So I have just started some very basic cleaning on the wheels of my YDS3. After gently removing some of the grime from the front hub, I discovered that one of the previous owners seems to have created some scratches, (almost as if with sand paper) in the metal. Additionally some of the spots on the hub where oxidation has taken place are rather stubborn and I am not sure the best way to work on them without causing harm to the metal. I was hoping that some of you might be able to advise me on the next steps for cleaning the hubs and spokes or point me in the direction of where this might have been covered before. Sorry for the lousy picture, I’ll add a better one later. As several of you advised, I ordered some Purple polish. A friend of mine suggested a “Flitz powerball” for cleaning the spokes using a drill, but I’m a bit concerned that might be too much on the aged metal. You have all been immensely helpful and encouraging, as I don’t have much (if any) Motorcycle knowledge. Also, I didn’t realize nearly all of you are in Australia! Very nice to meet you all, and warm greetings from this frozen Yank. -Jon
Would like to swap you some 41C heat for your cold. That Flitz powerball thing looks like it might be useful. The spokes I suggest steel wool with an abrasive polish like you would use on chromework and lots of elbow grease. The hub may need light sanding with very fine wet and dry paper (use with plenty of dish soap in the water) like 1000 or 1200 grit and then polish with the Flitz thing or similar powered attachment. These hubs originally had a clear lacquer coating and any remaining bits of it will need to be stripped off before polishing (thinners work well).
I will up your 41 to 47.3 here yesterday Murdo... Murdo is right on the money with cleaning up the chrome etc... it is a slow and tedious job but well worth it in the end.
47.3 wow. Last time I got that sort of heat was at the salt lakes in SA when it was 48. Welcome to summer in Aus.
There is a process called wet blasting , also known as aqua blasting , Vaqua blasting , this uses water , Compressed air and glass beads and cleans old alloys up beautifully , great for spokes and the centre of the hub which are finned , then you can polish the hub sides, google it and see if anyone in your area does it
Steely soap pads ... wet ... good for deglazing brake rotors also Aluminium foil crunched up with WD40 works on pitted chrome also
That's a nice old Yammer. I had one back in '67(last century) when I was in high school. I too am on this side of the pond. I've had decent results on the polished aluminum parts with products like Mothers after a soda blasting to remove the crud and corrosion.