Motorcycle wash?

[Metalor]

Ok you jokers. I am in need of your advice.

This is the VERY FIRST TIME I am gonna be cleaning my bike, so what should I use. I see that muc-off stuff in every bike shop so I take it it does the job?

The guys at Holeshot gave my bike a bit of a blast with this alkaline based washed and it reacted with the aluminium swingarm so has these white streaks on it now... reckon a bit of Autosol will get this off? I tried Meguiars metal polish but that didn't really help much.

I did have some meguiars car wash to use on me bike but my old flat mate used it all... oh, and the ex used it to wash MY car too :) Notice she is now an EX-girlfriend... maybe got sick of washing my car??




Also, is it a silly idea to use a waterblaster? Obviously not gonna do it right up close to blast the shit out of the clear coat but just a bit worried I may get water in the electrics or other places it's not supposed to go :P


What would you guys recommend?

[vifferman]

I dunno 'botu MUc-off, but I thought it was for dirt (or very dirty) bikes? I would wash it with ornery car wash, go easy with the water blaster (or better still, unless it's very muddy, don't use it but use a hose instead). It's easy for the waterbalster to force water into wheel bearings or the chain rollers, or into electrical bits.
If you are cleaning chain spooge or tar off the wheel rims or swingarm, it's better to use kero (or whatever) on a rag, rather than squirting it on, as if it gets on the tyres it will soak into the surface of the rubber. Then the first ride you have in the wet will be very exciting. By the same token, keep anything containing silicon away from the tyres.
Don't be tempted to clean the chain with degreaser! Always use kerosene.

[Metalor]

Cheers mate. Did the chain the other day, don't have a rearpaddock stand so jimmy'd one side of the swingarm up so the rear wheel could spin freely.

Used kerosene.... amazing the difference it makes. Chain looks brand new! Then a bit of chain wax one it's heated and wallah!

Hmmm.. might go and buy some el cheapo car wash then... just wanna get most of the road grime off all the heard to reach places.

[ManDownUnder]

I don't really know that much about the topic to be honest - but turtle wax and bucket with a brushy thing tends to do the business. And don't wash you chain, then your screen in that order... with the same brush...

I know - the wisdom is overwhelming... you can thank me later

[p.dath]

What sort of rims do you have?

Things like kero can strip paint if you have painted rims. If they are painted, try a bit on a cloth. If the cloth changes to the colour of the paint then stop using it. Otherwise it is probably fine.

I tend to use a mild car wash and wax these days. I've had bad experiences with chemicals in the past.
Avoid using waxes on your seat as well (makes it slippery to sit on!).

[grusomhat]

CRC will get off any oil or grime around the engine and I believe it's pretty safe on everything (
'cept tyres)

Otherwise a good wash with soap and then wax afterward should be enough.

Supercheap have cans of degreaser 4 for $10 but I don't know if it's any good. Anyone know? Wouldn't mine some myself.

[vifferman]

Things like kero can strip paint if you have painted rims.
What?
Mebbe if your rims are painted with house paint, or fence stain.
Real motorcycles have rims that are either powdercoated, or (more usually) painted with automotive lacquer.

CRC will get off any oil or grime around the engine and I believe it's pretty safe on everything (
'cept tyres)

CRC and WD40 are essentially mostly refined kerosene anyway.


Supercheap have cans of degreaser 4 for $10 but I don't know if it's any good. Anyone know? Wouldn't mine some myself.
Why would you need to use degreaser? :blink:
If you look after your chain properly, you won't have screeds of chain spooge needing removing, so unless your bike is leaking like a sieve, it shouldn't need degreasing.
The big problem with degreaser (apart from getting it into the inside of chain rollers, bearings, etc., is that when it's used it forms a lovely emulsion of soap, grunge and water. The surface of tyre tread tends to grab this emulsion and be relucatant to let go. It's easier to not get it on there in the first place than to have to try to remove it afterwards.

[sharky]

Plug the exhaust up with a rag (or you can splash out and buy a proper butt plug thingy) then wash same way as you would a car.

[StoneY]

Best wheel cleaner I seen yet- tar- chain goo- road dirt- barke pad dust- good old Mr Muscle Orange Citris in a bottle

DONT spary the back wheel on off chain side- spry ya rag (it strips ya chain lube too otherwise)

[jetboy]

I clean my bike after I work on it every time - to clean up the greasey shit my hands leave everywhere plus any spillages, drips etc.

I use Kerosene for the chain and sprockets - it works a treat - but I lube that sucker up straight away after cleaning.

