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Post by 87fxlr on May 5, 2007 10:03:57 GMT -5
I don't remember if I had posted this on the old site or not..
How often do you wash your bike? I usually end up washing ours about every-other week or so. So I posted in the monthly section. I would much rather be out riding instead of scrubbing on bits and pieces.
On a related note, what products do you use? I have been using the Mr. Clean car was system for the last couple of times and it seems to work rather well. I also use a leaf blower to blow dry the bikes. It seems to really help with the water spots that always seem to end up ruining a good washing. I have been using the Turtle Wax Ice detailing cleaner along with the Ice polish between waxes and I really like the way it turns out. It doesn't leave that white powder if you happen to get it on the seat or rubber bits.
So, does anyone have any little secrets that they would like to share?
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Post by buck12ga on May 5, 2007 10:30:43 GMT -5
Like 87, I don't wash mine weekly, but more often than monthly.
A guy I was riding with a couple of weeks ago told me he takes his Softail to the car wash and sprays the entire thing with "engine/tire" cleaner, then sprays it off. He claims that it is only "simple green" in the engine cleaner. His bike looked great. Well, being of compromised physical ability, I had to give it a try, but only on the wheels, tires and underside of the engine. It worked great on the wheels, they shined up as good as when I hand scrubbed them. I do try to keep the spray away from bearing areas and often only use the easy spray. After it's bath I usually ride the bike for an extended period to dry it thoroughly.
Does anyone else ever use a car wash? I am aware that it isn't recommended.
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Post by bruce on May 5, 2007 11:52:03 GMT -5
I wash mine once a year and/or just before I sell it, although I have to admit that I've been washing my '98 Guzzi every month or so in order to keep it looking minty in case I decide to sell. It's been killing me. I hate to wash a bike.
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Post by xsyamahadg on May 5, 2007 12:48:25 GMT -5
I wash mine about once a week if it collects bugs from a ride. I hate to let those bug splatters on the paint for very long. Mostly I wash mine at home with Turtle wax car wash and then towel dry with a terry cloth. If the bike is just dusty, I take it to the car wash and stand way back with the hand held wand and hose it down soap, then I rinse it with their spot free rinse. By the time I get home, it's dry. The whole process takes 3 1/2 minutes and cost $1.00. It does a nice job. The whole idea is not to blast the bike with high pressure soap and water.
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Post by jeffe on May 5, 2007 23:20:52 GMT -5
Try to guess how I voted in the poll ;D
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Post by x90rider on May 7, 2007 9:36:04 GMT -5
We only wash the bike as needed - usually once a month. After every ride we use "The Quick One 4 in 1 Liquid Wax" to get the bugs off of the bike. Spray it on, wait 5-10 minutes, wipe it off with a towel, flip the towel and buff. You can see the bugs melt off of the bike using the liquid wax. www.thequickone.com/products.html
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Post by xsyamahadg on May 7, 2007 11:36:34 GMT -5
After a wash, I use "Pig Snot" to wax the bike, it seems to do a good job.
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Post by bill on May 7, 2007 14:10:36 GMT -5
Whats washing?
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Post by jeffe on May 7, 2007 17:40:22 GMT -5
Does riding thru a thunder storm count?
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Post by feelergaugephil on Jul 8, 2007 1:20:12 GMT -5
I was self employed in UK for 10 years as a mobile valeter (detailer) I always used hair shampoo and dried it off with a leather, thats what I continue to use to this day, try it, it works!
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Post by xsyamahadg on Jul 8, 2007 5:51:53 GMT -5
Hair shampoo ? Any particular brand name ?? When you say you dry with a leather...did you mean a chamois ?
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Post by bill on Jul 8, 2007 6:39:27 GMT -5
Like XS, I am intrigued to know what type of shampoo you use, would that be for dull lifeless hair, or god forbid, 'Shed and Smolders'! To get that real shiny look would you use conditioner?
By the way welcome aboard!
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Post by feelergaugephil on Jul 8, 2007 11:00:26 GMT -5
Nothing with mixed conditioner, any cheap shampoo will do, and yes a chamos (leather to me)
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Post by feelergaugephil on Jul 8, 2007 11:10:29 GMT -5
A few more tips, for really corroded alloy fins (engine) spray OFF (oven cleaner) on for 1 min and wash off with hose pipe, repeat if needed. Solvol autosol (maybe .com) if you cant locate it here in USA, sold in UK, for aluminum to make it really shiny. Purple power (walmart) for degreasing oil from engine, wheels, DONT USE ON PAINTWORK as it removes ALL polish, so if you do get it on paintwork, repolish. Oxidized screws, get a bench grinder with a buffer wheel. OH! once a week for my bikes on washing.
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Post by vstrom2up on Jul 8, 2007 20:13:33 GMT -5
Like Jeffe, riding through a thunderstorm is about it. If the bike gets super-muddy, maybe a car wash, but that is about it. Sure was a different story when we had a Yamaha Virago a few years ago. I bet I cleaned that about three times a month especially the chrome. I love shiny chrome so I was the queen of the Never-dull.
Do not try this on street bike plastic, but if you want to make dirt bike plastic easy to clean, put WD40 on it.
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