General bike cleaning

[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/sh...ad.php?t=23468

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

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.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