General purpose cleaners

[Guest]

Hey guys, still getting the used to working on motorcycles here. I got into it today and took off the gas tank and airbox.

Question: How clean should the box itself be? What should I use to clean out the airbox/airfilter? It looks like I can use something like simple green and some motor oil for the air filter, but there is some residue inside of the box I'd like to clean out.

Also, what is a good, general purpose cleaner to use for stuff like this? This bike has been outside under tarp for four years so its collected a good chunk of nature on the bike and the nooks and crannies of some of the parts during that time. Thanks.

[cowboyup3371]

You already mentioned it in your post - simple green does wonders for cleaning the bike. Use rags, q-tips, and rifle cleaning brushes as necessary

[greg78gs750]

ya know, lately i have been using the dupont multi-use teflon lube (same stuff i lube the chain with) as a cleaner (on an already pretty clean bike)....leaves things looking nice and shiny, dry, and with a layer of non-stick so future dirt just blows off with some compressed air. obviously not for tires, seats, etc, but i really like the stuff.

[Nessism]

Simple Green (diluted) and an old paint brush works well. If the engine is really grimmy, something stronger like Gunk Engine Brightner is recommended, followed by the SG.

[spyug]

Simply Green, Spray 9, Windex, they all work even WD40 for metal bits. For a quick dust off /shine Pledge furniture polish works wonders, especially their new multi surface product.

I find the off season is a good time to 'detail" the ride and once its clean, come riding season, a quick rub down with the aforementioned Pledge keeps her sparkling.

[MisterCinders]

To get rid of heavy gunk that builds up on the engine fins, etc., I like orange hand cleaner - like GOOP (IIRC). Brush it on a dirty DRY surface, let sit a few minutes, then scrub off. It eats through the grease like a champ and smells nice.