July 23rd, 2011, 12:30 PM | #1 |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
|
How do you guys keep your calipers clean?!
I bought brake cleaner, followed the instructions, and really flooded everything. The exposed parts of my pistons still look charred black and the caliper housing still has all kinds of crap in the casted surface texture. It doesn't look any cleaner. I saw The Duck brag about how clean he keeps his in a video where he changed his pads, so I'm going to go bug him too.
Do I need to get a toothbrush or something?! |
|
July 23rd, 2011, 12:34 PM | #2 |
vampire
Name: A
Location: IT
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.
|
Ever try blowing with air hose prior to brake cleaner?
Brake dust just blow off sometimes. |
|
July 23rd, 2011, 12:48 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org member
Name: nick
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250 Posts: 168
|
For the caliper I would use a red scotchbrite pad to get them cleaned up, and it gives a nice brushed look. They also make them drill mounted which turns it into a 5 minute job.
|
|
July 23rd, 2011, 01:28 PM | #4 | |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
I figured I weas just doing it wrong when I see other high-mileage 250s with bright, clean, calipers and I can empty a can of brake cleaner on it and see no improvement. I'll try it. Thanks! I don't want to score the pistons though so I'm guessing I just need to break out a toothbrush for that the next time I change my pads. |
|
|
July 23rd, 2011, 04:44 PM | #6 |
Professional belly dancer
Name: James
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 1992 GSX-R 750 Posts: A lot.
|
Haha if you actually ride your bike, then the calipers are the hardest things to keep clean. The only real way to clean them to "super clean" levels would be to take them apart and soak them in kerosene or something.
|
|
July 23rd, 2011, 05:15 PM | #7 |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14
|
or clean them every day... there's a guy that took his gsxr1000 to work everyday at my last job (well... he was actually a s/he... well... it was a guy but he dressed like a woman, wore high heeled red boots, womens clothes/leathers, makeup, long ponytail and recently got breast implants... kinda a scary concept to me... anyway) every day after he arrived he would sit there cleaning his wheels and calipers... they were spotless. for some reason though he didn't ever do anything about the scratches on his plastics
__________________________________________________
|
|
July 23rd, 2011, 08:08 PM | #8 | |
Professional belly dancer
Name: James
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 1992 GSX-R 750 Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
Anyway, I've seen bikes in this type of condition as well. I have no idea how they have the patience for that sort of business, but more power to them...I guess. |
|
|
July 24th, 2011, 12:31 AM | #9 |
DUCEATR
Name: Dan
Location: El Paso, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): RVT1000R Posts: 628
|
I ride everyday but leave the cleaning for Sunday afternoon. It stays pretty spotless unless it gets dusty.
As for the pistons, I used fine steel wool. It won't hurt the stainless piston. For the caliper I use brake kleen and a toothbrush if needed. Then I just wipe em down with a rag to finish.
__________________________________________________
2001 SP1 RC51- #62 -Akrapovic Ti, PCIII, Colin Edward's first baby tooth, Honda Racing sticker, some Japanese doods best attempt at Engrish scribbled on my engine block, little touch of soul. |
|
July 24th, 2011, 02:57 PM | #10 |
Always.
Name: Alex
Location: Calgary, AB
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.
|
What about spraying WD-40 on a cloth and wiping?
__________________________________________________
blink-182 |
|
July 24th, 2011, 03:10 PM | #11 |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
|
brake cleaner is useless without rubbing or brushing, especially if the brake dust and road grime has become baked on after months of neglect. The best thing to do is rub or scrub the area while the brake cleaner is still wet. Also a good degreaser like simple green helps as well. Remember to rinse well.
|
|
July 24th, 2011, 03:58 PM | #12 | |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
|
I wouldn't want lube near my brakes.
Quote:
|
|
|
July 24th, 2011, 04:04 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Colin
Location: Bay Area
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): '96 EX250 Posts: A lot.
|
Ever hear the term elbow grease? Yes use a rag, toothbrush or some other soft bristle brush, soft scotchbrite, etc. You can't just spray on a cleaner and expect it to clean them for you. Is that how you wash your car or windows?
|
|
July 24th, 2011, 04:10 PM | #14 |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
|
I used elbow grease before buying the cleaner and then I specifically followed the directions on the cleaner, which implied that that was exactly how (flooding it without touching it) to prevent contamination.
|
|
July 24th, 2011, 04:19 PM | #15 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Colin
Location: Bay Area
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): '96 EX250 Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
What do you guys clean your pod filters with? | agentbad | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 15 | March 16th, 2015 10:33 AM |
Brake calipers | fishdip | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 16 | December 20th, 2013 11:42 AM |
Gold Brake Calipers??? | dubojr1 | General Motorcycling Discussion | 40 | January 14th, 2011 07:55 AM |
[SoupKast] - SoupKast by Honda Episode 82: Laguna USGP: Fast Guys, Short Guys and Idi | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | July 15th, 2009 11:00 PM |
[SoupKast] - SoupKast by Honda Episode 82: Laguna USGP: Fast Guys, Short Guys and Idi | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | July 14th, 2009 10:40 PM |
Thread Tools | |
|
|