Cleaning the bike

El_Bandido · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Karma :

My bike was filthy so i decided to give it a clean... What a hassle! Has anyone got any tricks for cleaning it and keeping it clean? (other than keeping out of the mud Laughing

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cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

I've started to jet-wash mines about 2mins from home. Give it a whipe down and buff up when I get back in. Get the hard to get to places with some elbow grease. Spend ages cleaning the chain, swing arm and wheels (front wheel is a bugger to do).

Stand back and admire, throw cover over! Thumbs Up

During the summer I wash before and after every run by hand, winter is too cold to spend hours cleaning it.....
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El_Bandido · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Karma :

I can see why people only ride them in the summer Laughing

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Jet wash is a great way to get the crap off, especially if your close to one from the house. I never leave mines dirty (got this weird feeling that the bike will rot over night!).

Just leave the bike running. Hot soap wash then hot rinse! Magic...

Altho during the summer I take pride in giving it a good hand wash!
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Old bikes >>> https://www.bikepics.com/members/cc123/

El_Bandido · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Karma :

such good advice you told me twice Laughing

hey im a poet and i wasnt aware i was. doh! Mad

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

^^^^^ Just ramming the info into your head so you don't forget !! Laughing

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Old bikes >>> https://www.bikepics.com/members/cc123/

El_Bandido · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Karma :

so power wash then in winter, and do something in the summer..... sure it'll come back to me Rolling Eyes

Scotsman37 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Karma :

Be wary of jet washing as it could push the water into the bikes wheel bearings etc and remove the protective coating of grease within them.

So avoid jet washing where the bearings are located on the bike.

I would buy Muck Off made by Fuchs! Smile

It's great in helping to remove the crap off the bike as you just spray it on and use a basil brush or something similar to agitate the sprayed on areas and leave for about a minute and spray it off or use a few buckets of water instead. It's makes lighter work of cleaning the bike.

phill.c · Traffic Copper Joined: 13 May 2004 Karma :

brillo pad does the trick Laughing

at work and i think ive gone passed boredom now.

El_Bandido · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Jet washing is fine, of course (the same as anything wet) you don't want to be pointing it straight into any electrics or bearings but if you're sensible and don't do anything like that it makes cleaning your bike much easier.

Scotsman37 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Karma :

divuk83 · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Karma :

Something to look out for is these foaming wheel cleaners. Some of them knacker the paint or coating on your wheels. Check before you use them. I have found Yoshimoto Wheel cleaner to be the best and its safe for use on painted and powdercoated wheels.

Dave

Scotsman37 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Karma :

divuk83 · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Karma :

I rate the Yoshimoto stuff, but the turtle wax stuff knackered my paint! Not a waste of money on a tarty bike like mine, but perhaps overkill on a ratty commuter bike.

Dave