CLEAN ME!!

[Zed]

So how often do you clean your bike, and what cleaning method do you use?:sunny:

I must clean mine after every longish ride I go on, and generally once a week otherwise. I like clean.

Method: Hose bike with water, wash with a nylex carwash brush & a bucket of soapy water (use a 5ltr wash n' shine liquid that lasts me about a year), hose off bike, and lastly chamois dry! Takes me about 15-25mins to complete. Will give fairings and tank a wax if feeling extra energetic! :apumpin:

[edit:]I will clean my bike more thoroughly from time to time which can take me up to 2 hours. This includes a complete wax job and autosol metal polish makeover.

[James Deuce]

15 minutes isn't long enough to clean a bike properly. It takes me about two hours by the method you prescribe Zed.

[Mongoose]

15 minutes isn't long enough to clean a bike properly. It takes me about two hours by the method you prescribe Zed.


:no: Takes me about three hours just to shiney the shiney parts on the Guzzi. Actual wash I use VERY hot water and either soft brush or cloth

[Omega1]

Two Hours? Jeeez two hours and the Harley is cleaned and dryed....then theres all that chrome to polish.......

[vifferman]

I used to clean my bike about once every six months, otherwise I got hassled about "All the time you spend working on that thing". But in this new era of marital harmony, I clean it whenever I'm bored, or it's looking especially caked with road kill, bits of cars/pedestrians/cyclists/shrubbery that got in the way, or I'm worried that a Real Motorcyclist might see me riding such as execrable example of Mr Honda's deranged engineering.:crazy:

I use some proprietory Wash, Kill Crap, N Wax stuff, a brush, a hose, a chamois (actually slinky skin), a medium-sized tin of elbow grease, a smidgeon of knee spooj, and some GoToIt.
I should do it more oftener, but I don't have a driveway, and I get sick of all the comments from nosey passers-by, and live in fear of The Council arresting me for Wash, Kill Crap, N Waxing their roads, gutters and fish.

[James Deuce]

Two Hours? Jeeez two hours and the Harley is cleaned and dryed....then theres all that chrome to polish.......
I have white wheels to clean, and they are an utter bastard. I also have white frame rails and a largely exposed engine that catches a lot of crap.

I always do the basic maintenance jobs at the same time.

[Cajun]

Jim your bike isn't full faired its harder to clean motor than fairing dc:<

Since i got the bike new, in the first weekend it got i think 3 coats of polish(it was wet and was easter weekend, long weekend), From then it gets maybe a wash every two weeks or so, or after a long ride. Gets a polish maybe every 6 weeks after that time its done 1000kms as long as you keep fairing with a good polsih they are easy to keep clean same with rim, polish those every once and while make easyer to keep clean.

harder are things like exhust pipes, rear shock they need more than just a bush over with sponge to clean.

Also help the me and the wife both worked for professional vehcile groomers, wo know all the little secrets, and some of the best products for different things.

Every 6 months i total strip all fairings off bikes and wash and polish and check everything, other reason due to riding all weathers it gets really dirty in there.

Thats enough for me i think for now

[Cajun]

Two Hours? Jeeez two hours and the Harley is cleaned and dryed....then theres all that chrome to polish.......

To clean my father in laws old vn1500 with enough crome to sink a battleship to clean it 'correctly' and 'polish' all the crome, would take 6 hours

[vifferman]

I have white wheels to clean, and they are an utter bastard. I also have white frame rails and a largely exposed engine that catches a lot of crap.

I always do the basic maintenance jobs at the same time.When your wheels sadden you with their chippedness, strip the fookers! I did that on my white-wheeled VFR, and never regretted it. Not only did the stripped 'n polished alloy wheels look better, but they attracted a lot less road grime than the paint did (I think the plasticky paint actually attracts spooge). :cool:

[vifferman]

Also help the me and the wife both worked for professional vehcile groomers, wo know all the little secrets, and some of the best products for different things. Thats enough for me i think for nowOh no it's not!! Tell us about wheel cleaners!
I used a product called Wurth Intensive Rim Cleaner till it ran out, and it was VERY good, but freakin expensive.

