| Author | Message | ||
     Double |
Mornin' Fellas, Quick question for yinz. I bought a City X back in May and I was wondering what you guys use to wash/clean your Buell. I have some S100 that I got at the shop (opinions?). Thanks for your help. Dave | ||
| Slaughter |
S100 is really good. After today's ride, it'll be what I will be using (still haven't cleaned the bike after last week's run to Laguna Seca and she's looking a bit un-cared for) DO NOT USE ON HOT BIKE PARTS!!! I have heard that if the sprayed stuff hits a hot motor or case, you never get it off - so I've always cleaned after a few hours of cool-down. Good choice - and if you have a high velocity water squirter, it'll go much better when you spray it off. I use one of those brass nozzles with the tiny hole that shoot water like a freaking rifle! | ||
| Teeps |
Slaughter Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 <snip> and if you have a high velocity water squirter, it'll go much better when you spray it off. I use one of those brass nozzles with the tiny hole that shoot water like a freaking rifle! Not good. The last thing you want is water injected into the bike's bearings and such. | ||
| Chris_in_tn |
I have been using charliesoap.com for quite a while with good results. And it is much cheaper than S100. I use their general purpose cleaner. They use to have a product called "motorcycle cleaner" but even they admitted on their web site it was the same product as their "general purpose" cleaner just in a container marked motorcycle. Good stuff none the less. | ||
| Jaimec |
If S100 hits a hot painted metal part, it'll take the paint right off. Don't ask how I know. Everything is good if the bike is cool. As a precaution, if it's a hot day, hose the bike down with cold water BEFORE spraying on the S100... | ||
| Diablobrian |
Never use a high pressure washer on a motorcycle. Hand washing with a mild soap is the best way to get the bike clean. I do not recommend the use of compressed air for drying either. I have a dog dryer that has a small heating element and a flexible hose that works quite nicely to dry the bike. There are any number of waxes and polishes that will finish things off. | ||
| Jandj_davis |
I've said it before, but that S100 is nothing more than re-packaged general purpose kitchen cleaner/grease cutter. Get yourself some 409 cleaner, spray it on, let it sit for a minute or two, then spray it off. It works just as well, and is a whole lot cheaper. | ||
| Irideabuell |
I use Crystal-Glo products to clean and polish my Lightning. They work well. I order mine from their web site. They have a full line of strictly motorcycle cleaning and detailing products. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I've been using Harley sun wash & a sponge & various sized soft bristle brushes. If the engine needs it, I'll spray it with S100 & use an enormous overkill amount of water to rinse it off. If the stuff stays on & dries it can cause mild corrosion. (It did on my Sporty) Then I'll dry off the easy to reach areas with a micro fiber towel then I'll start the engine & let it run for 5 minutes or so to evaporate the water in those hard to reach places. Someone on this board, I can't remember who suggested using Pledge on the plastics. On the solid color plastics. Nothing was said about it working or not working on the clear plastics. I tried it yesterday & all I can say is Wow! I'm a believer. Lemon fresh Pledge works really well on a black airbox cover, fly screen & front fender. On edit: I've had my bike for a year and almost three months & I think I've only washed it three times. The second time was really more like a sponge bath. This last one took me a couple hours. after getting back from Laguna she was a really dirty girl. (In the literal sense of the word  ) It seems 99% of the time I'll take her out with the intention of cleaning her and I'll end up riding instead. (Message edited by metalstorm on July 30, 2006) | ||
| No_rice |
dish soap, water, and one of those nylon bristled scrub brushes all over everywhere. oh wait that probably only works well on my bodywork...  | ||
| Sparky |
I recommend the products sold by Adams Polishes for the best, long lasting finish. Probably overkill for a motorcycle, but I use his car-wash detergent followed by his clay-bar treatment, then Revive Polish and Butter Wax. Then for the black plastic parts, there's VRT dressing. I know, it's expensive, but after 43k miles, my '03 XB9r looks almost brand new. Sparky | ||
| Xb9ser |
Wash a Buell? whats that, they were built to ride not shine in driveway. i wash mine about once amonth with carwash liquid and allwheel cleaner. I am more woried about riding than looking pretty. | ||
| Slaughter |
I'm NOT talking high pressure but garden hose with small nozzle. BIG difference - you DEFINITELY DO NOT WANT TO USE HIGH PRESSURE!!! High velocity water, not high pressure. The brass hose fitting with about 1/8 inch hole. Keep it away from electrical. My only problem is finding the time to wash it - or the motivation at the end of the day. Quarter to 8 tonight (Sunday) and it looks like I get to put it off another week. | ||
| Xb9ser |
Wash a Buell? whats that, they were built to ride not shine in driveway. i wash mine about once amonth with carwash liquid and allwheel cleaner. I am more woried about riding than looking pretty. | ||
| Slaughter |
OK cut me some slack Xb9ser!  I fully washed the bike last night for the FIRST TIME in 2 years. I've been kinda spraying and wiping once in a while but last night really cleaned the hidden gack and road splash residue from all those hidden spots under the seat, behind the battery, swingarm... yuck. I do have to say that on heavy crud, the S100 really didn't work really well and because it dries so fast, I spent a lot of time getting mad. I ended up using Turtle Wax was stuff to do a final cleanup. Still not pleased with any non-petroleum based degreaser. | ||
