Really REALLY Numpty question!

[Adam_P]

Sorry guys and gals if this should be in another part of the forum, but I could do with a little bit of advice. Please feel free to move thread or tell me where to go if I'm in the wrong place.

BUT... (and I said it was a numpty question!)

How should I go about cleaning my bike so as not to do anything 'untoward' to it?

I mean, I've heard stories about pressure washers taking paint off (not keen! ) and about certain products containing all sorts of things that might harm paintwork, engine covers etc.

So, any specific products I should/shouldn't use?
Obviously a scouring pad and a can of thinners is not on my list, but I've read elsewhere that washing up liquid (I use that in the bucket for the car ) can cause damage?

And should I be chamois leathering it dry, or go up the road and air ry it?!

See, told you it was a numpty question. But I'm new!

Thanks
Adam
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Colin McRae MBE 1968 - 2007 RIP
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
God is imaginary

[Laura]

Well I use washing up liquid a hosepipe and some old rags for mine. And then normal house polish.
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Good girls ride motorcycles bad girls thrash them.

[Major_Grooves]

I wouldn't use a pressume washer as it can take the paint off (ask Craig), and it can also force water into unwanted places such a wheel bearings. A hose at normal pressure should be fine. I use the bike spray stuff you will find in Halfords etc. The price of this stuff varies greatly depending on where you go. Other people use various other things (petrol?).

You shouldn't use washing up liquid to clean your car or bike as I think it contains salts which speed up corrosion.

I use those soap filled pan scourers to clean crap off the wheel rims. Chamois I sometimes use, so I can get the wax on.

HTH
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[MarJay]

Auto Glym Rocks,

This isn't spam its a genuine reccomendation. I use Autoglym Motorcycle degreaser first (it works on all surfaces and doesn't melt plastic like most other degreasers)

Then I rinse it and use Auto Glym motorcycle cleaner to get the rest of the muck off and sparkly clean, Rinse again, dry with a chamois then if I can be bothered I polish it.

Takes about ten minutes (both of the above come in spray cans and you don't really need to rub them in) and leaves my bike looking really nice, apart from the scratches I have on my tank.

Oh and if you do that, don't forget to re-lube the chain, sidestand pivot, and footpeg pivots. They take a battering from the degreaser.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Ste]

Pressure wash the worst of everything off, avoid pointing it at bearings and shocks etc. It won't take the paint off unless your paint is fucked anyway. Craigs "problems" with paint coming off on his wheels is a known problem with ZX6R;s, as Kawasaki are cheap and don't paint the wheels well.

Use a degreaser of some sort or another on tougher bits, then dry it up nicely.

Or just pay Danny £1 to wash it for you.

[Kris]

Well I usually use Car Shampoo mixed in a bucket with warm water and a big, clean sponge. Once clean, a good rinse with the bucket and a chamois dry. Once this is done I usually ride it or leave it to dry a bit before either T-cutting it or polishing it.

One tip though. Last summer I poured a bucket of water over the kwak Not a good idea because I had water in the carbs for ages.
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[G]

Foget the reason right now, but I believe you shouldn't use washing up liquid.

Warm soapy water is considered the best option as far as not damaging the paintwork etc I believe. (I did clean my bike, once, believe it or not, when I had a bike I cared about keeping clean . )

[Ste]

Washing up liquid has salt in it. Which is bad for bikes.

[Sparks!]

Wash it with wonderwheels bike shampoo, then clean off most of the dirt with rag/brush. Dry it all off, spray all metal with WD40, all palstics clean up nicely with AutoGlym instant show shine, then I use a spray called "armourall" on all the black plastics, tinted screen, seat, controls etc, it brings stuff up very new/shiney.

For anything tougher I use a cheap degreaser stuff and Wonderwheels bike cleaner (same as muccoff).

Every week or so I clean the swingarm etc with paraffin as it makes it shiney again but doesn't damage it.

Washing up liquid is baaaddd stuff appararntly.
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[Stew]

[jimbo]

Washing up liquid is only bad if it isn't rinsed off thoroughly. Given that salt is used on UK roads, the washing liquid is going to do less damage than driving to the shops in the rain...

Pressure washers are bad news at close range. But if you keep the spray nozzle about 4-6 feet away from the bike it turns into a nice gentle drizzle with good coverage. You can adjust the pressure by the distance from the bike. Always try and point the water downwards, as the electrics are well protected from water coming from above.

I go down to the hand wash machine at the garage and use the really soft brush thingy with the shampoo suds. This is free cos there's always tons of shampoo left in it, more than enough for the bike I put a bit on the fairing, work it in a bit more in the bad gack, and then spend twice as long rinsing it all off very gently and thoroughly with the pressure hose. Costs 1 euro and doesn't damage the fragile ecosystem of the back garden. (damages someone else's ecosystem )

[Adam_P]

Thanks.

I've only ridden it three times and I aim to keep it in the dry weather. But while out for a ride the other day I managed to find the only wet AND muddy section of road in the whole of Lincolnshire and i covered the entire bloody thing in chalky clay. Only a light smattering, but still need to get it off before things start to eat into metal and paintwork.

I have plenty of Autoglym bodywork poilish as I use that on the car. I gave it a tank/bodywork going over before I went out the other day and it all came up a treat.

I'll be going into my local bike shop later today and I'll see if they have anything on the shelf. I need to buy some chain lube anyway.

Just over 500 miles covered now. First service next week (If I can get it booked in and the weather stays dry ) and then I can start to open it up a bit.

Thanks again.
____________________
Colin McRae MBE 1968 - 2007 RIP
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
God is imaginary

[jay12329]

As you only ride in the dry i asume your bike didnt get caked in clay/mud on the A46 this morning.
Mine did, yellow is now mucky brown with yellow patches!
Just wating for it to cool off before i give it a good clean.
J