So I'm a new rider & would like washing tips.

[Pac-Man]

So as the title says, I'm new to the whole bike thing so I'm kind of unsure how to go about washing a bike so far as open electrical wires goes & the carb area etc etc for my 85 GS450L. Whats a tangible way to go about tossin water at these old boys? Most of the bike you can be careful enough but I'm just hesitant about how much water gets where but then again I think to myself how many times I seen guys ridin bikes in the rain so it must not hurt em too bad?

[alnmike]

I use a light spray of simple-green on my engine, but since I haven't found a brush I hate, it doesn't do much to clean up the baked on oil from last years leak. But all the electrics are buried, you wont get them too wet unless you pressure wash upwards under your tank or seat, definitely less than the mist they get every time you ride in the rain.
If your worried about your spark plug connections, it should have di-electric grease on them anyway, which is something ive been putting off myself. The wires going to your front fork are all insulated from water.
Also, if someone has tips on how to fix horizontal (worst) scratches on a windshield from using the hand washers at the gas station...

[Pac-Man]

ok thank you very much mike.

[Ranger]

I spray everything metallic down with carb cleaner depending how dirty avoiding any rubber and plastic.

A wire brush helps, then a gentle spray down from a garden hose. Doesn't hurt to disconnect the battery but leave the side plastics on to cover the electrical. If you're unsure, just do a wipe down but most of the bike is made for weather just don't let pools of water form.

When I washed mine I just always sprayed everything with a nozzle but avoid a pressure washer!

The more you explore your bike the better routine you can develope with what areas you should avoid a blast of water. Put a grocery bag over your carbs and all ports if you doubt anything.


This will probably help too and be a motivation. I recommend everyone watch... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8GoT...e_gdata_player

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Yes, to wash engine, frame, wheels, and other hard parts, I use Simple Green. I spray it on full strength and let it sit for a few minutes. Then I use the toilet brush I got at the dollar store to scrub the grime. Then rinse off with the hose, no power sprayer. You don't want to force water into the airbox or other sensitive places.

But you are right. I ride in the rain a lot and never worry about the electrics getting wet. There is some exposed wire but as long as all of your connectors have been replaced and you've used shrink tubing and dielectric grease you'll be OK.

For the body parts, the real shiny parts, I use chrome polish or aluminum polish when I have a lot of time. I've been using Lemon Pledge and t-shirts on the painted parts and it works really well for a quick clean-up. A friend just gave me a sample of a product called Dri Wash'n Guard. I'm going to give it a try and see how it works. It's supposed to be the bees knees. Microfiber cloths are good for not scratching the paint.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Flaming Chainsaws]

This will probably help too and be a motivation. I recommend everyone watch... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8GoT...e_gdata_player

This needs to happen to me NOW!!!

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Hi Tim, be careful what you wish for in case you get your wish. How to clean your new 450L is how it starts, then you want to look after her a bit more and so you keep going with a rub here and a spot there some polish here and very soon it can take over and go too far, how far is too far..............



Cheers.

[Pac-Man]

hahaha shin, I know it. But hey when ya cherish something and or have so much passion in a hobby why do it half ass, do it to the hilt til it makes YOU happy.

[pete]

The other thing I do is some Mr Sheen on the coloured plastic bits to polish them up.

Not sure if you get Mr Sheen in the US, but it's a furniture polish.

And for you Aussies, I'm not talking about rubbing John Howard on my bike...

[simon kuether]

I hose (garden) the bike first . All over .
Then I use a squirty bottle with a mix of 1/3 kerosene , 1/3 truck wash and 1/3 water and spray the bike . All over . Everywhere .
Have a beer , or if the bike is really dirty , two beers .
A plastic bannister brush is the weapon of choice for cleaning . You can shove it into all sorts of places . Carbs , barrel and head fins , frame etc . It wont chip or scratch anything . Use it with some more truck wash and water and scrub the old girl , everywhere . Chain (if it's an o ring or x ring) , sprocket , engine , everywhere .
Use a soft cloth to wash (water and truck wash) the body work .
Hose off with a garden hose and your ready for another coupla beers .

Cheers , Simon .

[pete]

I like your beer theme Simon, a crucial ingredient to any good cleaning or polishing job!

[Flaming Chainsaws]

I like your beer theme Simon, a crucial ingredient to any good cleaning or polishing job!

I'm not old enough to buy beer . Won't work for me . So I guess my bike won't be clean or shiny LOLOLOLOL!!!

[Nessism]

I use Simple Green, diluted with water on everything but grimy stuff (use full strength SG for that) and a large paint brush for cleaning. The paint brush allows you to get in all the nooks and crannies. Towel dry after spraying down the bike with Turtle Wax clear wax spray stuff. The spray wax stuff protects the parts and smells good too.

http://www.turtlewax.com/detail-1-Step%20Wax%20&%20Dry-42-49.aspx

[Steve]

Also, if someone has tips on how to fix horizontal (worst) scratches on a windshield from using the hand washers at the gas station...

First of all, WHY ARE YOU USING THE WASHERS AT GAS STATIONS???
Probably the WORST thing you can do to your windshield, unless you go straight to sandpaper.

Depending on how deep the scratches are, you can try the headlight lens polishing kit that is available at most auto supply areas.

If you manage to get the scratches out, great. If not, and a new windshield is in your future, please do a few things to enhance its life:
1: NEVER use the things at the gas station.
2. NEVER wipe a dry windshield.
3. NEVER wipe the windwhield horizontally or in circles, use VERTICAL strokes only.

When traveling, I carry a microfiber cloth soaked in water in a zip-loc bag in my saddlebag. When I stop for gas, I lay the wet cloth on the windshield to start soaking and softening the bugs. When the tank is full, I will wipe the windshield (up and down, ONLY), then dry it off with another microfiber. I will occasionally also use some Plexxus or liquid wax to enhance bug and rain shedding qualities.

I'm not old enough to buy beer . Won't work for me . So I guess my bike won't be clean or shiny LOLOLOLOL!!!

Don't worry about that, FC. I have been old enough to buy beer for almost two-thirds of my life (and never bought any beer), but my bikes aren't usually very dirty.

My personal opinion is that, unless you are going to pour the beer directly on the bike for some kind of chemical reaction, there's no point in buying it.

.

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Don't worry about that, FC. I have been old enough to buy beer for almost two-thirds of my life (and never bought any beer), but my bikes aren't usually very dirty.

My personal opinion is that, unless you are going to pour the beer directly on the bike for some kind of chemical reaction, there's no point in buying it.

.

HAHAHA! Some of you guys will HATE me for this but I find beer disgusting . Don't hit me! Mountain Dew anyone?