I use BrakeKleen for the majority of degreasing (with fairings off) around the engine, wheels etc. It's bloody mint at removing the crap on your rear wheel like chain lube, which seems to attract all sorts of dirt. I wash the degreaser off ASAP after using to avoid paint fade/strip etc, and have had zero problems since.

Seriously I find BrakeKleen to be the best spray cleaner, I just spray and walk away....then hose off with water. Scrubbing is sometimes required for built up gunk as can be found in your chain sprocket housing etc.

I use normal car wash liquid for the wheels (incl tires incase I oversprayed brakekleen onto them) and fairings after I have cleaned everything else.

Then I polish anything metal like levers, foot pegs, swing arm, frame etc with metal polish or other polish.

Its a shame the bike is 20 years old otherwise she'd look mint!

[vifferman]

Best wheel cleaner I seen yet- good old Mr Muscle Orange Citris in a bottle
Worst cleaners so far:
Simple Green (next to useless, but because it's caustic it can make the paint and alloy streaky).
Some Wheel cleaner and protectant; it was supposed to be applied twice: the first time to clean the wheels, the second to leave a coating that protected them from brake dust and road spooge. In fact, all it did was leave a silicon (?) coating on my tyres that made them very slippery on even [I]damp roads. :blink:
Best wheel cleaner: Wurth Intensive Rim Cleaner. A pink, pleasant-smelling gel that needed little more than spraying on diluted, leaving for a wee while, and hosing off.



I find BrakeKleen to be the best spray cleaner
I found that Nulon brake cleaner (and presumably other brands too?) are great for removing chain spooge from new carpet after you've walked it inside on your bike boots. :o
Also removes coke spilled on carpet, stains from clothes, and .... hmmm... brake dust and road spooge from brakes, of all things. :laugh:
It's basically drycleaning fluid in an aerosol can - very useful stuff!

[jetboy]

I found that Nulon brake cleaner (and presumably other brands too?) are great for removing chain spooge from new carpet after you've walked it inside on your bike boots. :o

THANK YOU! I've tried everything to get the marks out of my carpet! Now I can stop blaming my flatmates for the dodgy black footprints in our lounge which are conveniently the same size as my shoes....

[Devil]

I found that Nulon brake cleaner (and presumably other brands too?) are great for removing chain spooge from new carpet after you've walked it inside on your bike boots.

Oh you've done that too huh!

Yeah, anything with Wurth on it is normally damn good shite.
Even their washer fluid.

[ckai]

truck wash.

Best shit to clean the bike with. Blast on blast off. Mr Miyagi NASA styles.

[Metalor]

Cheers guys! You guys are the mens!!

Now I just gotta buy some cleaning stuff :P

[StoneY]

II use Kerosene for the chain and sprockets - it works a treat - but I lube that sucker up straight away after cleaning.


Crude oil by product- o/x ring chains- big mistake mate-

And anyone saying 'kero is fine, but gasoline is not' .... wake up! same shit different method of brewing-

do NOT clean chains with petroleum products if you value ya o- or x- rings

:no:

[jetboy]

yeah I heard that kero damages o-rings...i assumed they were false. so will they be damaged even though i lubed up straight after?

[hospitalfood]

Ok you jokers. I am in need of your advice.

This is the VERY FIRST TIME I am gonna be cleaning my bike, so what should I use. I see that muc-off stuff in every bike shop so I take it it does the job?


What would you guys recommend?

wash world, take your 2 dollar coins. soap it, waterblast it, take a towel and dry it. then get it home and detail it, use silicon spray but keep it of the wheels and brakes

[Metalor]

wash world, take your 2 dollar coins. soap it, waterblast it, take a towel and dry it. then get it home and detail it, use silicon spray but keep it of the wheels and brakes

That's a good idea actually. Do they have stuff for doing wheels etc? It all ok to go on the engine?

[Chooky]

Yea... Turtle wax to wash bike... Kero for the chain.. and Pledge for the screen and your visor.
Wash it before you ride it, not after, dont put it away wet.:cool:

[vifferman]

Crude oil by product- o/x ring chains- big mistake mate-

And anyone saying 'kero is fine, but gasoline is not' .... wake up! same shit different method of brewing-

do NOT clean chains with petroleum products if you value ya o- or x- rings

:no:
Some data/evidence, please? If you're going to make statements like that, please back it up with something we can evaluate to see whether it's true, or just rumour/urban myth/complete and utter bullshit.

