Cleaning your pride and joy..

[Lord Derosso]

I am currently using the HD " Sunwash Concentrate" which prevents hard water spotting. Thats the white crusty stuff you can see sometimes on unsuspecting owners bikes, and yes, it happened to me many years ago. It works well, then I follow up with S100 cleanser cream and CRC on exposed metals. I reckon the GSX seems to run smoother after a full clean and polish.. like as in purr. SO - What does everyone else do? Also does anyone paint their tyre markings white anymore, or is that uncool? I have seen all sorts of tyre products on TM like flashing lights etc but cant see how they could be legal due to restrictions on the colour of lights in certain areas of a motorcycle???

PS - whats the story re product naming? I see everyone promotes their bike brand so assuming its OK to say if you have had success with other products?

[.produKt]

Hmm well i DO like to have a clean bike, and i mean CLEAN.
The dust that collects under the pillion seat pisses me off even :sweatdrop.

So i bought myself a kit of hard and soft toothbrush like wire brushes and the engine gets a scrub then the brake disk's and calipers and other various things.

Then i rinse off the bike with my clean garden pressure sprayer which is a lot better than a tap as i quickly found out how to fill yer carbies with water when using a hose :(

And finally, hot soapy water (hot to get rid of road tar) and armourall washnwax , rinse dry with a towel then a chamois things (i dont think i've spelt it right :( )

Time + Effort = :first: :yes:

[Jamezo]

Soap, water, and perhaps a flannel... :spudflip:

Does a great number on the white crusty stuff.

[scumdog]

And finally, hot soapy water (hot to get rid of road tar) and armourall washnwax , rinse dry with a towel then a chamois things (i dont think i've spelt it right :( )

Time + Effort = :first: :yes:

Yep, you got 'chamois' correct, btw only real leather chamois are any good - the imitation synthetic ones are only as good as an old t-shirt.

I use a tar&bug remover rather than soapy water - it's kinder to your paintwork.

[NinjaBoy]

When you use your bike for commuting there is little point getting it spotless. I've just tried using Simple Green and a soft bristle brush.... it's magic. Just enough to get the majority of the dirt/tar/oil off and hose off with the garden sprayer. Then a dry off with the chamois

[2much]

I'm lazy and hate washing my bike, it's a waste of good riding time.

That's why I was so stoked to discover Prepsol (aka Wax & Grease Remover), it's the easiest (truly effortless) and safest way to remove Tar and similar stuck on shit.
If you don't use it, go to resene's or similar and get some now. You can thank me later.

[DEATH_INC.]

You mean you can clean these things?:spudwhat:

[Lord Derosso]

Funny! But I do get the point and its given me an idea about a thread I think will sort out the greenies from the cleanies as in cow poo. Though seriously, I keep the bike covered and it amazes me how much dirt collects on that over two weeks in the carport.

[Fishy]

Here is a bit of info....

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=22833&highlight=wet+wash

[Finn]

You guys must have some really bad rashes on your willies cleaning it with that shit. I clean my pride & joy with Johnsons baby soap. Smooooooth and it doesn't itch during the day.

[scumdog]

Funny! But I do get the point and its given me an idea about a thread I think will sort out the greenies from the cleanies as in cow poo. Though seriously, I keep the bike covered and it amazes me how much dirt collects on that over two weeks in the carport.

Not only that, as I keep my scoot in my gargre/workshop I cover it up with an old padded bedspread and a heavy curtain- provides lots of padding against those little 'oops' in the gargre - you know, like when an anvil drops of the high shelf and cannons off the fuel tank of the bike......:pinch:

[Lord Derosso]

Hate to think what it would cost to get work done on a HD tank...
I may never afford one but I appriecate art.
VERY VERY funny mister further up the thread. Johnsons baby oil indeed.

[Lord Derosso]

Sounds like that Ezibead could be good stuff. Has anyone used it since the Jan thread and can comment please ???

[frogfeaturesFZR]

I've found the 'Mothers" range to be good (but expensive )

[cowpoos]

I just push my bike out in the rain!!! and I don't give a shit anyway!!

[scumdog]

I just push my bike out in the rain!!! and I don't give a shit anyway!!

I find it less strenuous to RIDE my bike out in the rain!!

BTW Back on track, what keeps the matt crackle finish looking new on a bike engine? i.e. not real dull and grey, also how can you touch up worn or chipped areas?.

[What?]

... does anyone paint their tyre markings white anymore, or is that uncool? I have seen all sorts of tyre products on TM like flashing lights etc...
1/ VERY uncool
2/ If you are referring to the "pressure indicating valve caps", they have been discussed here before - those things have a reputation for causing rapid tyre deflation :gob:

[Titanium]

Wash mine after every ride, dirty or not...... just something I do.

Use palin old turtle wash and wax, and a large chux multi cloth, followed by a real chamoi(sp) and a mothers wax carnuba wax system afterwards.

WD40 to clean up the titanium exhaust, silicon cloth over the headlight to keep bugs from sticking to it.......


Sheeesh I need to get a life.............:gob: