Winter bike cleaning discovery

[Serendipity]

One thing that I hate most about bike cleaning in winter is how fucking cold my hands get, especially if it’s windy. I hate cleaning the bike anyway, but this really puts me off in cold weather, just when it needs it the most.

Anyway, I was washing the bike down on Friday night and my hands were so cold I could barely move them. I went inside to see if I could find some Marigolds or something. Anything to keep the wind chill off while I was splashing buckets of cold water about. I couldn’t find any rubber gloves, but had a sudden brainwave while I was trying to think of an alternative...

Wetsuit gloves.

I’ve got some 3mm neoprene gloves that I use when I’m snorkelling in British waters. So I grabbed them from a cupboard, put ‘em on and went back outside. Amazingly successful. Warm hands and got the job done quickly.

They were so comfortable I went on and cleaned the car as well.

Note that I was only using clean tap water. I wouldn’t want to wreck the gloves with any sort of cleaning fluids. The gloves aren’t very flexible and “feel” is terrible, but for handling a big sponge they were more than adequate.

Mine cost under £20 from a dive shop, so probably even cheaper on the net. Stocking filler anyone?
____________________
2007 CBF1000 & 2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[MattEMulsion]

I always use warm water when washing my bike/car and with proper car shampoo stuff in too. They say that in winter warm water makes the salt react but I've never had any trouble. Besides I only wash my car in winter (my bike isn't used once the salt is down) and it doesn't do my car any harm.
____________________
Yamaha YZF-R6

[craigs23]

[doggone]

Neoprene gloves can be had from the likes of gunshops with (probably) more feel in the fingers; always quite fancied a pair for cold wet weather but they are a bit pricey at £25 or so.

[Serendipity]

[pyx_e]

My winter cleaning discovery is ACF 50. Once you put it on you are not allowed to clean your bike again=result.
____________________
Shiney!
Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.

[craigs23]

[tutton]

At the wet suit gloves, you cant patent it.
its already been done, my current gloves are bike ones from a motorbike shop, and wet suit type quite warm till 40mph, and waterproof.
____________________
Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[Reppyboyo]

[giarc]

I also use a lambswool mitt thing. But don't put my hand inside, just hold it on the outside like a normal sponge. I've waxed the paintwork to keep it clean, but need to invest in something like FS365 for the below bits!

[pyx_e]

[bikedemon99]

This time of the year Im washing my bike all the time and yep you guessed it, I use warm soapy water then rinse with cold water spray from a hose and then when its dry I wd40 it all, simple and my hands feel soft and gentle
____________________
Ride safe

[thefallenange...]

do people just give the brake calipers a clean out too?

I figure for 20 minutes work it's worth it as they seem to just go white all the time. I bet they're white and the bikes done 20 miles since it's last wash.
____________________
Past - CG125 ,KR1S, SV650s, Street Triple R - Current - Duke 390

[email protected]

[colin1]

another vote for warm water rather than buying more clutter
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[bigwill]

im one for ACF50, just cake the bike in it.... then give it a rinse down everyday after being out!
____________________
2006 Yamaha FZ1 - the comfy R1

[magpiemale]

I do not use the bike when it is salted roads and ice but on a fair winter day I still ride.I have been meaning to get acf50 but as jet have not done so.
So for my cleaning I clean the bike once in a while maybe once a month and use the freebie I got from hein gericke, scottoiler's anti corrosion spray so far it is okay.But I quess if you clean the bike to much you will wash off the valuble oils it has on to protect it (when first bought) plus all that chain oil may look like an eye sore splattered all over the swingarm but it is protecting the bike from the elements.
I guess if you ride while the salt is on the road a wash more often is going to help but dont been over keen esp if you already spray the bike with anti corrosion spray.
____________________
NSR125 1992 (sold) kawasaki Z750S,fazer FZ1 07 now gone present bike 2012 fz1s Fazer,beowulf rad protector,heated grips,sw motech gps holder,power socket.

[Chrispy]

Bought some aerosol ACF50 a few weeks ago and gave the bike a spray - since, I've been riding regularly unless it's been frosty.

After each ride I've cleaned the bike down with hose/plenty of cold water, then shammied off before sticking it back in the garage - at the weekend, I've washed down with carplan wash n wax in warm water and rinsed with cold water hose - meaning to give it another spray with the ACF50 as a top-up.

Hands have been b*stard cold sometimes but just got on with it - labour of love really.

BTW, does anyone run their engine for a few mins before sticking in the garage in the hope the residual heat from the engine will help any damp areas on bike evaporate (i.e lingering damp = rust)?
____________________
Then - Hyosung GV125C Aquila; Kawasaki ER-6F; GSXR 600 K8; Street Triple Mk2; Now - ZX6R
"Viene la tormenta!"

[Mr Hammers]

[Feasty]

I've just bought my first can of ACF50 tonight, cleaned the bike and then sprayed it pretty thickly all over it. The bike's now looking very clean and shiny but covered in a kind of slimey film - have I just overdone it on the ACF50? and am I supposed to polish it in or will it just dry up and be okay tomorrow!?


____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[pyx_e]

BF my understanding is that it remains waxy/liquid. When salt and dirt touch it it neutralises it and forms a harmless (if dirty) coating. It penetrates well into nooks and crannies and stays on pretty much untill washed of with hot soapy water, at which point you have to re-apply it which at £12 a can means it gets to stay on for extended periods in my book.

I do Polish the superstructure but engine and everything below the water line is just getting left. The crap of the road can only corrode if it can reach the metal and ACF50 is supposed to create a neutral protective barrier. So the experiment this winter is leave as long as possible and when I do give it a good clean re-apply it.
____________________
Shiney!
Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.