Topic: Cleaning bike - engine and fins...

[Colonel]

Experts,

What would your recommend to clean the engine block on the bike (cam cover, engine, cooling fins)?
I know some products can be corrosive and I do not want to learn the hard way and cry...

Cheers, Stephen

[Gordon]

Simple green and a soft plastic brush.  Most auto parts stores sell brushes for cleaning wheels that works great for our engine fins. 

If you have, or have access to, a steam shark (or other similar steam cleaner), it works great when used on an engine that's been pre-treated with Simple Green.

[Beans]

yea simple green works. or a good degreaser.   been trying to clean my motor too.  but a question I have it how do you clean a motor thats been sitting in a backyard for years that looks to be pitted with gunk?

[Alan F.]

Yup, a wheel brush will get everywhere you need to go.

[Alan F.]

yea simple green works. or a good degreaser.   been trying to clean my motor too.  but a question I have it how do you clean a motor thats been sitting in a backyard for years that looks to be pitted with gunk?

Pitted with gunk?  White powdery gunk?  That's aluminum oxide, it's how aluminum 'rusts'  a little water and some scotchbrite pads will slowly but surely bring it back, stay away from steel wool.

[Mdub]

Straight Kerosene/fuel oil/diesel  (or 'Gunk' brand cleaner-kerosene is the primary ingredient) is the cheapest, most effective solvent for grease. It melts grease like buttah! Be sure to use some hand lotion afterward as it really dries your skin out.
Then I like to use S100 cycle cleaner for that "squeeky" clean.
That stuff is awesome, it will make your carbs look like they have been dipped!
Make sure to rinse very thoroughly.

[wireman]

I used engine degreaser and then sprayed it down with hot water to get the heavy chunks off.  The took a gray scotch brite pad from auto parts store.  REALLY SUCKED but turned out very well in the end.

[Colonel]

Thanks for the quick answers...

To recap:

1- Simple green with brush or S100
2- Rinse a lot...

3- Go riding to dry it out