How to wash a bike?

[_Chris_]

As stupid as it sounds, I really am asking how to wash a bike.

I've just bought a GZ125 (marauder), mini cruiser thing. I've never owned a bike before (nor no anybody that has one)... how should you wash them?

No doubt standard car wash products would be fine on the tank/fenders, but I guess that after getting wet the chain (and a bunch of other stuff?) would need to be oiled/greased?

Any tips would be much appreciated, especially for protecting the chrome bits

/newbie
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Just getting started

[hellkat]

Does not compute.
https://home.earthlink.net/~scottsmiley/images/Confused.gif
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[iooi]

[Darth]

I start out giving it a going over using Hein Gericke bike cleaner- pinky orangey stuff. Follow up cleaning any especially grimy, oily bits with WD40. Finally give the chain a going over and and lube.
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Harold_Shand wrote: I suppose it's like anything, you get your fingers burned when you start out, you learn from it and eventually become a complete arsehole about the whole thing.

[NinaMarie]

I sponge off the really dirty bits, use the pink muc off bike cleaner for the rest.

Mostly i polish LOTS.

But yeah.. i ride it more Its filthy at the minute
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Sym Fiddle: SOLD
Gilera Coguar 125: Written off!!
CBR125R

[calyx]

Kitchen towel + WD40. Two times a year
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Boris - London

[_Chris_]

Cheers guys, it's pretty filthy at the moment I'll get some chain lube for tomorrows cleanup
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Just getting started

[keggyhander]

I cleaned a filthy cruiser today. It's a belt drive so you'd have to ask others about the chain.

What you need:
Hose pipe
Bucket
Wool mitt
Hot water
TurtleWax Ice Shampoo.
Air compressor (optional)

Procedure:

Rinse bike with hose pipe

Get a froth up in bucket with the water and shampoo.

Using the mitt and frothy stuff in bucket, start at the top and work down. Bars, tank, mudgards, lights.

Next do frame, forks swingarm, wheels.

Then do the engine.

Finish with the underside of the bike.

Rinse off again.

Blow excess water off with air compressor, or take it for a spin to shed the water.

Don't bother polishing malarky until at least march.

Result:

https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/keggyhander/IMG_0248-1.jpg

[Knot600RR]

^^^Cool bike Sir!

[Carl_G]

Or, just get someone in a comedy wig at a charity car wash do it for a handful of shrapnel...


https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/DreadTemujin/Bike%20Stuff/bikewash.jpg
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CBT 11/09/10! Theory Passed 12/10/10! Mod 1 Passed 08/03/11! Mod 2 passed 13/04/11!
1993 Yamaha XV 535 (SMIDSYed) 2008 Suzuki GSF 650 (Hire Bike) 1993 Yamaha XV 535 (Resurrected!) 2004 Triumph Speedmaster 790cc (Payout from SMIDSY!)

[Ericck]

Always used a hosepipe or bucket of soapy water until I read a thread saying don't use water.

Now after many years have changed to a tin of 79p charm furniture polish from local convenience store for everything but the oily bits, clean those with a splash of paraffin.

Takes half the time and looks great, might all collapse in a heap in the future but seems spot on for now
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Current Bike: 2004 Suzuki Bandit 600S
Previous Bikes: Yamaha FS1E, Mobylette Moped Thingy, Suzuki GS125, Kawasaki Zephyr 550, Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Kawasaki ER500, Suzuki Bandit 600, Honda CBR600F, Triumph Street Triple 675, Suzuki V Strom 650, Suzuki Bandit 1200, Suzuki SV650N, Honda CB500F.

[_Chris_]

Cheers Keggy

That's a lovely bike.

I'm not too concerned with polishing, but may have a look for some wax for protection (and hopefully to make the next clean easier of course)

unless of course I pass a charity car wash on the way to the shops, and happen to see a cheerful character in a wig waiting to help me
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Just getting started

[DrDonnyBrago]

I don't generally wash my bike though so I am pretty useless for other bike cleaning tips, however don't forget the two bucket method. On the odd occasion that my bike does see some love I also use two sponges/mitts, one for the crappy areas that I do first metalwork/wheels/etc and a cleaner one for the painted areas. Start at the top and work your way down in both instances and change the water in between.

Two bucket method:
Use two buckets, one full of warm soapy water, one full of warm water without the soap, procedure is as follows:


Dunk your sponge/mitt/strippers ass in the soapy bucket, wash bike with it then rinse it off in the clean water bucket.

Repeat.


The idea is that the grit and filth gets washed off into the clean water bucket so your soap stays cleaner for longer and you are less likely to be smearing grit over your paintwork. For the additional effort it requires it is well worth doing.






Chain maintenance/cleaning requires paraffin, a cheap paintbrush and a small bowl. Pour paraffin in the bowl and work it into your chain with the brush, all the shit will come off, catch it in the bowl (place rags around to keep your tyres/floor clean). I used to use toothbrushes but the paint brush does a better job as it holds more paraffin, cheap toothbrushes are good for stubborn shitty bits. Do this for the whole chain, under the sprocket cover, anything with oil on it basically. I then re-oil with gear oil on a rag.

[Alex_B]

I use this place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8GoT_B2JOY




It's next door to me.

I spend ages at the window, dunno why. I guess I just like Bike washing :wink
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My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[keggyhander]

[syler]

A worn toothbrush can be good to get to the tight spots.