Topic: Rubber Parts Preservative?

[jaknight]

Hi Guys,

Wondering what you guys might be using for preserving the rubber parts on your bikes........ like the large rubber grommets that hold the side covers on, the rubber covers for the "sockets" of the instrument panel bulbs, etc.

I have used petroleum jelly in the past to save the suppleness of these parts, seems OK, but I'm not real happy with the gunkyness of it and the way it attracts and holds dirt and dust.

Not really into Armorall, I've heard too many stories about what happens when you stop using it.  Any other ideas?

~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[bwaller]

I like a product called "Rubber Care" by Wurth in a small spray can.

[Alan F.]

WD-40 works alright, there's a product called 'rubber restore' that I used to use when working on copiers, it extended the life of all belts and rollers that it was used on.
It'd probably do the trick for dried out rubber bike parts too.

Here's some:  http://www.copiersupplystore.com/Models/RUBBER%20RESTORE.aspx

[swan]

Read this thread for resurrecting old rubber parts: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=29707.0

[MRieck]

 New rubber pieces are new....everything else is old, dried up crap. They are not metal....they have a finite life and that was engineered into them. Personally I'm tired of the alchemy with wintergreen, glycerin, ether, alcohol or whatever the f someone thinks it takes. Bone up and get NEW PIECES FOR CHRISTSAKES. Most of you fellas are definitely Christians as you believe in Resurrection from the dead.

I apologize but I've had it with threads like this....are you guys wearing jeans that you bought 25 years ago (OK...normal people).
 Actually this belongs on another thread I was reading and got totally pissed off with......old sh.t is old sh.t..........period.

[Alan F.]

+1 Mike, are there even any rubber parts that have been discontinued?

[MRieck]

+1 Mike, are there even any rubber parts that have been discontinued?

Boy just about everything except the cam tensioner rod/block is available for the 750

[bwaller]

Understood MRieck, when rubber stuff is old & hard, that's all it is. While it's still pliable, I like to baby it.

Oh and I probably still have some of those jeans, but it'd take a miracle......

[jaknight]

Hi Friends,

New rubber pieces are new....everything else is old, dried up crap. They are not metal....they have a finite life and that was engineered into them. Personally I'm tired of the alchemy with wintergreen, glycerin, ether, alcohol or whatever the f someone thinks it takes. Bone up and get NEW PIECES FOR CHRISTSAKES. Most of you fellas are definitely Christians as you believe in Resurrection from the dead.

I apologize but I've had it with threads like this....are you guys wearing jeans that you bought 25 years ago (OK...normal people).
 Actually this belongs on another thread I was reading and got totally pissed off with......old sh.t is old sh.t..........period.

+1 Mike, are there even any rubber parts that have been discontinued?

Boy just about everything except the cam tensioner rod/block is available for the 750

I have "boned up" ..... the dash instrument lights with their wiring and rubber covers for the socket holders are not available from Honda anymore.......

The ignition switch with its rubber slide over protector is not available from Honda anymore......

I never said my bike's parts were broken, rotted, or deteriorated, ..... just want to keep them in the fine shape that they are right now.........

Gees, Mike, get a grip......... There's got to be hundreds of articles here about valves and heads....... Has someone bit your head off about heads.......?

Edit Add On.... Yes, I am Christian and I do believe in The Resurrection

~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[Alan F.]

Uh-Oh!

[MRieck]

Hi Friends,

New rubber pieces are new....everything else is old, dried up crap. They are not metal....they have a finite life and that was engineered into them. Personally I'm tired of the alchemy with wintergreen, glycerin, ether, alcohol or whatever the f someone thinks it takes. Bone up and get NEW PIECES FOR CHRISTSAKES. Most of you fellas are definitely Christians as you believe in Resurrection from the dead.

I apologize but I've had it with threads like this....are you guys wearing jeans that you bought 25 years ago (OK...normal people).
 Actually this belongs on another thread I was reading and got totally pissed off with......old sh.t is old sh.t..........period.

+1 Mike, are there even any rubber parts that have been discontinued?

Boy just about everything except the cam tensioner rod/block is available for the 750

I have "boned up" ..... the dash instrument lights with their wiring and rubber covers for the socket holders are not available from Honda anymore.......

The ignition switch with its rubber slide over protector is not available from Honda anymore......

I never said my bike's parts were broken, rotted, or deteriorated, ..... just want to keep them in the fine shape that they are right now.........

Gees, Mike, get a grip......... There's got to be hundreds of articles here about valves and heads....... Has someone bit your head off about heads.......?

Edit Add On.... Yes, I am Christian and I do believe in The Resurrection

~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

In hindsight I went a bit overboard and I certainly didn't mean to disrespect you but my point is valid. Over the years I have seen (and spoken to)to many people try to "tune" their way around vacuum leaks and worn out parts. This was especially frustrating when I owned a bike shop. Many of these guys refused to believe these parts need replacing. I apologize for the rant and as I said no disrespect aimed at you.

[jaknight]

Hello Mike,

I understand what you are saying about the rubber on the carbs and other parts, and yes, I agree that is a very valid point.  I also can easily understand the frustration for a shop owner or any good mechanic who would like to get a motorcycle problem resolved with a proper solution.

I will let it be known here that I have always had the highest respect for your postings here and have always had the highest regards for your thoughts and ideas.  I always make a point of reading postings by you because I do value what you have to say.  I will also admit here that I am really a newbie and in truth I have very limited motorcycle knowledge (it embarrasses me to read that HotShot below my name).  Though I read your postings, I really don't always know what you are talking about...... My limited knowledge does not stop me from being fascinated by what you say.

I do know that there are many others here who have the utmost trust in what you say.  Myself included.

Sorry this has gotten kind of long.

Perhaps you will read this before you get a PM from me.  I am going to write to you........ There are a few more things I would like to say......

Thank you for your posting to this thread.  Things are OK and good.  Right now its very late where I am (past 2:30 in the morning) and I'm very tired.  I will PM you.....

~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[doobiebro]

When I was scuba diving, I used silicone to maintain and protect my diving mask and fins.  It does a good job of keeping the rubber soft and pliable.

[AshimotoK0]

I tried re plasticizing the PVC??? K0 Airbox rubbers with plasticizers I got from a local PVC manufacturer (with some success)  and then thought that I must be insane trying to resurrect parts which are 40 years old and available from DSS for 3.5GBP each. I think it depends on the bike - if it's something like a K0 with fragile airbox, then you want the 'rubber' as flexible and soft as possible and the expense of cracking your new paint job because you used hard old rubbers kind of makes you wish you had bought new ones.

We are lucky that the rubber parts are still available really, even if they are a bit costly.

I think Honda must have taken a step backward in material selection when they brought out the CB750. My old CD175 sloper 1968 had super flexible side covers and decent rubber, so what did they use on the 750 for covers / airbox and airbox rubber- styrene plastic and PVC 'rubbers' - not the best material selection!!