Here's some I gathered in a few seconds worth of searching:
RK Chain Company (http://www.rkexcelamerica.com/faq.html)
webBikeWorld (http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/)
Motorcyclist Online (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0506_motorcycle_chain_lube/index.html)
Yamaha R1 Forum (http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8987&highlight=WD-40+letter)
Sprt Rider Magazine (http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0208_geek/index.html)
eHow Magazine (http://www.ehow.com/how_4758683_clean-lubricate-motorcycle-chain.html)
The Ultimate Ducati Forum (http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=28137)
EK Motrcycle Chain (http://www.ekchain.com/install.htm)
Super Streetbike Magazine (http://www.superstreetbike.com/howtos/0810_sbkp_motorcycle_chain_maintenance/index.html)


And here's some hard data:
"Is WD-40 safe to use on your chain?

Yes, All motorcycle chains currently being manufactured use Buna-N (Nitrile) rubber for their o-rings and x-rings, and all these manufacturers recommend kerosene as a cleaner.

Here's the formulation of WD-40:

80% Stoddard Solvent (that is similar to kerosene)
20% light lubricating oil, and a bit of fragrance.

Here's the compatibility of Stoddard Solvent with rubbers and plastics:

Good Compatibility (OK for both static and dynamic seals)
Buna-N (Nitrile)
Chemraz
Epichlorohydrin
Fluorocarbon
Fluorosilicone
Kalrez
Nitrile, hydrogenated
Polyacrylate
Teflon, virgin

Mixed Compatibility (OK for static seals, but not for dynamic seals)
Neoprene
Vamac

Fair Compatibility (OK for some static seals)
Polysulfide
Polyurethane, millable

Poor Compatibility
Butyl
Ethylene-Propylene
Hypalon
Natural rubber
Silicone
Styrene Butadiene

Consequently, WD-40 is safe and effective as a chain cleaner and corrosion inhibitor."

Note that if WD40 is OK, then so is kerosene.
(Source: efunda (http://www.efunda.com/designstandards/oring/oring_chemical.cfm?SM=none&SC=Stoddard%20Solvent))

[Flip]

Well you have me stuffed. Why do you want to clean a chain.... Just throw some chain oil on it and if necessary wipe off the excess with a rag.
I just use car wash. Wet the bike then with warm water and a little wash start at the top and work down. I have a dirty old car wash brush for the grubby lower bits and a very nice soft Meguires (whatever) brush for the painted and clear bits. I then rinse and dry the bike with a soft towel.
Dont like the idea of washing any vehicle except my landrover with a pressure washer, bearings and electrics don't like water and the velocity damages paint and plastic finishes.

[JMemonic]

Do not I repeat do not use a product called CT18, although it is supposed to be suitable for motorcycle it seems to have an adverse affect on some rubbers, it messed up the seat and foot peg rubbers on my bike. Ok before some one says prove it, it was the only wash I used on the bike and the damage is clearly visible to all, there was no other reason for the damage that has occurred.

[puddytat]

Citrus based stuff is good for most gunge,never had a problem with marks on plastic or Aluminium....not to expensive either. But that Wurth stuff is the Bbizzo , only used it 'cause it was a prezzie as its a tad expensive.
Im with the petroleum product dudes when it comes to chains & associated spooge, I use diesel though, on a rag..
Pledge is yor friend & comes pleasantly scented,covers scratches nicely

[MyGSXF]

Do not I repeat do not use a product called CT18

I've used the same product with no problems.... :confused: & A in Wgtn uses it on all 30 odd of his bikes... are you talking bout the Duc.. or your old bike.. maybe the rubbers were perished/ing to have had that effect? :scratch:

[piston broke]

are you talking bout the Duc.. :scratch:

hey, a duc will handle anything,

oop's except water<_<

[JMemonic]

I've used the same product with no problems.... :confused: & A in Wgtn uses it on all 30 odd of his bikes... are you talking bout the Duc.. or your old bike.. maybe the rubbers were perished/ing to have had that effect? :scratch:

Its on the Duc, the rubber in the seat looks like to was hit with a blow torch, and the rubber in the foot pegs is breaking down, unless I had a bad batch it is strongly acidic in its actions (ok it could be alkaline but the action is acidic I have not tested it).

I am sure it was related to the wash there was noting else used on the bike.

[YellowDog]

When I got my new bike, I was amazed with how much focus was placed on "How to correctly clean your bike".

Doing it the right was for your bike is pretty important.

There some great info on products on here.

