washing the bike

[Frostz28]

First of let me apologize if there is already a thread about this, I searched and didn't find anything. Second, let me apologize if this has been asked a thousand times. On to the question. After several months of neglect my bike is finally getting a much needed detailing. I stripped her plastics, and took them to the basement. (its cold and rainy and my garage lacks proper lighting to do it out there) I can handle the washing of the plastics, my question pertains to the rest of the bike. Can I just take the hose to the rest of the bike? Im sure its mostly waterproof since you can ride in the rain but is it totally waterproof? Should I avoid spraying any specific areas? Also should I steer clear of any "engine cleaner"? its pretty greasy and dirty so I would love to spray some engine brite on it and get her real clean but I don't want to damage anything. for those of you who wash your ride regularly whats your normal process?

[Dragonpaco]

dont spay water into the airbox and you should be good

[askmrjesus]

1. Remove body work.
2. Stuff rags in the exhaust.
3. Cover airbox.
4. Insert key, or cover key hole with tape.
5. Remove counterspocket cover.
6. Start from the top with soapy water and work your way down. Try to avoid spraying water directly into electrical connections and grease fittings.
7. Rinse.
8. Engine time. 50/50 Simple Green and water. Let soak.
9. Have a beer.
10. Engine is still dirty. Repeat steps 8 and 9.
11. Employ your small arsenal of tooth brushes, parts cleaning brushes, rags, Q-tips and small plastic scrapers until engine is clean. Try not to spray water down the spark plug holes.
12. Rinse.
13. Clean chain.
14. Clean wheels.
15. Rinse.
16. Blow excess water off of bike with compressed air.
17. You don't have compressed air, so leave the body work off and go for a short ride. This means you have to skip step 9, and it sucks to be you.
18. This would be a good time to take apart all of your electrical connectors and apply some dielectric grease.
19. Lube chassis zirc fittings.
20. Lube chain.
21. Reassemble.
22. Repeat step 9.
23. Wax, or don't. I don't care, it's not my bike.

JC

[Switch]

good story.

[marko138]

I wouldn't use compressed air. That shit blows water to places it isn't supposed to be. But thats just me.

[askmrjesus]

Originally Posted by marko138

I wouldn't use compressed air. That shit blows water to places it isn't supposed to be. But thats just me.

That's a good point. If you don't know where water is not supposed be, compressed air is not for you.

JC

[Gas Man]

JC put it well. marko has a great point, only when at the point of dissasemble that you would be at. Leaf blower works great on a assembled bike to rid the outer shell of water.

The only thing different from what JC put. If worried about the key hole I would apply tape over it not put the key in. PUtting the key would open the "hatch" over the hole and create more gaps to allow more water into the key switch itself. THat being said, you could leave it be, and when done, spray some water dispersing graphite into the hole and be that much better off.

[askmrjesus]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

The only thing different from what JC put. If worried about the key hole I would apply tape over it not put the key in. PUtting the key would open the "hatch" over the hole and create more gaps to allow more water into the key switch itself. THat being said, you could leave it be, and when done, spray some water dispersing graphite into the hole and be that much better off.

Also a good point. I should have mentioned that some of my bikes are old enough to not have hatches on the ignition, and that I am occasionally out of tape.

JC

[RedRider2k2]

I do pretty much the same as AMJ but instead of doing all that I just pressure wash everything...

Like he said though if you dont know where water shouldnt be then maybe it's not for you..

[HurricaneHeather]

Originally Posted by askmrjesus

1. Remove body work.
2. Stuff rags in the exhaust.
3. Cover airbox.
4. Insert key, or cover key hole with tape.
5. Remove counterspocket cover.
6. Start from the top with soapy water and work your way down. Try to avoid spraying water directly into electrical connections and grease fittings.
7. Rinse.
8. Engine time. 50/50 Simple Green and water. Let soak.
9. Have a beer.
10. Engine is still dirty. Repeat steps 8 and 9.
11. Employ your small arsenal of tooth brushes, parts cleaning brushes, rags, Q-tips and small plastic scrapers until engine is clean. Try not to spray water down the spark plug holes.
12. Rinse.
13. Clean chain.
14. Clean wheels.
15. Rinse.
16. Blow excess water off of bike with compressed air.
17. You don't have compressed air, so leave the body work off and go for a short ride. This means you have to skip step 9, and it sucks to be you.
18. This would be a good time to take apart all of your electrical connectors and apply some dielectric grease.
19. Lube chassis zirc fittings.
20. Lube chain.
21. Reassemble.
22. Repeat step 9.
23. Wax, or don't. I don't care, it's not my bike.

JC

I need a beer now.