General bike cleaning

[placidfemme]

Well coming up to xmas and I'm thinking about all the hours I'm going to have to play on and with my bike :love:

I really want to strip the fairings off and give the engine area a good clean, there is a lot of grease (I think) all over the engine which makes cleaning it off a messy and time consuming task... also on parts of my engine is this white powder stuff, not rust, but similar I think...

In stead of sitting there for hours with toothbrushes scrubbing away... is there an easier way?

Is there anything that is safe to spray on the engine area (like a detergent or something...) that I can spray on, leave to sit for a while and then hose off?

If not what other suggestions do you have? (Please name the products, approx price if known and where abouts I can purchase them from). Also if anyone uses gloves (like medical gloves or kitchen gloves) while cleaning to keep thier hands clean, which type do you use? I don't mind getting dirty, but it sucks when you clean a certain part and then touch it again and its all greasy... cause your hands are dirty

Thanks

[crashe]

Awwwwwww get down and dirty with your baby......





With a toothbrush.










PS: Gee it takes me 5 hours to get my baby back up to looking beautiful again.

[Pwalo]

Well coming up to xmas and I'm thinking about all the hours I'm going to have to play on and with my bike :love:

I really want to strip the fairings off and give the engine area a good clean, there is a lot of grease (I think) all over the engine which makes cleaning it off a messy and time consuming task... also on parts of my engine is this white powder stuff, not rust, but similar I think...

In stead of sitting there for hours with toothbrushes scrubbing away... is there an easier way?

Is there anything that is safe to spray on the engine area (like a detergent or something...) that I can spray on, leave to sit for a while and then hose off?

If not what other suggestions do you have? (Please name the products, approx price if known and where abouts I can purchase them from). Also if anyone uses gloves (like medical gloves or kitchen gloves) while cleaning to keep thier hands clean, which type do you use? I don't mind getting dirty, but it sucks when you clean a certain part and then touch it again and its all greasy... cause your hands are dirty

Thanks

The white powder stuff is corrosion. You can brush it off and try polishing the cases with a metal polish suitable for alloys (Autosol). For the rest of your engine you could try Simple Green engine degreaser. Spray on, scrub any heavy crap if you need to, and spray off with a low pressure hose (keeping the water off your electrical bits!).

Kitchen gloves are handy, but probably not necessary if your using a spray cleaner and brush.

I'm sure everyone has their own secret cleaning methods so you should get plenty of advice.

Cheers

Paul

[placidfemme]

My problem thought crashe is that each time I clean my bike, between the Autosol and the grease I go through so many toothbrushes... I'm sure the lady at the $2 shop thinks I'm sending them to the children in africa with the amount I buy...

I can't find anything that cleans the grease and autosol off the toothbrushes, so when I clean certain parts the toothbrush needs to be thrown away, as well there being parts in the engine that I can see caked up with crap but can't reach it with the toothbrush and it annoys me lol

I'm just worried about picking the wrong cleaning fluid and damaging anything on the bike (like seals or anything)

[placidfemme]

The white powder stuff is corrosion. You can brush it off and try polishing the cases with a metal polish suitable for alloys (Autosol). For the rest of your engine you could try Simple Green engine degreaser. Spray on, scrub any heavy crap if you need to, and spray off with a low pressure hose (keeping the water off your electrical bits!).

Kitchen gloves are handy, but probably not necessary if your using a spray cleaner and brush.

Paul

Corrosion... doesn't sound good :(

Where can I buy Simple Green Engine Degreaser? And about how much does it cost (and how long would one bottle last me?).

Also I'm not too sure where all my electric parts are, I see a wire and it could be something stupid or un-needed or it could be important... and of course... what about the ones I can't see lol

[Drum]

You might want to try one of those rotary tools that they sell at Dick Smiths for between $20 and $40. Good for buffing small confined areas etc.

What are people using for polishing silvery engine bits - crank cover, valve cover etc?

[crashe]

My problem thought crashe is that each time I clean my bike, between the Autosol and the grease I go through so many toothbrushes... I'm sure the lady at the $2 shop thinks I'm sending them to the children in africa with the amount I buy...

I can't find anything that cleans the grease and autosol off the toothbrushes, so when I clean certain parts the toothbrush needs to be thrown away, as well there being parts in the engine that I can see caked up with crap but can't reach it with the toothbrush and it annoys me lol

I'm just worried about picking the wrong cleaning fluid and damaging anything on the bike (like seals or anything)

I use one toothbrush with the autosol chrome for that big clean..... then chuck it away... as by the time I do another big clean the stuff on the brush has gone all yukky.

I have a school paintingbrush (shhhhhhh dont ask how I got it) for any other work..... and that gets cleaned and reused over and over.

$2 shop toothbrushes..... I get about 5 in each packet so they last some time...