[vifferman]

Well you have me stuffed. Why do you want to clean a chain.... Just throw some chain oil on it and if necessary wipe off the excess with a rag.
In a sense, you're right. Some of the old lube will be removed by the new stuff, especially if it's an aerosol-type lube, because the carrier solvents will partly remobilise the chain spooge that's on there. (This is kind of what happens with automatic chain oilers, except the lube gets flung off, taking the dirt with it). However, with time you'll build up quite a layer of chain spooge, which will tend to gather grit, acting like a grinding paste. This is what you're removing.

[Hiflyer]

Yea... Turtle wax to wash bike... Kero for the chain.. and Pledge for the screen and your visor.
Wash it before you ride it, not after, dont put it away wet.:cool:


Probably the most useful post here!

So just some clarification, is Kero on a rag good for getting spooge etc of rims and swingarms??

[vifferman]

Probably the most useful post here!

So jsut sopme clarification, is Kero on a rag good for getting spooge etc of rims and swingarms??
Yes.
You can also use a brush or spray it on (CRC or WD-40 is good too), as long as it doesn't go on the tyres.

[klingon]

Ok you jokers. I am in need of your advice.

This is the VERY FIRST TIME I am gonna be cleaning my bike...



OMG does that mean you never washed your Volty? Ever? :shit: :no:

[roadracingoldfart]

Worst cleaners so far:
Simple Green (next to useless, but because it's caustic it can make the paint and alloy streaky).






I am surprised you say this about Simple Green.
Its a very natural product and was developed to assist in the clean up of birds and wildlife caught up in oil spills .
I use it widely and have never had any experiance of a caustic reaction. Why i make that point , all my children had very major hand surgery when they were very young and as they used to help dad in the garage they got a bit dirty , i cleaned there hands with Simple Green as it was one of the few products that actually got the crap of thier hands and was not likely to itch their scar tissue.

Can you clarify if you were meaning the original solution was useless or the new orange scented version which i agree is absolute crap at cleaning anything , least of all a dirty bike.

Paul.

[Owl]

I am surprised you say this about Simple Green.
Its a very natural product and was developed to assist in the clean up of birds and wildlife caught up in oil spills .

Hey Paul,

I know of a new Buell that was written off because the owner had cleaned it using Simple Green.

[vifferman]

I am surprised you say this about Simple Green.
I got a free sample of the green stuff from somewhere, and it seemed everyone on Mrkn forums raved about it, so I gave it a go. I figured if it was any good, I'd buy some as it was cheaper and easier to get hold of than the Wurth product.
I tried it out on cleaning my rear wheel rim and the swingarm, and it was less effective than anything heretofore used (including Sunlight liquid). So I left it on a bit longer, and it left white streaks on the swingarm surface. While it's only mildly caustic (pH is around 9.2, acording to the MSDS), the alloy didn't seem to like it.

As for being a "safe and natural product" - some of their products are actually derived from the petrochemical industry. I spoze ultimately all petrochemicals come from dinosaur spooge, so that's natural.

It's nothing personal. If I try something and it doesn't work, that's it - I'll try something else. So far I've tried lots of different things on the rear wheel rim to remove chain spooge and road spooge, and the only thing that's been really effective, easy and pleasant to use was the Wurth Intensive Rim/Wheel Cleaner. I'd still be using it if the shop that originally sold it to me was still selling it.

The two I'd definitely NEVER use again were engine degreaser (used in a hurried wash before a ride) which resulted in a massive slide at the end of the street, and whatever the crappy cleaner was that deposited silicon all over my tyre. It took a quick burnout and a long ride on some twisties to fix that.

[Owl]

So far I've tried lots of different things on the rear wheel rim to remove chain spooge and road spooge, and the only thing that's been really effective, easy and pleasant to use was the Wurth Intensive Rim/Wheel Cleaner. I'd still be using it if the shop that originally sold it to me was still selling it.

I'll be able to get hold of that Wurth product, so I might give it a try.:yes:

Is this the stuff? http://www.wurth.co.nz/site/media/pdf/maintenance_and_safety/A_06_0077_-_0078.pdf

I've just run out of "Mother's Wheel Mist" which is bloody good, but it is quite expensive.

[jetboy]

Hey Paul,

I know of a new Buell that was written off because the owner had cleaned it using Simple Green.
The Chuck Norris of dirt removal

[roadracingoldfart]

Hey Paul,

I know of a new Buell that was written off because the owner had cleaned it using Simple Green.


Not doubting you , but really ???

how? what happened?

