How to wash a bike?

[shamster]

Ok, probably a stupid question, but I was wondering how y'all wash your bikes. Is it pretty similar to washing a car? I am afraid to spray water on certain areas though, like the seats, the displays, etc.

Any tips would be appreciated!

[motopsyko32]

i use Honda Polish. I have in the past washed it like a car without any problems... Honda Polish is a lot faster though

[BrownRob]

I use Honda Polish for most of my weekly cleaning.. Spray the polish everywhere and wipe off with a cloth rag. It does leave a slight film and you have to wipe it couple of times.

For more detailed cleaning.. I use normal carwash detergent and a hose without a sprayer. Don't get water on your gages and avoid getting water in your carbs.

Never use Armor All on your tires

[fengler]

im with the others here. I actually never "wash" my bike, if it gets dusty /dirty i just use honda pro cleaner polish. if i want to clean the engine, ill spray simple green on it and rinse. for my polished rims i spray wd-40 on them and then wipe it off.

[shamster]

Thanks for the suggestions. So some water on the gauges, etc is ok, but just avoid direct spray right?

Forgive this next stupid question, but where exactly are the carbs? I'm not sure I can identify that just yet.

[fengler]

yes, remeber that a bike is designed to ride through rain, its probabaly not the best for it, but it can be done. the carbs are usually directly underneath the gas tank, there are usually 4 of them.

[bomma]

ok, this is what I do...been riding for years so I've washed my bikes hundreds of times.

If it's really really filthy (which it is sometimes as I ride in crappy weather) I use a degreaser (in the UK we get some stuff called 'gunk' or 'jizer') which I work into all the fiddly little areas with an old paintbrush. This stuff gets nearly all the built up crap off everything, I also use it on the wheels (back wheel usually covered in chain lube so all the muck sticks to it) and work it in with the paintbrush, try not to get too much on the tyres though (nearly impossible actually, just make sure you rinse it all off though).

I'll then use a bucket of soap and water (with a sponge ) for all the paintwork and plastics, and then use a hosepipe to rinse it all off, the degreaser comes off easily as long as you don't let it dry.

If you're using a 'high pressure' washer be a bit careful where you point it as you could knacker your wheel bearings if you direct the nozzle into the wheel hubs.

Then I just let it dry off and use ordinary car polish on the paintwork/plastic and check the chain slack and relube the chain.

Don't worry about water on the clocks/gauges etc (unless it's high pressure), I chuck water all over mine when I'm cleaning it, and I've ridden in torrential rain, never had a problem.

[mikem317]

You can use water on the guages. All of which should be water-sealed, but I use a low-pressure stream from the hose. I wash mine probably once a month, or whenever I do an oil change, chain, etc. Conventional car wash solution and clean rag. Wiped dry. Honda Polish on everything except mirrors and windshield, use Honda Glass Cleaner on those. WD-40 on rims.

[shamster]

Thanks...so the simple solution for parts like the engine area, chain, etc is just to spray with water and wipe down the best you can? I don't want to get too into degreasers, very specialized cleaning techniques, etc.

[bomma]

Originally Posted by shamster

Thanks...so the simple solution for parts like the engine area, chain, etc is just to spray with water and wipe down the best you can? I don't want to get too into degreasers, very specialized cleaning techniques, etc.

yup, just use car shampoo and water, then hose it down after and leave to dry. It really is that simple

don't worry about getting water everywhere, it really doesn't matter.

[J0HNK]

With a hose???

[bomma]

Originally Posted by J0HNK

With a hose???

yeah, a hosepipe, as in a tubular length of rubber attached to a tap.

Why is that so strange ?

[mikem317]

Originally Posted by bomma

yup, just use car shampoo and water, then hose it down after and leave to dry. It really is that simple

don't worry about getting water everywhere, it really doesn't matter.

I usually wipe it dry with a leather chamois or clean diaper or some rag. You'll get water spots on the windshield and fairings if you don't dry it well. Of course, Honda Shine and Polish after helps out with that!

[21 natas]

I just use soap and water and clean it w/a towel and dry it. Then I'll use honda polish to go back over the bike.

[mercutio80]

Be careful with high pressure hoses. I know a guy who ripped his seat by spraying high pressure water on it.