[Mongoose]

Two Hours? Jeeez two hours and the Harley is cleaned and dryed....then theres all that chrome to polish.......

Alloy Allloy and more Alloy, start with the rims and works it way up the bike

[James Deuce]

When your wheels sadden you with their chippedness, strip the fookers! I did that on my white-wheeled VFR, and never regretted it. Not only did the stripped 'n polished alloy wheels look better, but they attracted a lot less road grime than the paint did (I think the plasticky paint actually attracts spooge). :cool:I'd love to - How much and who did it?

[Cajun]

Oh no it's not!! Tell us about wheel cleaners!
I used a product called Wurth Intensive Rim Cleaner till it ran out, and it was VERY good, but freakin expensive.


i personally use kero or a product we call wax/grease, and then a good coat of polish, but if you got white wheels there if no fucken hope for you, polish them, paint them or just suffer

[vifferman]

I'd love to - How much and who did it?About $25.
Me. :2thumbsup

[dhunt]

I generally clean mine every week or two. It really depends on the weather how often it gets cleaned. Fine weather means it doesn't get as dirty. It generally takes me a couple hours to clean everything.

David

[James Deuce]

About $25.
Me. :2thumbsup
PM Address. Wheels on the way.

[jrandom]

What is this 'clean'?

[claire]

I live with the bike cleaning standards authority so I clean my bike everytime it is deemed unclean. Which is probably why my bike looks like a new one still since I inherited it from him. We have all sorts of products etc that are used to keep the bikes in pristine condition and Chris can spend hours in the garage to give his bike that off the showroom floor look.

I have been known to yell across the garage that I would never have gotton my own bike if I'd known they were such pricks of things to clean.

Claire

[gav]

White wheels......yeah, how i use to hate trying to keep them clean, but if you didnt they looked terrible, had a NZ new VFR400R Pro Arm (paid $10000 for it back then) looked absolutely gorgeous, but those wheels....also had a white 86 VFR750 ..... really love the black wheels on my CBR600 :niceone:

[Cajun]

I live with the bike cleaning standards authority so I clean my bike everytime it is deemed unclean. Which is probably why my bike looks like a new one still since I inherited it from him. We have all sorts of products etc that are used to keep the bikes in pristine condition and Chris can spend hours in the garage to give his bike that off the showroom floor look.

I have been known to yell across the garage that I would never have gotton my own bike if I'd known they were such pricks of things to clean.

Claire

hahahah my wife says that some times, hates the chain lube going over rear tire, or over her nicely cleaned swing arm

[Motu]

My bike's filthy -I hardly ever clean it,I'm not a fussy kind of guy - but about once a week I remove the engine,wheels and forks and clean the frame with a good detergent using a toothbrush to get into all the nooks and crannies,sometimes I repaint the frame and put on new stickers for tyre pressues and stuff.Then I demount the tyres and scrubb them clean,I take every spoke out of the wheels and give them a good clean,I kinda like that stroking up and down you do.I remove the barrel and head and wipe clean the crankcase - you must use a special rag for this,I have my own supply that the wife isn't allowd to use for dirty things like dishes.Then I will put the forks back on and refit the engine...then I just stand back and look at my gleaming pride and joy....next I gotta go to the laundry and change my pants,cause...um...I just wet them.

Bikes are to use,often,hard,they get dirty,I get dirty,tough shit - if they can't take the treatment I hand out they don't belong in my care.

[Yokai]

I haven't cleaned my bike since I bought it :killingme:

But I think I will be doing it about once every 2 weeks. THat way I can do the cage at the same time...

C

[Zed]

...Which is probably why my bike looks like a new one still...
Same with mine claire, one of the main reasons why I clean it so regularly!