[roadracingoldfart]

I got a free sample of the green stuff from somewhere, and it seemed everyone on Mrkn forums raved about it, so I gave it a go. I figured if it was any good, I'd buy some as it was cheaper and easier to get hold of than the Wurth product.
I tried it out on cleaning my rear wheel rim and the swingarm, and it was less effective than anything heretofore used (including Sunlight liquid). So I left it on a bit longer, and it left white streaks on the swingarm surface. While it's only mildly caustic (pH is around 9.2, acording to the MSDS), the alloy didn't seem to like it.




Its a product i used to sell and sold alot of it to alot of trades in large volumes at a time.
Aaron Slight commented on it in his book , "its the only thing that he took of value from Kosinski " when it was shared with him in the HRC team.
Kosinski was a cleaning adict.

I wonder if the white stains were caused by a reaction from another product / wax or whatever on the rims before the S.G was used.
I use it mainly for that horrid brake grime and i have powder coated orange rims on the race bike and its not even polyester. I also wash the house with it and never seen a flower cark it either , fark , the wife would kill me if a petal got damaged.

[Mully]

Probably the most useful post here!

So just some clarification, is Kero on a rag good for getting spooge etc of rims and swingarms??

Yep. Works real well.

For the chain, chuck the bike on a paddock stand.

I get some newspaper/cardboard to protect the ground and tyre. Then get a jar of kero, toothbrush and rag (to wipe the excess off).

Brush a small section of the chain (I usually do 3-4 links) with the toothbrush, then wipe off.

Once you're done, give the chain a lube and Bob's your uncle.


OMG does that mean you never washed your Volty? Ever? :shit: :no:

Well, that'd halve the value, wouldn't it?

[vifferman]

I'll be able to get hold of that Wurth product, so I might give it a try.:yes:

Is this the stuff? http://www.wurth.co.nz/site/media/pdf/maintenance_and_safety/A_06_0077_-_0078.pdf
Yes and no...
The name's the same, but the stuff I used came in a plastic jar, and was a gel. Mind you, it was a few years ago. I used it diluted anyway - put some of the gel in a spray bottle ith water, so the link must be the New! Improved!! diluted consumer version or summat...

[Foxzee]

Check out the post on Racing Forum "Bike Wash" that will do it...everything solved..no chemicals needed.....

[1wheel riot]

i just give my bike a wipe off with a rag be for and after i ride it and it stays nice and clean

[Owl]

Yes and no...
The name's the same, but the stuff I used came in a plastic jar, and was a gel. Mind you, it was a few years ago. I used it diluted anyway - put some of the gel in a spray bottle ith water, so the link must be the New! Improved!! diluted consumer version or summat...

Cheers vifferman! I'll ask about the gel next time the Wurth rep is at work.

[Metalor]

OMG does that mean you never washed your Volty? Ever? :shit: :no:

Haha, that's exactly right! If it needed a wash I'd just leave it in the rain :)

[Metalor]

I tried it out on cleaning my rear wheel rim and the swingarm, and it was less effective than anything heretofore used (including Sunlight liquid). So I left it on a bit longer, and it left white streaks on the swingarm surface. While it's only mildly caustic (pH is around 9.2, acording to the MSDS), the alloy didn't seem to like it.




Hey, what'd you use to get the white streaks off? My swingarm has this shit all over it now and I'm a bit concerned that I may not be able to get it off....

[YellowDog]

Hey Paul,

I know of a new Buell that was written off because the owner had cleaned it using Simple Green.
Does it affect other makes also?

:rofl:
:rofl:
:rofl:

[slofox]

Right then. If anybody ever does figure it all out, you can come and wash my bike for me and I will watch...( so as to learn how you unnerstand...). Good chance for you to practice your skills. AND I won't charge you a penny!!

[YellowDog]

Right then. If anybody ever does figure it all out, you can come and wash my bike for me and I will watch...( so as to learn how you unnerstand...). Good chance for you to practice your skills. AND I won't charge you a penny!!
So you like to watch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But seriously, I used to worry about the cleaning the chain issue. I understand that Kerosene is the stuff to use however always shyed away from the mess of using it.

I got myself one of those small compressors off Trademe and now just blast air through the chain onto news paper. It is really quite quick and it certainly looks clean.

BTW: I didn't buy the compressor just for the chain. It is great for cleaning those hard to get places (on the bike) and are loads of other uses. The pneumatic spanner is my favourite :)

[Flip]

So you like to watch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But seriously, I used to worry about the cleaning the chain issue. I understand that Kerosene is the stuff to use however always shyed away from the mess of using it.

