cleaning the bike

[Killer Rat]

apologies if this sounds a bit mongy.

which parts of the bike do i need to avoid getting water into?

is fairy liquid and water the right cleaning fluid to use?

cheers in advance.

[.....]

People say don't use Fairy liquid as it contains salt. Use any old car cleaning stuff and a drop of paraffin to get off the really greasy stuff like chain lube fling on the rear wheel. WD40 is good as well.

If using a jet wash avoid blasting any bearings and around any electrics really, otherwise don't worry about where to get water. Bikes don't mind getting wet.

After washing, use some ACF-50 - good stuff.

[L4Isoside]

They also say it strips it of all its protective qualities etc.

Muc-off is good stuff too

i've been told to avoid close blasting to paint & chain etc.

[waffles]

Muc-Off is hella expensive but works pretty well. Spray on nearly everywhere, go find the hosepipe, try and remember where you put the connector for the spray nozzle then rise off. I love it mostly because I am really really lazy!

Avoid spraying water around the headlight area and general electronic stuff and you will be fine.
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[GSF Jamie 600]

Paraffin for the nasty gunk

Then a hot bucket of water, car shampoo and a sponge

Then when dried give it a polish a voila, shiny bike

[flamegrape]

[Dazbo666]

I use Silkolene Fuchs bike wash. Very convenient and effective, and if you look around, it's a fair bit cheaper than the Muck-Off branded products.
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[Flip]

Dr power on the wheels, washing up liquid & water everywhere else. I need to steal my Dads caravan cleaner as that does a great job.

[L4Isoside]

For a quick 5 mins wash

just go for pressure washer +snow foam stuff

wait 5 mins and wash it off again

clean

[Notj7]

I use muc-off and a hose pipe. It's this bright pink liquid that you spray on, rub it in a bit with a clean sponge with no gravel on it (duh), and then you hose it off.

Clean from top to bottom, (not being patronising), and I always put the hose up and see which direction the wind blows, and clean from where the wind hits the bike first so you don't get a load more spraying on your bike when you get to the end.

If you've got a low pressure hose on it you don't need to worry about getting water anywhere really I don't think? Just try not to aim up and into the fairing.

And finally the most important piece of cleaning equipment which I invested in... a chamois cloth. Before when i've washed my bike the water beads and then when it dries there's still mucky marks all over my tank etc. Get a chammy and wipe it all down repeatedly until it's completely dry, and you wont have any marks!
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Left the forum.

[Paxovasa]

For a nice shine, use Mr Sheen polish
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[russeleoin]

I gave up using chamois a while ago. If you have one cool, if not, invest in a cheap leaf blower. As soon as you have finished washing, blow it dry. Takes a few minutes and then you know that you can get to all the nooks.
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I love classic merc's but bikes take up less space.
Current ride is a Yamaha YB 100 and I love it! Oooow and now a running GPZ400R!
Next stop, Direct Access hopefully by the end of summer.

[ajbsmirnoff]

Elbow grease. Ask for it at Halfrauds. Keep a straight face if they go to look for some though, and thank them politely when they come back empty handed.

[Killer Rat]

[toomanybikes]

mr sheen has to be the best stuff for gettin my white vtec wheels back to showroom, and i tend to use my compressor to blow any left over water from allenbolt heads/brake callipers etc, chain lube fly of either mr sheen or autoglym tar remover (bit pricey)
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biker who trys but very often ends up needing advice

[Glenben92]

[neil.]

.... and a long weight to keep things balanced properly.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

OT..but do Halfads still sell that Tartan coloured paint?

Pat
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The Harry Turner Project

[iooi]

[ollieholt]

dont forget your glass hammer, oh and you will need a new spirit level bubble....
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< This? Well this is just a day brightner.

[iooi]

[DrDonnyBrago]