. Lazy me left all the bug splats on the bike for a week before washing the splatted critters off. While I was hosing off I blasted about a four inch chip of paint off the right side mirror stem. So now I must break out the sandpaper and paint. I must blame it on me leaving the bug splats on for too long and the acid from the bug guts ate at the paint. I have washed my bike the same way since day one. DANG IT ! Don't be like me and get those critters washed off ASAP !:spank:

 

[bmccrary]

Last weekend I went on a three hour tour

Best watch those! I heard a story once about a group of ppl that went on one and it turned out to be much longer. I think they even made a TV series out of it...

-bryan

 

[Motogiro]

best watch those! I heard a story once about a group of ppl that went on one and it turned out to be much longer. I think they even made a tv series out of it...

-bryan

:rockon: :thumbup: LOL! LOL!!

 

[DaveMc]

Down in southeast texas every fall we get millions of these black bugs that swarm highways. I mean thick as clouds. Here's what takes them off (of cars, anyway)


A dryer sheet (Bounce, etc)

Wet it, and wet the front of the car and rub very lightly.


Takes off ALL bug residue without leaving anything behind.


DISCLOSURE: Never tried it on something like a windscreen or faceshield, etc.

 

[Raid The Revenge]

I use this stuff. It helps add a little protection from the little phobias.

 

[Botch]

I'm having my doubts that bug guts ate at the paint that much; sounds more like a defect in the paint job.
I'm pretty sure my '07 mirror stalks are just black plastic; what year is your bike?

 

[dako81]

I'm having my doubts that bug guts ate at the paint that much; sounds more like a defect in the paint job.
I'm pretty sure my '07 mirror stalks are just black plastic; what year is your bike?

If it's an '07 or newer, they're aluminum for sure. Also, there is a thread around here somewhere about someone's pain coming off their mirror stalks as well.

 

[sm00thpapa]

Thanks for the heads up. My bike is MINT with no bugs and only has 32 miles on it.

 

[Cloggy]

Here's my thread about corroded wing mirror stalks. .

I don't think it really had anything to do with the bugs.

 

[bmccrary]

Bug guts can do it. Ill take a picture of the front end of the Camaro sitting at home. Dad took it to flordia for a trip and I didnt wash it for a while till he got home. It ate the clear off in the pattern that their insides left. This was also due to a bad couple of years in GM's clear coat and primmer... but still it can be done.

-bryan

 

[Cloggy]

Bug guts can do it. Ill take a picture of the front end of the Camaro sitting at home. Dad took it to flordia for a trip and I didnt wash it for a while till he got home. It ate the clear off in the pattern that their insides left. This was also due to a bad couple of years in GM's clear coat and primmer... but still it can be done.

-bryan

Bryan it's probably a combination of bug guts combined with a bad coating.

 

[rbesr]

This time of the year, in Florida, the love bugs will flat out destroy your paint. Those of you that have never seen it may find it difficult to believe but it's the truth. Their guts are extremely corrosive. The quality of the coating has nothing to do with it. You have to wash them off almost immediately to keep from damaging your paint.

 

[04fizzer]

Thanks for the heads up. My bike is MINT with no bugs and only has 32 miles on it.

Step 1) Get off the computer.

Step 2) GO RIDE

 

[bmccrary]

I was about to say the same thing. 32 miles? The bike is ment for riding. Grab and map and just go!

-bryan