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Old December 30th, 2008, 04:38 PM   #1
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Never washed a motorcycle before. Any tips?

Is there anything I would need to know before, during and after I wash my motorcycle tomorrow? Would I need to reapply lubrication on the chain after washing it? What about the other parts of the motorcycle which are grease/oiled up for mechanical reasons. Should In be concern with these parts as well? Should I use warm or cold water? Any tips would be helpful.
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Old December 30th, 2008, 04:47 PM   #2
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you should be concerned with hiting any moving or mechanical parts with a pressure washer (ie: anything with lubrication or electronics). don't put anything slick like armerall on stuff you don't want slick (ie: tires).

thats about it really.

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Old December 30th, 2008, 06:24 PM   #3
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Don't Armor all your seat! And a skinny tire brush works wonders...
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Old December 30th, 2008, 06:48 PM   #4
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Do not shine your tires.
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Old December 30th, 2008, 06:51 PM   #5
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I've got one of those Mr. Clean auto washers that does a pretty good job. If my bikes are really dirty, I'll start with that. It's just an attachment on the end of a hose that has settings for wash, soap, and ionized/filtered water to dry. It's not nearly strong enough coming out of the hose to get past seals, but it's enough water to help make washing the bike pretty darned quick and easy.

After it dries, I do use plexus on just about all the painted or shiny surfaces; adds a bit of protection and gives it that "shiny/wet" look. If I did use any water, I do make sure to clean/lube the chain afterwards.

If the bike isn't too dirty, I'll just use the plexus and go from there.
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Old December 30th, 2008, 06:53 PM   #6
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Okay I get the not shinning the tires part. I don't want to endanger my only two means of traction. Would using an old tooth brush and for the hard to reach areas be okay? Would I have to re-grease or lube anything after I am done?

NVM: Alex you hit most of my questions.
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Old December 30th, 2008, 07:06 PM   #7
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I don't wash the bike TOO too much. I give it one or two complete clean and waxings during the summer and the rest of the time just dust it off with microfibre clothes and use car detailer. Brake parts cleaner on a rag to clean chain before re-lubing (do not spray it on directly... or drench the rag, it will KILL your o-rings).

It may sound pretty cheap, but one thing that I found that seemed to clean the bike really good, and all of the bug splatters: plastic & vinyl house siding cleaner. It comes in a bottle that you screw right on the end of a garden hose. It premixes soap and water and works really well. Just stand back about 10 feet from the bike.



You can see the bottle of cleaner attached to the hose in this pic. Make sure to dry the bike off with some really nice absorbent shammies after washing. Water marks suck.

In terms of greasing & re-lubing? I lube all the pivots for shifters and levers, as well as the axles once every year. Right before I take the bike out for spring. The chain should be cleaned and re-lubed every 1000km or so. (I've let it go longer but you shouldn't.)

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Old December 30th, 2008, 07:14 PM   #8
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This is for basic washing of the bike-

Wash the bike like you wash your car. No high pressure. I use a garden sprayer attachment on a hose, bucket of soapy water, a wash mitt for the plastics, a 4" painters brush to get in the hard to reach areas. I stay away from the really greasy areas like the drive chain.

After you're done washing and drying the bike, start it up and let the the engine warm up to dry out any parts that may be sensitive to water. If you have the time, take it for a quick spin to blow out any water left in the crevices and come back and lube the chain.



Every 6 months or so (or when I ride in the rain ), I remove the front fairings, front fender, seat and rear plastics and wash the plastics (inside and out), engine and frame thoroughly. This is where the painting brush comes in very handy.
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Old December 31st, 2008, 11:27 AM   #9
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Get a Sud Buddy to clean it?
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Old December 31st, 2008, 11:43 AM   #10
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^ and be sure to take pics for us
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Old December 31st, 2008, 12:09 PM   #11
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Very good advice. One thing no one mentioned was the exhaust. When I wash the bike, I usually put a cork in the exhaust.
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Old December 31st, 2008, 01:53 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex Allmayer Beck View Post
Very good advice. One thing no one mentioned was the exhaust. When I wash the bike, I usually put a cork in the exhaust.
Good idea. If water does get into the exhaust, fully warming the bike after a wash will cause it all to boil and evaporate.
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Old January 1st, 2009, 01:35 PM   #13
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Thanks for all the advice folks. Keep it coming if it has not been mentioned already.
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Old January 1st, 2009, 01:38 PM   #14
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lol... you mean you still haven't washed the bike??? what are you waiting for???
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Old January 1st, 2009, 04:35 PM   #15
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^ and be sure to take pics for us
Take it to my dealer: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11014

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Old January 1st, 2009, 06:11 PM   #16
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Ummm.....Feel free to PM that "dealer" address at anytime !
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Old January 2nd, 2009, 07:38 AM   #17
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Do not shine your tires.
I found out the hard way on my first motorbike in high school...

