Motorcycle wash?

**vifferman** · 21st August 2009, 11:02

Originally Posted by Hiflyer

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** · 21st August 2009, 11:27

Originally Posted by Metalor

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?

**roadracingoldfart** · 21st August 2009, 11:45

Originally Posted by vifferman

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** · 21st August 2009, 12:25

Originally Posted by roadracingoldfart

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** · 21st August 2009, 12:32

Originally Posted by roadracingoldfart

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** · 21st August 2009, 16:24

Originally Posted by vifferman

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.

Is this the stuff? http://www.wurth.co.nz/site/media/pd...077_-_0078.pdf

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

**jetboy** · 21st August 2009, 16:44

Originally Posted by Owl

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** · 21st August 2009, 17:43

Originally Posted by Owl

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** · 21st August 2009, 17:52

Originally Posted by vifferman

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** · 21st August 2009, 18:44

Originally Posted by Hiflyer

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.

Originally Posted by klingon

OMG does that mean you never washed your Volty? Ever?

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

**vifferman** · 23rd August 2009, 20:41

Originally Posted by Owl

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

Is this the stuff? http://www.wurth.co.nz/site/media/pd...077_-_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** · 23rd August 2009, 20:50

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

**1wheel riot** · 23rd August 2009, 20:50

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** · 23rd August 2009, 22:11

Originally Posted by vifferman

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.