2 of the best tools for washing your bike.

Energy One

Mario77746

Active Member
After getting rained on for 2 days in Daytona and 1,100 miles in 4 days, my bike was filthy. I figured I would be cleaning it for days. I went out and bought 2 items to help. Here they are.

Wheel Cleaner from AutoZone - $4


Total Cycle Cleaner S100 - Local Harley Dealership $15


I sprayed this stuff on everything and let it sit for about 5 seconds then blasted it with the jet stream on my garden hose. Holy crap batman!:eek: This stuff really works. My aluminum was actually shinning again. All of the grime and road rash was gone. I then used the wheel brush on every inch of my bike (except for the tins). This thing was great. I could bend it any way I needed it and it was small enough to get in the tightest spots but big enough to do the wheels with. I used it on the engine, the trans, in between the engine and trans, frame, bars, forks, starter, pulley, brake calipers, wheels and underneath everywhere. For $4 bucks, I trashed it once I was done but am going to buy a few next time I’m at Autozone. After all of that, I used some Mothers car wash soap and a sponge to go over everything again. Then the leaf blower came out for a quick dry. Then the air compressor for those hard to reach areas. Then a quick 20 min rip to make sure she ran ok.
 

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
But that requires water.

In the 2 going into my 3rd year of owning my bike... its only seen water twice. Once in a huge rain storm and the hose the following day. Otherwise.. No water on the dog!
 

Reaper

Well-Known Member
But that requires water.

In the 2 going into my 3rd year of owning my bike... its only seen water twice. Once in a huge rain storm and the hose the following day. Otherwise.. No water on the dog!
Chris, how do you get the dust, and grime off without scratching the finish?
 

T.Byrd

Well-Known Member
Im like Gas Man if mine see any water its because I got caught in the rain
or from washing the road dirt off from getting caught in the rain. I think twice.
 

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
Its very bad... if you must... cover the hand controls with baggies and tape tight. Avoid under the tank and around the battery box/seat area. Basically around anything electrical... which is all over the place...

Understand... its not a piece of crap either. There is always trade offs with everything.

More power = less reliability
cool look, small wires, hidden connecotrs = touchy electrical

If you want it to be water proof like a harley be prepared for the wiring to be all "in your face" like a harley. Don't believe it... look closer at a new HD and sit your dog next to one... HUGE difference in cosmetics as far as wiring.
 

Cutter

Well-Known Member
Its very bad... if you must... cover the hand controls with baggies and tape tight. Avoid under the tank and around the battery box/seat area. Basically around anything electrical... which is all over the place...
I get caught in the rain too f'ing much... I don't know if you heard Big Daddy dogging on me for bringing my bike in, but he says I got the record for the 2 dirtiest bikes they've ever had in... :zzsorry:

#1 - last year when my heim joints got all f'ed up in the storm after Easyrider Rodeo, and my clutch cable broke enroute to pick up the heims.
#2 - in January we had some 40 degree weather, so I put on 100 miles before I dropped it off for the warranty work, way too much melting snow and potholes.
:here:

Gas' How To helps prevent problems - how-where-shrink-wrap-your-wires
I cover the controls and the speedo with plasic bags and 4" bungeee's...

after getting caught in the rain I always try to dry the "problem area's" and "unbaked on area's" the best that I can before I put it to bed at night.

I end up carefully washing mine with water 4-5 times per year...

Usually only have problems when I get caught in the rain - speedo lights get jacked around, turn signals, neutral, oil light...
a day or 2 in the summer and it clears up...
 

waternazzi

Active Member
Hey guys i use S100 on the harley and on the bigdog.it does an awesome job on the motor,wheels,paint it takes off anything and has'nt fucked anything.i usually buy it 1.5 gallon or(5 liters)at a time.
 

Reaper

Well-Known Member
The times that I have washed my bike, I do like Gas Man says, I cover the hand controls, speedo, and the battery, and electrical box in plastic bags. Have not had any issues at all. I only wash it maybe 2 times a year, so far. But would like to cut that down to 1 time to none.

Also been lucky, and never got caught in the rain.
 

lee

Well-Known Member
when you live in England - if you don't ride in the rain you don't ride - I hose mine occasionally and dry it with a blaster straight after - never had a problem - touch wood!
 

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
be carefull with the blaster lee... you can actually "blast" water into places you don't want
 
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