Oletimer
Active member
Awesome idea I am going to do this thanks a lot!
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Washng your bike
- Thread starter Mukala
- Start date
Awesome idea I am going to do this thanks a lot!
dont pressure wash instrument clusters......just don't.
Jimsun
Well-known member
But itll turn out shiny and broken. Who wouldnt want shiny squeaky clean cluster?
LannyNguyen
Well-known member
People are getting into detail about washing a bike.
A bike is built so it can deal with road conditions like cars.
Wash a bike like you wash a car.
Clean the chain and oil it.
As for salt, common sense to clean hard where the salt is going to spray when you rode it.
Salt isn't going to affect anything but to rust, so if you want to get into detail, brush hard on metals.
I ride a cruiser and people see it. I can leave the salt on the bike for 2 weeks without it having any rust on it and a cruiser has more exposed metals on it.
A bike is built so it can deal with road conditions like cars.
Wash a bike like you wash a car.
Clean the chain and oil it.
As for salt, common sense to clean hard where the salt is going to spray when you rode it.
Salt isn't going to affect anything but to rust, so if you want to get into detail, brush hard on metals.
I ride a cruiser and people see it. I can leave the salt on the bike for 2 weeks without it having any rust on it and a cruiser has more exposed metals on it.
I've simplified my cleaning process over the years:
1. Get a squeaky clean bucket, fill with suds and a clean sponge or rag. I have never had an issue with regular dish soap, but if you're worried, buy a specialty soap.
2. Park your motorcycle in the shade (the sun drys things too fast).
3. Spray down every inch of the motorcycle. The goal is to remove every trace of sand and other grit (grit/sand=sandpaper if not removed).
4. Soap down the motorcycle starting with the delicate bits first (windshield, plastics, then down to rims and lower frame).
5. Spray off all the soap suds and residue.
6. Dry motorcycle with a clean cotton towel starting with the delicate bits (as noted above).
7. Run the motorcycle to allow the engine to heat up and dry off all the water hidden in the little nooks and crannies.
8. Take a photo (optional)
9. Go ride.
(10. If chain is dry/dirty, clean with a rag soaked in kerosene and lightly coat with a heavy gear oil (80 wt), or whatever lube you prefer).
The whole process now takes me about 1 hour (taking my time). If I'm cleaning my chain, add another 20 min to 1/2 hour.
Quickie clean on a dusty motorcycle:
A microfibre towel starting with the delicate bits (noted above).
1. Get a squeaky clean bucket, fill with suds and a clean sponge or rag. I have never had an issue with regular dish soap, but if you're worried, buy a specialty soap.
2. Park your motorcycle in the shade (the sun drys things too fast).
3. Spray down every inch of the motorcycle. The goal is to remove every trace of sand and other grit (grit/sand=sandpaper if not removed).
4. Soap down the motorcycle starting with the delicate bits first (windshield, plastics, then down to rims and lower frame).
5. Spray off all the soap suds and residue.
6. Dry motorcycle with a clean cotton towel starting with the delicate bits (as noted above).
7. Run the motorcycle to allow the engine to heat up and dry off all the water hidden in the little nooks and crannies.
8. Take a photo (optional)
9. Go ride.
(10. If chain is dry/dirty, clean with a rag soaked in kerosene and lightly coat with a heavy gear oil (80 wt), or whatever lube you prefer).
The whole process now takes me about 1 hour (taking my time). If I'm cleaning my chain, add another 20 min to 1/2 hour.
Quickie clean on a dusty motorcycle:
A microfibre towel starting with the delicate bits (noted above).
Derek Paisley
Well-known member
Self Serve Car Wash.
I use the power washer from a safe distance.
I dry out in the sun.
I use the power washer from a safe distance.
I dry out in the sun.
rmemedic
Well-known member
Don't use dish detergent, it will take away any protective wax you've put on the bike.
Don't be afraid of pressure washers... Just don't spray directly at seals from close distance or at electrical junctions.
Pressure wash the bike off.
If degreasing parts for a more detail clean, spray simple green on the oil contaminated places (motor, swingarm, wheels, brakes etc) and agitate with a soft but firm brush, rinse bike really well again.
Then with a quality wash mit and a big bucket of warm soapy water, start at the top of the bike and work down. This mitt is NOT used for wheels or areas you are likely to pick up dirt particles. This is a large factor as to why so many paint jobs have swirl marks. Dunk the mitt often to shake loose any dirt to avoid scratching clear coat.
Take a good plastic brush to the wheels. Again lots of dunking in the soapy water.
And then a good rinse. Done! Detail sprays, wax etc is a good idea every so often.
If cleaning my chain, I clean it, wash bike, then use WD-40 on the chain to get the water out of the chain, take it for a short rip to get it to work the water out (WD stands for water displacement) and then put on my chain lube on the warm chain.
Don't listen to any BS about WD-40 harming the o-rings in the chain. WILL NOT HAPPEN. I use WD-40 on the plastics of my MX bike to bring out the shine and it has never ever harmed any of my plastic or rubber pieces, including vinyl graphics or the adhesive on them. Also helps to prevent mud build up.
Plexus is also a great product.
The orange engine shine stuff at CT is amazing, black plastic parts on the engine, hoses, chain guard etc look brand new again!
Don't be afraid of pressure washers... Just don't spray directly at seals from close distance or at electrical junctions.
Pressure wash the bike off.
If degreasing parts for a more detail clean, spray simple green on the oil contaminated places (motor, swingarm, wheels, brakes etc) and agitate with a soft but firm brush, rinse bike really well again.
Then with a quality wash mit and a big bucket of warm soapy water, start at the top of the bike and work down. This mitt is NOT used for wheels or areas you are likely to pick up dirt particles. This is a large factor as to why so many paint jobs have swirl marks. Dunk the mitt often to shake loose any dirt to avoid scratching clear coat.
Take a good plastic brush to the wheels. Again lots of dunking in the soapy water.
And then a good rinse. Done! Detail sprays, wax etc is a good idea every so often.
If cleaning my chain, I clean it, wash bike, then use WD-40 on the chain to get the water out of the chain, take it for a short rip to get it to work the water out (WD stands for water displacement) and then put on my chain lube on the warm chain.
Don't listen to any BS about WD-40 harming the o-rings in the chain. WILL NOT HAPPEN. I use WD-40 on the plastics of my MX bike to bring out the shine and it has never ever harmed any of my plastic or rubber pieces, including vinyl graphics or the adhesive on them. Also helps to prevent mud build up.
Plexus is also a great product.
The orange engine shine stuff at CT is amazing, black plastic parts on the engine, hoses, chain guard etc look brand new again!
Just did that over lunch at St. Clair & Keele. Had to rush through it, but I thought I'd rinsed it long enough. Holy soap marks. #fail
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