Water entering windshield crossbar and causing rust

[Sierra1]

Sounds like something I might say

That's 'cuz we're doin' Texas shit.

 

[robp]

Swap out the tube with Ospho or some other rust converter to neutralize the rust.

 

[ncpkwyrider747]

Same “problem” here in the Netherlands. I bet the UK guys know all about this too.

What do you do to fix it?

 

[StefanOnHisS10]

What do you do to fix it?

Nothing yet, but my go-to way is to take the parts of and have them powdercoated. A cheap and quality combo.
Had my centre-stand done this winter, was only 35 euros.

 

[ncpkwyrider747]

Nothing yet, but my go-to way is to take the parts of and have them powdercoated. A cheap and quality combo.
Had my centre-stand done this winter, was only 35 euros.
View attachment 108627

Looks like they did a nice job.

 

[ncpkwyrider747]

I don't know if you're a gun guy, but if this was happening to me, I'd run a bore brush through the tubing to dislodge any rust that was already in there, and then I'd run a patch soaked in WD40 through the tube to remove the rust and to help prevent the rust from getting a foothold again. I'd do that before I sealed the ends of the tube.

I did what you suggested and it worked very well. There was a lot of rust in there so it took a while to work it all out. After running the bore brush through, it took running 4 patches through soaked in WD40 before one came out with no rust on it. I found some rubber stoppers on Amazon to seal the ends of the tube. Thanks again for your help.

 

[RCinNC]

I did what you suggested and it worked very well. There was a lot of rust in there so it took a while to work it all out. After running the bore brush through, it took running 4 patches through soaked in WD40 before one came out with no rust on it. I found some rubber stoppers on Amazon to seal the ends of the tube. Thanks again for your help.

That's excellent news, I'm glad I could help.

One reason I suggested rubber stoppers was so that you could occasionally check the tubing for the return of any rust. The WD40 will really help slow that down, but it never hurts to make sure. I have some experience with metal tubing on bicycle frames, and the rust can really get a foothold inside the tubing and do a lot of damage before it's ever visible from the outside.