Topic: Best Cleaning Methods

[trism18]

  Could anyone give some input on some good techniques for cleaning for bike?  I used some of that spray on cleaner from Honda, but I do not like the way it leaves some residue behind.  I was thinking about using some car soap and water then blowing off the bike with a small air compressor.  Thanks for the suggestions.

[Chris Liston]

Thats the best way.  A good auto wash and then blow the water off with a leaf blower.  follow with a nice wax and then ride

[bike54]

hi
and plenty of elbow grease
bike54

[Trevor from Warragul]

I use a cheap plastic spray bottle (the sort that can do a mist or a jet of water).  Fill it with hot water & a bit of detergent & use it after a ride to clean off dirt & oil.  This means you have to do a detailed clean less often.

[michaelkad]

The easiest method i have found, is not getting my bike dirty in the first place...

[Quail "Owner of the comfortable k8"]

That means you don't ride.  My bike (daily rider) by friday looks like I run off road.  Back rim is black and the whole bike is dirty

[Dennis]

That mean you don't ride. My bike (daily rider) by friday looks like I run off road. Back rim is black and the whole bike is dirty

Sometimes we must decide...
do you want to ride or have a clean bike?

I know what my decision is.....everytime!

[eldar]

The best cleaning method is to have someone else do it!

[kevinr]

i agree with you dennis 

i do, however, have some nasty black paint on the engine of my bike left by the first owner that i'd like to get off.  the second owner took most of it off but there's still some.  any good recommendations for removing paint?

-kevin

[TwoTired]

Depends on the paint, of course.  Chemical removal is a test in progression.  Water, alcohol, laquer thinner, acetone, etc.  Try on a small inconspicuous area first to determine if what you want to save is affected.

Or, you could use polishing compound, slightly abrasive, and elbow grease.

Cheers,

[techy5025]

then blow the water off with a leaf blower

Just a word of caution.   My leaf blower's exhaust exits with the air blaster tube.  As it is
a two cycle engine....lots of oil spray exits.  Wouldn't want to make the job harder. 

Jim

[Tim.]

Be careful choosing a detergent - read the bottles.  Lots of them specifically say 'not for motorcycles' or 'not for aluminum'.

SL100 is nice stuff but not cheap.

One of those car wash brushes that goes on the end of a hose often will fit nicely between the header and engine, allowing you to get the grime out of your fins.

I haven't washed my bike in about a month, and ride almost daily (1000 miles in the last 2 months).  It's still pretty clean as I've been avoiding rain till I get my new tires.  I'll probably wash it up this weekend - next week in Toronto is going to be perfect riding weather - low 20's as a high all week 

http://www.weather.ca/weather/cities/can/pages/CAON0696.htm

[michaelkad]

My post was of course tongue in cheek.. I ride my bike almost everyday, other than in winter or in driving rain. I stay out of puddles and off gravel roads when possible. So the amount of cleaning my bike requires is minimal, and takes me about 45 minutes to an hour each week. I completely detailed it when i first got it which took an enormous amount of time, but i enjoy that sort of thing. By the way if you want to clean the aluminium a product called Zephyr Pro40 works great, it removes oxidation and shines the metal almost as good as white rouge.