[dhunt]

Get engine degreaser - You can pay between about $3 to $12 for real expensive stuff. I normally get the $3 stuff from supercheap or the warehouse. Works really well.

[placidfemme]

Thanks for the tips so far :)

*adds more toothbrushes to my shopping list*

[DMNTD]

Get engine degreaser - You can pay between about $3 to $12 for real expensive stuff. I normally get the $3 stuff from supercheap or the warehouse.
Yep agreed....I also buy baby bottle brushes from the $2+ shop. Soft enough and good to get right into those bollix places.
Also recommend NOT being tight on buying your wax too. Ends up being cheaper buying a "better" brand as it's wax last longer on the bike and gives a better result from start.
Mothers is my brand of choice

[placidfemme]

Yep agreed....I also buy baby bottle brushes from the $2+ shop. Soft enough and good to get right into those bollix places.
Also recommend being tight on buying your wax too. Ends up being cheaper buying a "better" brand as it's wax last longer on the bike and gives a better result from start.
Mothers is my brand of choice

Sweet... I use Turtlewax on my bike... don't know if thats the best bet... but I've been using it for over a year now with no problems... can't even remember how much it cost

[centaurus]

I was thinking of cleaning my bike too, but I'm not worried about scrubbing the engine. It doesn't have any rust, so I was thinking of just spraying it with hot water to get rid of the dust/dirt (if any) and spraying it afterwards with CRC to keep if rust free in the future. Only the fairings will get cleaned properly (with car wash liquid).

Does anybody know if jetting the engine with water could be dangerous? (provided I cover the airbox, of course). Is there any place else water could get in the engine/gear box or other places it shouldn't go into? And also, has anybody used CRC on the engine before? Is it any good, or should I use something else?

[placidfemme]

I was thinking of cleaning my bike too, but I'm not worried about scrubbing the engine. It doesn't have any rust, so I was thinking of just spraying it with hot water to get rid of the dust/dirt (if any) and spraying it afterwards with CRC to keep if rust free in the future. Only the fairings will get cleaned properly (with car wash liquid).

Does anybody know if jetting the engine with water could be dangerous? (provided I cover the airbox, of course). Is there any place else water could get in the engine/gear box or other places it shouldn't go into? And also, has anybody used CRC on the engine before? Is it any good, or should I use something else?

ohhh very good point

*waits to hear the answers*

[MotoGirl]

I used to be a car groomer (back in the good old days!). I currently use a combination of Pacer and Autoshine products. Auto Shine Car Care Products is Hastings-based, and Pacer the sales rep. I deal with is John Anderson. He’s normally out and about on a Tuesday.

Polish
Depending on how good your paintwork is, you should use either a light polish for good paint or a heavier polish for dull paint. The heavy polish contains cutter, which will shine up your paint again – after you’ve used the heavy polish, you should apply a coat of the lighter one to give it that glossy look. The heavy polish is great for removing light surface scratches and any remains of bugs etc.
Pacer also have a polish called Plum Crazy, which is ideal for dark coloured paint. I use a light 'wet look' polish on my GSXR and it gives it that showroom shine and smells like peppermint!

Shiny metal bits
For anything chrome-like or even stainless, you can use glass cleaner. Pacer also have a glass cleaner paste, which you can use with a very fine metal scourer to polish up your chromey bits!

Lights
For your lights (headlight, tail light, indicators) you can use standard polish to bring 'em up nice and shiny.
Make you sure use a toothbrush to get any excess polish out of the cracks and imprinted numbers etc. While I'm on the toothbrush thing, you should also use this to remove any polish stuck around the edges of your decals - there's nothing worse than seeing a bike with half the polish still on it!

These products are relatively expensive, but a damn good investment if you want to keep your bike in good nick. Oh yeah, and I buy all my sponges etc from Super Cheap Auto (Meguire application pads are AWESOME for applying polish). Hope this helps!

[merv]

Hey babe I still swear by using just cheap old kerosene in the litre bottles from the supermarket and then put a bit in an open container and brush it on with a toothbrush. My toothbrushes last about 10 years cleaning so never a problem, then once you've done all the grease you need to get off just a light hose off with water and your bike will look like new.

Here's a few threads I've put up about this

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=23468

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=32851

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=23078

[vamr]

Hey babe I still swear by using just cheap old kerosene in the litre bottles from the supermarket and then put a bit in an open container and brush it on with a toothbrush. My toothbrushes last about 10 years cleaning so never a problem, then once you've done all the grease you need to get off just a light hose off with water and your bike will look like new.

Agreed, kerosene is definately the most effective, both in cost and result, solution, works wonders on the chain and the subsequent spray on the mag wheels.

[mikey62]

When I had the Virago always kept it clean so was never a big job. Now I have the ZZR with all its fairings etc a lot more is involved. Have been using Mothers cleaning liquid and HOT water then applying ArmourAll on just about everything. For the in between cleans (weekly/fortnightly) I use Windowlean.