| Jerseybuell |
Simple Green. Biodegradable and inexpensive. Use it on almost everything. Simple. Green. | ||
| Tleighbell |
I have had good results with Simple Green for degreasing. Non-petroleum, environmentally friendly. Spray on, use a brush to disolve dirt and grease and rinse. They also make a car wash which you mix with water. Works for me. | ||
| Debueller |
Mine seldom gets a proper washing. It cuts into my ridin' time. It's a Uly thing. | ||
| Slaughter |
SIMPLE GREEN!! Duuuhhhh! Why didn't I think of that!!?? They even use it to clean the track surface at Willow Springs when somebody has spilled oil. I'm all over that! | ||
| Thumper2811 |
}!!!SIMPLE GREEN!!!} | ||
| Punkid8888 |
I have gone though a couple gallons of that stuff, it works wonders. I redid the entire front end of my project truck (72 Dodge D100) and it helps to cut through all the greese and grime. I use it on everything, I even wash my hands with it after working on something | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Windex & paper towels after every ride. I know, .....I'm anal retentive. | ||
| Jaimec |
I've had way too many people in the know who warn me AGAINST Simple Green, especially on aluminum and plastic. I forget the reasons, but I respect the people who've advised me against it. | ||
| Elff |
For the Airbox cover and windscreen, I used Novus 1 and 2 It kept them clean and clear. Even removed some gas spots I got on them. | ||
| Slaughter |
From Simple Green website: Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green on aluminum? Simple Green products have been successfully and safely used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: Aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green or Crystal Simple Green can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times of All-Purpose Simple Green and Crystal Simple Green with unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green/Crystal Simple Green residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation. I'd bet that it could cause some spotting and possibly corrosion if left in contact with aluminum. | ||
| Xb12rdude |
GREASE CUTTING  That will be the death of your bearings. Get any old car wash that states "wont remove wax and luster finish". NONONONO to grease removing spray for cleaning entire bike. I had a blue 98 R1 a few years back and cleaned it about everyday because my alum. rims got break dust like crazy. My wheel bearings went out, basically because I was using dish soap (cuts grease). Anywho, learn from my stupidity please. | ||
| Endobrian |
Simple green for bike and cars. Yeah, don't use on bearings. (like anyone here would do that anyway). | ||
| Fenderacoustic |
I use the same stuff I use to wash my car. Bucket wash with regular car wash solution and my assortment of brushes, rags, sqeegies, etc. A nice tip I learned is that the spray on tire shine works wonders on your black plastic bits. Just be sure to cover any painted areas. | ||
| Lorazepam |
I let the dealer wash it. They freak out when they see all the bugs and dirt and dust on my Uly. They wash it when I go by to get filters and stuff. I will clean it up when time to do maintenance,I dont want dirt getting in where it shouldnt be. I would rather ride than clean. | ||
| Jaimec |
I still say let a bunch of hot college chicks in a sorority wash it for charity:  | ||
| Vaneo1 |
I use a bucket with hot water and simple green. for the plastics I uses beleive it or not, lemon scented furniture polish, or meguires wax/ cleaner. Both made my bike look like it did when it was up on the pedistal in the showroom. Ah, good times good times | ||
| Pwnzor |
Every time I see teenage girls washing a motorcycle I get a chill down my spine. I just can't let anybody else do it. The only exception is I used to pay a friend of mine $150 to detail it (because he's poor, has kids, and won't accept charity). But then he moved away, so I'm not driving that far to get my bike cleaned. I will say this about my previous method, I have never gotten it as clean as he did. On the subject of pressure washers, a very low pressure unit is ok. I have an attachment for my air compressor, it mixes input from the water and air hoses, fully adjustable so I can dial in the pressure. I keep it around 20-40psi and don't get any closer than 8 or 10 inches to the bike, spraying from a 45 degree angle. It helps to get the packed in dirt out of the cooling fins on the motor with a very fine mist. I run the hose to the hosebib on the water heater. That way I get an "almost steam" clean.  (Message edited by pwnzor on August 04, 2006) (Message edited by pwnzor on August 04, 2006) | ||
| Road_thing |
What is this thing you call "wash?" rt | ||
| Fl_a1a |
Nothing beats Lemon Pledge for wood on the Buell plastics. I used Novus 2 and got swirls. The Lemon Pledge filled in the swirl marks. The plastic looks better than when I took it off the show room. | ||
| Bads1 |
Lemon pledge also put a build up on your plastic. NOT GOOD!!! Best I've tried is Honda's spray polish. No doubt it works very very good. | ||
| Odinbueller |
The translucid body parts require a bit more care when cleaning. I wouldn't use a polish uless it's OK'd in the owner's manual. Usuall for the surlyn & translucid parts, S100, then Novus for scratch removal. | ||
| Cactus_dave |
I use the local high pressure car washer on rinse mode, works like a charm  |