I got myself one of those small compressors off Trademe and now just blast air through the chain onto news paper. It is really quite quick and it certainly looks clean.

BTW: I didn't buy the compressor just for the chain. It is great for cleaning those hard to get places (on the bike) and are loads of other uses. The pneumatic spanner is my favourite :)

Don't blow grime and water (past the o ring seals) and into the chain its not good for them.

[YellowDog]

Don't blow grime and water (past the o ring seals) and into the chain its not good for them.
I though I was blowing it off (if you pardon the phrase).

Is using compressed air a bad idea?

[vifferman]

Hey, what'd you use to get the white streaks off? My swingarm has this shit all over it now and I'm a bit concerned that I may not be able to get it off....
Hmmmm....
Hhmmmmmmm.....
I don't remember.
I might have crashed it into the side of an Audi, or that might've been for another reason.

Whatever; I wouldn't recommend it. :no:

[hospitalfood]

ok this thread is still going..........

what i do ( and i clean my bikes all the fucking time, almost more than i ride them, and i dont enjoy it ) :-

i wash the bike with soapy water to start with, if at home dishwashing liquid and warm water, if at washworld the soapy foam.
then i rinse it off, at home with the hose, at washworld with the waterblaster.

washworld is better, less labour and more pressure. dont blast water where it should not go.

then i dry it and get it in the garage.

then i get clean rags and wipe the remaining shit off it, really get in there, wheels the lot, everywhere. till it is spotless.

then i wax the bodywork with turtle wax. it is fine on my screens as well.

then i spray just about everything apart from the bodywork with silicon spray, or spray it on a rag and wipe it on. don't get it on the tyres or brakes.
2 coats is better than one, protects everything, makes it look new, means that the next layer of dirt and shit will wipe off easy.

i dont have chains but suggest wiping the shity oil off it with a clean rag and elbow grease ( no fluids ) then re oil with chain oil. you could use chain oil on the cleaning rag.

hope that helps.

[slofox]

If I had spare time enough to wash my bike, than I would use that time to...RIDE..it instead...

[YellowDog]

ok this thread is still going..........

what i do ( and i clean my bikes all the fucking time, almost more than i ride them, and i dont enjoy it ) :-

i wash the bike with soapy water to start with, if at home dishwashing liquid and warm water, if at washworld the soapy foam.
then i rinse it off, at home with the hose, at washworld with the waterblaster.

washworld is better, less labour and more pressure. dont blast water where it should not go.

then i dry it and get it in the garage.

then i get clean rags and wipe the remaining shit off it, really get in there, wheels the lot, everywhere. till it is spotless.

then i wax the bodywork with turtle wax. it is fine on my screens as well.

then i spray just about everything apart from the bodywork with silicon spray, or spray it on a rag and wipe it on. don't get it on the tyres or brakes.
2 coats is better than one, protects everything, makes it look new, means that the next layer of dirt and shit will wipe off easy.

i dont have chains but suggest wiping the shity oil off it with a clean rag and elbow grease ( no fluids ) then re oil with chain oil. you could use chain oil on the cleaning rag.

hope that helps.
Get the manufacturers guide on washing your bike.

My guide says NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use any kitchen products on any part of your bike. Dish washing liquid is a B I G no no.

[Mully]

My guide says NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use any kitchen products on any part of your bike. Dish washing liquid is a B I G no no.

I concur. Most household cleaners - inculding dishwashing liquid - will damage the paint finish.

Had to stop my sister from using shampoo to clean her car at one point.

Far better to get an actual "car" washing preparation.

[Moki]

Never use a waterblaster as this will force water into bearings and electrical connections. Autsol is and always will be the best. For the past 25 years, I've always just hosed the bike off first and then hand wash - yes bare hand -with mild washup liquid or car wash gel. Using your hand will be able to "feel" when the bike is clean and you'll be able to f.eel grit so you won't scratch. There's nothing wrong with using mild washup liquid -it's ok for cleaning grime and "organic" matter off the bike without damaging the paint - just give it a good rinse afterwards.

[Snails pace]

I don't think it is the water blaster that is the issue, but the guy on the end of it. I know of 3 bike shops that water blast the bikes. Was impressed with one as it had a massive blow drier to use afterwards. Have always water blasted my bikes for many a year, but never the electrics or bearing area. Too date no problems. I always give the engine a spray of CRC after a waterblast, smokes a bit next time I ride but keeps it squeeky clean.