[Zed]

15 minutes isn't long enough to clean a bike properly. It takes me about two hours by the method you prescribe Zed.
Define "properly"? :Pokey:

I completely scrub mine down with the brush and completely dry it off with the chamois. The rims get done too! I've got a good routine going so I get it done quickly. If I wax it and go over it with a fine tooth comb it will take me an extra hour or so...but I don't find it necessary to do that every week.

[bondagebunny]

Bunny's Back

[StoneChucker]

Takes me about 4 hours.

First thing is cleaning the chain and sprockets, with a toothbrush and Kerosene (advised to do so at two maintanance courses, and the bikes manual) and any brake dust of the wheel rims.
I hose off the bike, then spray on a diluted mixture of CT-18 (Great all purpose cleaning chemical, removes dirt/grime/oil) and leave that for 10 or 15 mins. Then I hose off again, followed by a soft cotton cloth and bucket of water and CT-18 mixture over everything. Hose of one last time, and chamois dry. Then dry with air compressor to get water out of screws, nooks and crannies. I then Wax all the fairings with a carnuba wax, use Silicone spray on everything else, Polish the windscreen (and my helmet visor) with Pledge furniture polish. I also spray certain moving parts and electrical switches with CRC.

Finally, re-lube the chain with Chain-wax, preferably when the chain is slightly warm. Kiss her goodnight, and turn out the light.

[White trash]

I'll tell you what, Jimbo750 probably had the best cared for bike of anyone here.

Fucken amazing!

[jrandom]

I'll tell you what, Jimbo750 probably had the best cared for bike of anyone here.

Fucken amazing!

So, did he keep the un-bent footpeg as memorabilia, just so he could rub cutlery polish on it every night and remember how it felt?

[dveus]

Quick question: What if anything do you guys use on the vinyl(or whatever it is) seat?

[James Deuce]

Define "properly"? :Pokey:

I completely scrub mine down with the brush and completely dry it off with the chamois. The rims get done too! I've got a good routine going so I get it done quickly. If I wax it and go over it with a fine tooth comb it will take me an extra hour or so...but I don't find it necessary to do that every week.

Sorry Zed, no offence intended :)

[Mongoose]

Quick question: What if anything do you guys use on the vinyl(or whatever it is) seat?

A damp cloth and dry it, any shiney making product also tends to be a slippery making product :killingme

[dveus]

A damp cloth and dry it, any shiney making product also tends to be a slippery making product :killingme

Though that'd be the go. Was worried about the whole slippery seat thing.

[Jackrat]

I clean mine heaps but never get it all done.
It's a road dirt atractomatic.
I use old rags an sometimes a bit of autosol.
I tend to do one bit one day and another the next time, an try not to look under it to often.
Never bloody ends.

[Blakamin]

I clean mine ...but never paint a bike in yellow pearl, it sucks!
i cleaned it today when i had the fairings off to do the forks... ran them under the hose...
please dont use silicon if you ever want anything painted!

[Shade]

Ok, im about to let you all in on the best ever product I have found....

I have red rims, and they get dirty with the worst road grime ever. I tried everything from simple green degreaser, and other degreasers. Nothing would work , I would scrub and scrub and all it would do is smear the grease over my rims. Then I would sadly watch a trail of red water being hosed away down the drain.

GO AND BUY A PRODUCT CALLED DISOLVIT

Man this stuff is awesome!!!! It doesnt take off the paint, or anything, only a couple of sprays onto the rim and ONE wipe, and boom. ALL GONE!!

Ive been using it on my rims for a while now, and even use it on my lower fairings to take off the dirt, its so good, and nothing has been damaged.

It is usually sold in supermarkets or in Mite10. I personally have seen it at the Dominion rd Foodtown and Dominion rd Mitre10. Will cost about 8 bucks and lasts forever!!!

