i have a dirty bike

[redstedman]

Soapy water is cheap & safe. It cuts grease. Once cleaned properly & completely, a good spray wax on all painted surfaces, frame, plastic parts, wire harnesses, etc makes clean up a snap all summer long.

+1 on the s100$$$. citrus cleaners & purple stuff will eat paint & clear coat. use it on your grill or greasy hands.

There is no substitute for elbow grease. Have a beer & enjoy the task.

[exdirtbiker]

power washer, simple green, brushes, elbow grease and a 6 pack

I know yooz guys know better, and have learned "the touch", but I gotta say this...
Please use extreme caution with a pressure washer.
I've seen it done "nicely" and I've seen guys rip the gaskets out from under a valve cover, and from under a clutch cover with a 3000 psi washer.
Personally, I'm not gonna risk that kind of damage.

[ikantbreave]

a good spray wax on all painted surfaces, frame, plastic parts, wire harnesses, etc makes clean up a snap all summer long.

Such as? Is it like spray Turtle Wax or something? Thanks.

[Crankthat]

Really like the wd 40 for the hard to clean things and a variety of diffrent shape and sized plastic brushes. Let the wd soak a while on anything cooked, scrub with brush spray with simple green scrub with brush again and rinse. If really bad may have to do couple times let the bike air dry before reapplying for best results. My bikes not ever waxed wd40 residue really helps with bugs on mirrors, lights, and any other surface that dosent get to much road dust.

[ram]

I think I am going to try Simple Green and old toothbrush for those hard to use areas. Good to know to stay away from Dish washer liquids (Citrus)
http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions...=18&artlang=en

[winfield]

... Also, most black stuff, if it be engines or cars or whatever, looks awesome, but you are right, it gets dirty way too fast and then you're constantly chasing around trying to keep it clean. Hence why I love having a silver car.

A DeLorean, perhaps?

[MAJikMARCer]

I think I am going to try Simple Green and old toothbrush for those hard to use areas.]

Be sure to find a really skinny toothbrush. Mine was too wide and I couldn't get it between the engine fins. Anyone have a good suggestion for cleaning them?

[sedelen]

Was just wondering, since everyone is on board with Simple Green, but there's two products you can choose from, one is just the plain simple green, and the other is the "Extreme Simple Green Motorsports." I've never used either, but I did pick up a bottle of the Extreme Simple Green Motorsports, and was just wondering if anyone has used this? Or has used it with bad results, damage, etc?
Say its' a cleaner and degreaser, suppose to be safe on most anything.

http://www.simplegreen.com/products_extreme_motor.php

[Crankthat]

Bought some brushes at my local hardware store dont have any right now to take picts they consisted of metal looped around itself like when you twist two peices of coathanger on each other with a hanging loop on one end and cone shaped plastic brush on other end i cut the hanging loop off the one end and fit what was left in drill
works really nice inside fin area have to be carful not to apply to much pressure or wire shaft will bend leading to shaft breakage and with the whole toothbrush will not fit trim it with a razor knife or grind it. Can shape handle with some heat to needs.

Be sure to find a really skinny toothbrush. Mine was too wide and I couldn't get it between the engine fins. Anyone have a good suggestion for cleaning them?
__________________
Marc

[Crazy_Russian]

holly crap, ive newer head that happen, i keep the nozzle at least a foot away from any of the vital components.

I know yooz guys know better, and have learned "the touch", but I gotta say this...
Please use extreme caution with a pressure washer.
I've seen it done "nicely" and I've seen guys rip the gaskets out from under a valve cover, and from under a clutch cover with a 3000 psi washer.
Personally, I'm not gonna risk that kind of damage.

[trevor]

For me not only are the products important but the right set up... I have a dolly with all my cleaning products and my cleaning and polishing rags. Anoter good purchase to save my old back and knees was the rolling stool that has a shelf underneath to put brushes etc. A table to put side covers on and of course my beer!

[exdirtbiker]

Trevor, that is a beutiful bike. But I can't quite see the labels in that picture...
can you please tell us what brand of beer ???

[sedelen]

Trevor, that is a beutiful bike. But I can't quite see the labels in that picture...
can you please tell us what brand of beer ???

No doubt about it, surely is a beautiful bike, and very, very clean. It's no accident how it got that way, now we know how he spends all his free time.

[trevor]

Trevor, that is a beutiful bike. But I can't quite see the labels in that picture...
can you please tell us what brand of beer ???

Haha the beer is Alexander Keiths India Pale Ale, the pride of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Est. in 1820 and I have been drinking it almost as long!

[adam]

Thought that was an ipa and yes yes that is an awesome bike. I think I have read enouph that now I belive I will just sit with some wd and a couple toothbrushes. thanks guys.