Cleaning hints - tips etc

[seeyalater]

If there is a thread already please advise.

But,, cleaning the bike is a great to pass time, but i have no idea whats best to use on calipers etc. i use muc off cleaner and protector and non wheel based areas, but the wheels and brakes just worry me, dont want to get carried away spraying anything near brakes and tyres,, obviously.

what do you guys use for calipers, wheels, tyres etc cheers

[stinkwheel]

I use nothing on the tyres, because they are tyres.

I use brushed on paraffin on really grimy/oily bits then hot soapy water then a cold hose on everything else.

Or muck-off, a cup of tea then a hosepipe if I'm feeling lazy.

Ever hit standing water at 70mph? So dont worry about a hosepipe on wheels/brakes.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[seeyalater]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[Easy-X]

The main thing with brakes is not to get anything sticky on them. The surfaces should be au naturale (so something like ACF50 would be bad!) If you're super paranoid you should get some brake cleaning spray. Halfrauds will have some.

Tyres are some sort of rubber compound - who knows, all clever stuff these days - but as the material is intended to degrade (road wear) it's best not to accelerate the process by lobbing random chemicals at them. Plain water and a brush would be totally fine.

Then there's the obvious things like not filling up the air box with liquid, not attempting to drown electrical connectors...

Other than that: wash, rinse, dry, polish. Can easily kill a day if you're in that frame of mind
____________________
Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[stinkwheel]

Anyone is welcome to come and wash my bikes if they are that bored. I hate washing motorbikes. I prefer getting them dirty.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Riejufixing]

I tend to only clean bikes if it's necessary to work on them. A100man may have heard of or been to Davies Brothers (the originals...) MOT station. Once they refused to look at my bike.... "Take it away and clean it!"

[seeyalater]

the tyres are the least issue as do look clean with just water unlike car tyres that need dressing.

but calipers? guessing unless there painted glossy or have a good finish there left alone lol

i dont use sticky or slippy near tyres/brakes. paranoid as it is

[Tdibs]

I would say, once its dry, its always worth having a acf50/oily rag to wipe over the swing arm, any frame joins etc anywhere that is starting to rust.

Brake calipers, its easier just to save it for a job of itself. Unbolt it, remove pads, clean around the piston(s) , re grease pins, clean the body with with some brake cleaner and wipe over with acf50 (obviously leave no running residue.) Brush off any loose brake dust from the pads and reinstall.

I do that pre and post winter typically, then just leave them alone the rest of the year unless they need pads.
____________________
Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[seeyalater]

[seeyalater]

is acf50 the same as Muc off motorcycle protector? just curious

[Ste]

ACF50 is much better than the Muc Off version.

[seeyalater]

[UncleFester]

And if you are of the 'wash it and put it away' persuasion ... get a cheap electric leafblower to blast out the water from places it doesn't need to sit.

I use the 2stroke one but that's only cos i have it and it smells nice.
____________________
2017 Z1000SX

[Skudd]

I gave the wife some cleaning tips, Oh how wrong I was.
____________________
Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[pepperami]

Cleaning tip : old toothbrush is good for getting into some of those nooks and crannies that are to fiddly for your fingers.
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Easy-X]

[seeyalater]

[Ste]

I've got a set of Muc Off brushes for cleaning my push bike and they're awesome.

[A100man]

[P.]

I haven't cleaned mine since 2016... this thread has reminded me that I only ride in glorious weather and that I should really sell it

[MCN]

Wheels need wheel cleaner to remove brake dust. Brake dust sticks to things like shite to a blanket.
Wheel cleaner needs to be applied to dry wheels and left to penetrate/work.
So consider whether the wheels need done with cleaner. Usually after a month of riding they accumulate plenty of shite.

Wet the beast using a hose or bucket.
Spray muc-off.
Agitate the greasy bits.
Tea/coffee/beer/wine.
Hose or bucket off.

Detail if fussed.
Metal polish etc.
Ensure you use aluminium polish for aluminium and chrome polish for chrome they are very different animals.

Tires brush with the waterbused to rinse off.
____________________
Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[seeyalater]

[MCN]

[seeyalater]

Gve the brakes and disc a good clean today with brake spray and quickly found out within 2 mins of going out to test brakes and let them bed back in... arse went a little as had about 50% use of brakes on first use lol
yes im a total dick for not thinking.