Quote:
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lol... you mean you still haven't washed the bike??? what are you waiting for???
In 21k miles, I think I've already washed my bike at least four times.
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Old January 2nd, 2009, 07:45 PM   #18
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I think... It was in regard to Sud Buddies... I do not see Sud Buddies there.. Just Sud Bunnies...
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Old January 2nd, 2009, 09:00 PM   #19
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BlueTyke... I was telling him to take it to my dealer for a wash. Didn't mean to get you and noche_caliente's hopes up!
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Old January 3rd, 2009, 12:26 AM   #20
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I just use a hose and the regular automotive detailing products i use on my own car. I usually just use a light auto shampoo and pat dry with a waffle weave microfiber towel. I only use the hose on areas like the seat, plastics, wheels, etc, and use a wet towel on the controls/gauges/sensitive areas. I plan to wax it every month or so depending on how much I ride

For "in between" cleanings I use a quick detailer spray on the paint.

Detailing is a little hobby of mine. The results always make it well worth the time spent!

Here's a pic i took after a fresh detail:

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Old January 3rd, 2009, 03:24 PM   #21
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BlueTyke... I was telling him to take it to my dealer for a wash. Didn't mean to get you and noche_caliente's hopes up!
I was taking no form of offence what-so-ever. I am not sure where Walnut is though... Is that in Virginias?
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Old January 3rd, 2009, 04:27 PM   #22
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Note to self ....... "Bikes need a washing"
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Old October 22nd, 2009, 05:13 AM   #23
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Found this on MCN:

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/technical/...ilDetails1.pdf

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/technical/...ilDetails2.pdf

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/technical/...ilDetails3.pdf

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/technical/...ilDetails4.pdf

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/technical/...ilDetails5.pdf
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Old October 22nd, 2009, 05:50 AM   #24
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My bike is so dirty, I don't want to put the cover on it for fear that the dust will scratch.
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Old October 22nd, 2009, 06:44 PM   #25
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At over 27k miles so far, I think I recently washed the bike maybe five times. I also spend more time riding than trying to be the top poster on the forums
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Old October 22nd, 2009, 07:29 PM   #26
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Quote:
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My bike is so dirty, I don't want to put the cover on it for fear that the dust will scratch.
Sounds like you need to wash the bike in a bad way.
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Old October 22nd, 2009, 09:17 PM   #27
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I dont bother washing much because i dont have a garage and its black. I just go to the car wash places, spray with water on low pressure put some suds on and wash it off, dry.
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Old October 22nd, 2009, 11:13 PM   #28
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I washed my bike today!! It has been awhile .
But I do love a clean bike.
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Old October 22nd, 2009, 11:50 PM   #29
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I wash my bike mainly with ONR(Optimum No Rise)
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/onrwns.htm

This is a very good product especially if you don't have access to a water hose such as in apartment complex. You just need a bucket and couple microfiber towels. Very quick and easy

I also use this on my car regulary for in between washes or when I don't have time to do a full wash. You can also use this as quick detailer or clay bar lube depending on the amount you mix with water. Their spray wax is very good too.

...wow, I should get paid by them
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Old October 23rd, 2009, 12:21 AM   #30
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Sounds like you need to wash the bike in a bad way.
The problem is that I commute with it daily and so it has to remain uncovered during my graveyard shift. Every morning, I come out of the office to go home and it is soaking wet with dew. That dew traps dust which builds up daily and stays behind when it dries. I'd have to wash every other day to stop it.
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Old October 23rd, 2009, 01:34 AM   #31
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I have to wash mine after every ride (Bug Guts) then it gets a cover till the next ride.
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Old January 15th, 2010, 01:21 AM   #32
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Washing the bike

Any tips on washing the bike? I'm thinking of just taking a bucket, soap+water, and washing it that way. Then wax after. Are there any areas I should avoid getting wet? Thanks!
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Old January 15th, 2010, 01:51 AM   #33
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Old January 15th, 2010, 02:27 AM   #34
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I have a brush on the end of a hose and use a small water flow; this brings off all the dirt without the risk of drowning the electrics or damaging seals. If you have tar stuck on the bike a soft cloth with some gas on it will bring it off. Then polish it as much as you like.

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Old January 15th, 2010, 07:30 AM   #35
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Old January 15th, 2010, 08:43 AM   #36
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don't blast the bike with high pressure. especially radiator fins, swingarm pivots, linkage, etc.
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Old January 15th, 2010, 08:43 AM   #37
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especially avoid drive thru car washes, you'll be soaked all the way home.
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Old January 15th, 2010, 09:23 AM   #38
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especially avoid drive thru car washes, you'll be soaked all the way home.
That's how I always do it. That way my gear is sqeaky clean too.
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Old January 15th, 2010, 09:28 AM   #39
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especially avoid drive thru car washes, you'll be soaked all the way home.
I'm giving the IT guy your email address....you can explain all the water that is dripping off my monitor. Had a mouth full while I was reading that
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Old January 15th, 2010, 09:36 AM   #40
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I'm giving the IT guy your email address....you can explain all the water that is dripping off my monitor. Had a mouth full while I was reading that
Haha, I actually had an experience in a car one time at the car wash. I somehow missed the little roller that pulls the car, so I tried to drive the right speed through the carwash. It was tricky, the second I got out of that thing I sped off towards the highway.
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