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Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through April 23, 2013 » Oo-Err. Cleaned the bike? « Previous Next »

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Uly_man
Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2013 - 03:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

NOT something I do as a rule, as lazy, but Winter had left salt on the bike so thought it needed doing.

Sprayed the bike with soppy water with one of those hand type bottle things. Brushed it over with a soft brush and washed the bike off with clean water. Wiped over everything with a rag with ACF-50 on it. A real easy job and the bike came up like new and close to showroom condition? Half an hour and cost next to NOTHING.

The only hard part are the wheels but I did them on a tire change. No idea why but dirt seems to "bond" to the paint and you have to near "polish it" off. The paint seems like it has a "porous" surface to it.

I continue to be amazed at the "core build" of the bike and I ride it in all weather/conditions all year? In this respect it is the best bike I have ever had. 10 out of 10 I would say. A lot of bikes start to look "scruffy" after 3 or 4 years.

Oh the point was? Its good to have a bike thats so easy to clean. Simple, cheap to buy and easy to maintain. Cheap to insure, good on gas/MPG and does 50% more than most bikes on rubber. Handles like a sports bike, if you want but with none of the problems of there type, can crusie with the best of them, works great on crap highways and will even "off road" a bit. And a good chance you will get 10 years plus out of it and it will still be a worth while bike even on its basic build.

(Message edited by Uly_man on April 07, 2013)
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Idaho_buelly
Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2013 - 04:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

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Etennuly
Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2013 - 06:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

YEP! I always said one of the best thing about the Uly is the colors of the frame and wheels match the colors of natural road dirt and grime.

The powder coat on the frame and wheels is porous. It will hold dirt and such. Cleaning with strong soaps or degreasers can actually make the dirt harder to remove as it drives it into the surface. Bike or car wash soaps as well as dish soaps work well. Stay away from harsher chemical cleaners and brake cleaner and the like. It can melt the surface and what ever is on it will likely melt into it.

These things do shine up quite well. Hard to believe my Uly is seven years old! Still rides like a new one at 60,000 miles.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2013 - 09:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I cleaned my S1W today (still have yet to wash the Uly...and I've owned it since new!). Given that it's white/white/white...it can be a bear. But my tried-and-true cleaner worked wonders as always. 50/50 mix, Simple Green and water. Cuts through the crap, doesn't spot or streak (but don't use it in full sun or on hot metal...a rule for me with any cleaner).

As Vern noted, the powdercoat on the Uly frame and wheels is matte finish ("porous" is misleading). I've had good luck on my CR - same wheels, same finish, different color - with the simple green concoction. The worse the gunk, the longer I let it sit (or the stronger I mix it).
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Uly_man
Posted on Tuesday, April 09, 2013 - 04:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The rest of the bike is fine its just the wheels and it was the same on the 06 bike. I have not had this before on any bike.
Its not a real big deal though.
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Biffdotorg
Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - 12:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I find that the wheels are covered in brake dust more than anything. Spray on, rinse off wheel cleaners seem to be the easiest for getting that gunk off.

There are a number of options in the auto detailing section of most stores. Some of the foaming ones you can actually see it lifting that crap off the wheels before rinsing. Just be careful as it may stain your driveway
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