Comes in a clear bottle with a picture of a orange man on the front. It says "Sticky spot remover", but dont be deceived, its awesome. I was sceptical at first too, but this stuff is so good im amazed!!

*sorry rambling, just love the stuff and wanna spred the word!*

[Posh Tourer :P]

A nekkid bike takes longer to clean...... The beemer longer than most because of them bloody great pots out the side.... and various other hard to get to pieces. Also, I ride every day, rain or shine, commuting, which kinda doesn't help the situation...

I use warehouse Engine Degreaser, works very well, just watch it on paint. You may have to scrape off the worst of caked on grime, but the rest disappears very fast. It needs to be scrubbed on though

[Grumpy]

The 14 can be a bit of a bugger to clean but I have found that the more regulary the clean, the less time required each time.
I used to do my chain every wash but found that I got a lot less km's out of it so this bike only gets the chain done when it starts to look crappy, although that job is a lot easier with a Scottoiler fitted.
I only use a little kero for the scummy bits, wash and wax for the shiney bits and Motowash for the engine bits and she looks the bees knees :2thumbsup

[Nutter34]

I wash my bikes depending on frequency and conditions of/when riding, usually with warm water and Handy Andy.
Some times all the chain lube doesn't come off the rear wheel, I try Mr Sheen. It tends to break up the lube.
I use Autosolve on the metal/ally bits.
I then Mr Sheen the tanks/cosmetics.
Also, Contact Cleaner is good for that double-sided tape they use for balance weights.......

[Posh Tourer :P]

The 14 can be a bit of a bugger to clean but I have found that the more regulary the clean, the less time required each time.

Yes but you are probably spending more time overall in cleaning it

[Zed]

Yes but you are probably spending more time overall in cleaning itNot really. I agree with Grumpy that the more often you clean the bike the less time you spend on it each clean - the dirtier the bike is the longer it takes to clean! I find if I leave off cleaning my bike for a couple of weeks it will take me twice if not three times longer to clean than normal because there is more coverage of grime on the surface and it takes a lot more time and energy to clean it off! :crazy:

[Magua]

I haven't cleaned my FZR since I bought it two weeks ago. It is a fucking mess, but well......dunno. I keep finding excuses not to do it. I might do it tommorow, time will tell.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Not really. I agree with Grumpy that the more often you clean the bike the less time you spend on it each clean - the dirtier the bike is the longer it takes to clean! I find if I leave off cleaning my bike for a couple of weeks it will take me twice if not three times longer to clean than normal because there is more coverage of grime on the surface and it takes a lot more time and energy to clean it off! :crazy:

Yes, it is easier to get the dirt off. But you lose on "overheads"....
More coverage? Dont you wash the entire bike anyway, hence coverage shouldn't matter, but stickiness should?

[HDSpringer]

I am with you there David, to get my bike cleaned after a ride takes a while, and then before I leave home on the next ride it has another little dust over, with a quick layer of simoniz on the tanks and front forks. Most cleans take 3 hours depending on the ride, after the cold Kiwi it took me at least 3 hours to wash, then it was time dry and applying the simoniz and autosol.

[Zed]

I haven't cleaned my FZR since I bought it two weeks ago. It is a fucking mess, but well......dunno. I keep finding excuses not to do it. I might do it tommorow, time will tell.
I guess if you own a pig of a bike (no offence Magua) it will be less important to clean it than one which is in showroom condition that you'd like to keep that way! :not:

If you pay good money ($5000+) for a bike and then don't clean it regularly, don't expect to get your money back on it when you decide to sell!

[Posh Tourer :P]

I guess if you own a pig of a bike (no offence Magua) it will be less important to clean it than one which is in showroom condition that you'd like to keep that way! :not:

If you pay good money ($5000+) for a bike and then don't clean it regularly, don't expect to get your money back on it when you decide to sell!

good point...... It never ceases to surprise me that most people will not clean their cars/bikes/boats/washing machines before they sell them. IMHO, giving a car/bike a good clean before you sell it, can put 10% onto the selling price....