[Pixie]

Hey babe I still swear by using just cheap old kerosene in the litre bottles from the supermarket and then put a bit in an open container and brush it on with a toothbrush. My toothbrushes last about 10 years cleaning so never a problem, then once you've done all the grease you need to get off just a light hose off with water and your bike will look like new.

Here's a few threads I've put up about this

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=23468

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=32851

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=23078

Yep Kero is the best.
A cheaper source can be the local engineer,who may have a bulk supply for his steam cleaner.

I also use nitrile rubber gloves - $ 12 / 100 from Nuplex fiberglass trade stores in avondale and penrose

[Motig]

Always spray my engine with CRC (Its a naked) Theres a bit a of a smell when you go for first ride after wards but soon dissappears, engine looks like new,esp if its black, and I'm sure it helps to make it easier removing gunge the next time. Done this on all the nakeds I've had. If your using brushes/toothbrushes with CRC or Kero just wash them out with clean kero and they should be OK for next time.

[placidfemme]

Always spray my engine with CRC (Its a naked) Theres a bit a of a smell when you go for first ride after wards but soon dissappears, engine looks like new,esp if its black, and I'm sure it helps to make it easier removing gunge the next time. Done this on all the nakeds I've had. If your using brushes/toothbrushes with CRC or Kero just wash them out with clean kero and they should be OK for next time.

lol the smell can't be as bad as when I cleaned my header pipes with Autosol and obviously didn't shine it all off... and when I started the bike up next and the pipes heated up there was smoke a plenty and a really bad smell lol I learnt my lesson...

[Steam]

Wait, um, can someone tell me why you'd clean a bike? Isn't dirty the new Black?

[placidfemme]

Wait, um, can someone tell me why you'd clean a bike? Isn't dirty the new Black?


lol cause I've got a whole week to myself where I can indulge in my bike...

[ManDownUnder]

WOW - here's my (detailed) bike wash regime

Bucket with soapy water... brush on 1/2 the bike... hose off
Brush on other 1/2... hose off.

Let it dry

Windolene onto mirrors and rear plate
Pledge onto all clear plastic bits

done

45 mins if I'm feeling really generous - normally 30 minutes.

30 mins every 6 months might sounds a little over the top but I really like my bike

[Harry the Barstard]

Autosole or window cleaner for metal and Kerro or simple green for greasy bits. Tooth brush a must. I would be wary about high pressure around all the electrics and carbs. Theres no quick fix m8 thats why we only do it now and then.
also can anyone tell me how to loose the l plate ride thingy. I feel its a bit of an insult now. Im not that bad.

[placidfemme]

45 mins if I'm feeling really generous - normally 30 minutes.

30 mins every 6 months might sounds a little over the top but I really like my bike

wow thats quick... I spend about 10 minutes cleaning the bike (didn't know what to use as "soapy" water, so I use dishwashing liquid LOL)...

Hose off (2 mins), Apply Turtlewax (15-20 minutes) leave to dry (15 minutes) polish off turtle wax (15 minutes). Apply autosol to pipe/pegs/mounting brackets/levers & other bits (30 minutes)

So all up about an hour and half... and thats Without going under the fairings... and without touching the chain/sprocket.

my only issue when I come to clean it these holidays is that i can't get the bike on the rear stand by myself :( so i'll see how that goes...

[ManDownUnder]

wow thats quick... I spend about 10 minutes cleaning the bike (didn't know what to use as "soapy" water, so I use dishwashing liquid LOL)...

Hose off (2 mins), Apply Turtlewax (15-20 minutes) leave to dry (15 minutes) polish off turtle wax (15 minutes). Apply autosol to pipe/pegs/mounting brackets/levers & other bits (30 minutes)

So all up about an hour and half... and thats Without going under the fairings... and without touching the chain/sprocket.

my only issue when I come to clean it these holidays is that i can't get the bike on the rear stand by myself :( so i'll see how that goes...

There is a technique to that, and it's easy once you have it.

Easier to show you than do though (I just tried typing it out... JESUS what a waste of time). Once you have it, it's yours for life.

MDU

[Harry the Barstard]

Another good bit of advise is if your bike is no spring chicken. When you take all your fairings off now would be a good time to replace fuel lines and hose clamps. Cheep as for the line $2.50 a meter and hose clamps are cheap as chips.
Have fun

[placidfemme]

Another good bit of advise is if your bike is no spring chicken. When you take all your fairings off now would be a good time to replace fuel lines and hose clamps. Cheep as for the line $2.50 a meter and hose clamps are cheap as chips.
Have fun

Um... I kinda sorta maybe... but possibly don't know what the fuel lines and hose clamps look like...

lol I'd be taking a guess... so I proberly won't do that just yet... I love tinkering with my bike and i'd clean it every weekend if Sam didn't bitch about it... So plenty of time to worry about that in the future :)