[Zed]

...More coverage? Dont you wash the entire bike anyway, hence coverage shouldn't matter, but stickiness should?
Yes I wash the entire bike, and I have noticed that the grime gets thicker and harder the longer you leave it unwashed. More filth will accumulate and the more area it will cover, reaching into those hard to get places that take ages to clean! :pinch:

[Zed]

...IMHO, giving a car/bike a good clean before you sell it, can put 10% onto the selling price....
Yes, but the 'beware buyer' can spot the difference between a vehicle which is kept clean regularly and one that is just cleaned for the purpose of selling it! ...just imagine a buyer keen on your car and lifting up the front floor mat and saying "what's all of this rubbish swept under the carpet here?" :thud:

[Posh Tourer :P]

Yes, but the 'beware buyer' can spot the difference between a vehicle which is kept clean regularly and one that is just cleaned for the purpose of selling it! ...just imagine a buyer keen on your car and lifting up the front floor mat and saying "what's all of this rubbish swept under the carpet here?" :thud:

Well, ya clean it properly then huh!

But yes, I agree with your point too. Though it should be the "a" ware buyer, not the "b" ware buyer.

Some would argue, infact, that a "b" level buyer would be less "a" ware than an "a" level buyer...

[Madmax]

on the XZ10R i have not been out in the rain to much
(bad for the health ETC) so it stays quite clean
still clean it every 2 weeks though

[Magua]

[color=navy]I guess if you own a pig of a bike (no offence Magua) it will be less important to clean it than one which is in showroom condition that you'd like to keep that way! :not

I kept my Gn125 in awesome condition, cleaned it often enough. But my new bike looks like shit as it is. It's kept under cover everynight but cleaning isn't right up there on my list of things to do as It will get dirty again soon as I attempt to service it in my garage it.

[2_SL0]

I am generally fanatical about keeping my past bikes clean. My dirt bikes always looked like they had never been on dirt. The mighty FZR250 I dont think Ill be to fussy about.

[Zed]

on the XZ10R i have not been out in the rain to much
(bad for the health ETC) so it stays quite clean
still clean it every 2 weeks though
Is your ZX-10 green? If so, do you commute on the Nth Western M'way in the mornings? I've admired one regularly along that route.

[Madmax]

No a black one
normaly use the southwestern
to work (no fun when there is fog)

[Sonykid]

A damp cloth and dry it, any shiney making product also tends to be a slippery making product :killingme

In my experience it is best not to use any silicone based type vinyl or plastic treatments such as CRC, the old advertising line of "Cleans shines and protects" should read "disguises dirt, make slippery and eventually buggers the surface on to which it is sprayed".
Vehicle detailers and groomers use Natural Wax bases products such as Bees Wax to protect and restore these's surfaces, the finish is not as instantly gratifying as CRC but it really does protect the surface and "feed" the material. It is also not that slippery.

[ALTRON]

I have to clean my Nc30's white wheels regularly. Even though the rest of the bike isn't dirty my wheels always are :S especially after rain

[NC]

I think it takes me about 3 hours to clean the NC30 from top to bottom...

MMMM caked on road dirt..

[badlieutenant]

for all vfr owners can FS please tell us how he removed pesky white paint from wheels? Ive given up cleaning the rest of the bike, cause no matter how clean it is the wheels are nearly impossible to get as clean. Id rather ride it than clean it, :moon:

oh and hi to sonykid and his first post :D

[Sonykid]

oh and hi to sonykid and his first post :D[/QUOTE]

Thanks Badlieutenant. 1st of many hopefully.
:)

[Coyote]

In my experience it is best not to use any silicone based type vinyl or plastic treatments such as CRC, the old advertising line of "Cleans shines and protects" should read "disguises dirt, make slippery and eventually buggers the surface on to which it is sprayed".
Vehicle detailers and groomers use Natural Wax bases products such as Bees Wax to protect and restore these's surfaces, the finish is not as instantly gratifying as CRC but it really does protect the surface and "feed" the material. It is also not that slippery.
Thanks for the advice, we use tonnes of that CRC stuff, allthough how expensive is Bees wax?

[Storm]

All this talk of cleaning is making me fel guilty. I might even have to go and , *draws a deep breath* clean it properly :mellow: I suppose I did know cleaning was going to feature largely in bike maintenance when I bought a white bike !! :argh:

[Sonykid]

Thanks for the advice, we use tonnes of that CRC stuff, allthough how expensive is Bees wax?

The Bees wax or I use a product called "Emu Oil", comes in a 500g pottle, it is applied with a sponge and wiped off with a cloth.
Prices range from $10 - $30 a pottle, I buy the $30 stuff but the $10 stuff is just as good (just does not smell as nice for use inside cars), I buy mine from a trade automotive paint supplier but should be available at Ripco etc.
The product lasts for ages on the surface and needs very little to apply so it should be heaps cheaper than the CRC overall.

[ALTRON]

The rear wheel can get pretty bad if not cleaned for a long time. Chain lube fly's out and sticks to the rim mixing in with brake pad dust.. yuck. I use degreaser to get that junk off, works well.

[Bonez]

I tend to use comon household products such as Neopol, Ataway, stainless steel scouring pads, dishwash liquid(in warm water), a stiff brush, toothbush(and sometimes tooth paste), rags-cotten-old, nugget, a hose that isn't too high pressure(gotta watch the bearings electrics ;) and deisol(cheaper than kero) for cleaning purposes.

[Aleph]

Have you asked what you are cleaning it for? Where could you spend that time, or with who? I agree that some will get a sort of spiritual or meditative effect from the task but most are cleaning for the wrong reasons.
Long live the dirty bike that goes when and where you want it to.

[badlieutenant]

Have you asked what you are cleaning it for? Where could you spend that time, or with who? I agree that some will get a sort of spiritual or meditative effect from the task but most are cleaning for the wrong reasons.
Long live the dirty bike that goes when and where you want it to.
AMEN to that :D

[Kickaha]

When I had a bike worth cleaning it used to get the odd quick going over and once a year I'd just pay someone to groom it.

I got better things to do than spend hours cleaning bikes,maintain it yes,clean it no!

[MotoGirl]

My VTR is kept immaculately clean, and gets cleaned everytime I go for a decent ride, or as soon as a coat of dust settles on the paint. I can easily spend 3 hours cleaning my bike and I have very little fairing!
I use car-grooming products from Pacer.
- Wash and wax with a foam sponge to wash
- Wet-look polish - the round Maguires applicator pads are brilliant for applying polish.
- Vucaniser for the black bits. E.g. round the numberplate and chainguard
- Glass cleaner paste with fine steel-wool for anything chrome or stainless.
You can use a toothbrush to get polish out from around the edges of your decals and any gaps - they look horrid when white polish drys.

[FROSTY]

I made the huge mistake of trying to clean the Diesel soot off of mella yella after the taupo races--Stupidest thing I could think of.
Now he looks permanently dirty. -
Anyhoo my pits bitch is sposed to clean em --CHRISSSSSSS :yeah:

[badlieutenant]

that orange stuff they gave to most auck households doenst work too badly on the rims. :whocares:
Could be time for frosty to steal this thread, hes bored and scanning for a something he can corrupt.
:msn-wink:

[soundbeltfarm]

When your wheels sadden you with their chippedness, strip the fookers! I did that on my white-wheeled VFR, and never regretted it. Not only did the stripped 'n polished alloy wheels look better, but they attracted a lot less road grime than the paint did (I think the plasticky paint actually attracts spooge). :cool:



whats the cost to get your rims stripped and polished.