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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through June 24, 2008 » Best Way to Clean Firebolt Rims? « Previous Next »

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Hooch1
Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 06:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My rims drive me plumb loco when I handwash my bike. What is the easiest way to clean them? Are there any brushes you use that gently clean them and can hit all those crazy nooks and crannies?

I avoid anything more than dusting them with one of those disposable household dusters on a stick but sometimes I gotta wash them. I thank you and my aching back thanks you, too!
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Badlionsfan
Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 07:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

that wheel cleaner at the self serve car washes works pretty good for me, you just can't let them go too long before you clean them. i wash my whole bike at the car wash actually. spend 50 cents on the throw away towel to dry and ride away. you should see the looks i get.
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Bads1
Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 07:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Power washer's and motorcycles don't mix.
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Rogue_biker
Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 08:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I normally wash my Firebolt using a hose and a very gentle stream of water. Then I spray it with a good motorcycle cleaner/degreaser that's widely available at your local Cycle Gear store. Then I hose it off again. This includes the wheels. Finally, I wipe it dry with about two towels. The first is to get most of the water out. The second is to get the final moisture out. I get to the nooks and crannies of my wheels by using the towels.

That is the only way to keep those wheels clean. Dry brushing won't do much.
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Badlionsfan
Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 08:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

the only this i use the high pressure for is the wheels and bugs on the screen an head lights. the rest of the bike i don't pull the trigger, just use the fine, low pressure spray that comes out that way.
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Ezblast
Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 10:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Be careful of hitting your wheel bearings while its on high.
EZ
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Speedfreaks101
Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 10:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

PLEXUS!!!
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Badlionsfan
Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 10:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

EZ-

I just go around the perimeter of the wheel on high.
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Paint_shaker
Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 10:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

<~~~~It's time consuming, but the best way is to hand wash. I then use a leaf blower for drying.

I used to use a product called Bike Bright. But I found over time, it caused the wrinkle black on my Springer to come off. I also think it degrades the gaskets, but this is just a SWAG* on my part.

*SWAG= Scientific Wild Azz Guess
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Zoedogg1
Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 01:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I use a hose with a nozzle. First I cover certain parts with syran? wrap. I then spray a light coat of S100 engine cleaner on the bike and the wheels and brakes (not the bearings) This stuff eat most all the oil, grease, and dirt off. I do rinse it off with plenty of pressure since I have everything "not water friendly" covered. I got it at our local Harley shop and it works awesome. Very important to follow directions though. I then blast it with air off my compressor, then towel the rest. Works great for me and no problems. The S100 cleans the wheels really well though, they sparkle like new every time.
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Hooch1
Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 02:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks for all the ideas, guys. I'm a hand washer and I avoid the high-pressure sprays but it sounds like that, along with engine degreaser used carefully, may get those hard-to-reach spoke nooks clean. I have thin fingers but I still can't get my fingers and a towel in some tight places.

Have a great weekend!!!
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Firebolt32
Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 01:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It's time consuming, but the best way is to hand wash. I then use a leaf blower for drying.

+1 on that. I found my air compressor works pretty well to dry it as well.
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Lonexb
Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 02:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i powder coated my rims flat black. the dirtier the get the better they look.(as long as no one touches them and makes clean marks)

brian
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Corporatemonkey
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 05:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Since I have black wheels I don't clean them very often. But when I do I use a tea towel (hand towel?) and sort of floss the wheels.

It is the only way I am able to do it without cutting my hands to shreds.
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Jos51700
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 08:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I took the wheels off, and used a gentle mag wheel cleaner in the kitchen sink, with a toothbrush for some VERY dirty, never-washed wheels, and it did okay. The trick to getting clean is, as mentioned, keeping it clean.
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Swordsman
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 02:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The spokes are the real PITA.... hard to reach in and get all those right angles. Especially the hollows in the rear spokes, with all the guards and sprockets and whatnot to reach around.

~SM
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Ratbuell
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 04:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Do what I do - don't wash it.

I have 2 tubers with white Marchesini wheels. They drive me crazy enough what with having to put the bike on the pit bulls so I can spin the wheels to get to all points...my Uly gets "washed" when I ride in the rain lol.

And +1 on the "clean spots" comment above. I've yelled at techs to make sure not to leave any clean spots on my bike when they service it. Usually they'll hit a mud puddle on the road test just to cover 'em up : )
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Zoedogg1
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 06:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

As far as the rear goes, it is much, MUCH easier if the bike is on a rear stand. all you have to do is turn the wheel as you go. Same with the front one Im sure, but I dont have a front stand. Just roll the whole bike forward a foot and your good.
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Barker
Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 09:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)


asdasd
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Paint_shaker
Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 09:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Is that what you would call a "rim job"??? ROFLMAO!!!
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Barker
Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 10:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

good one shaker!

never saw that one coming!


gsdfgs
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Specialed
Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 10:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

^^ now that's just disturbing...
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Speedfreaks101
Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 10:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

So how did she get brake dust on her left foot?
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Froggy
Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 11:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Paint_shaker, i had to google that one! Thanks for corrupting me! : )
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Lovematt
Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 09:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I use a couple of kitchen scrub brushes (all plastic) with a 75 degree or so bend along with the cleaner (simple green cut down about 50%). One of the brushes has the bristles cut to about 1/2 long to get between the front spokes and inside the rear spoke pockets. The other brush with "stock" bristles is used for the rest of the wheel and getting between the gaps between the front disk and the rim.

No need to use high pressure at all...just a shower of water from a nozzle to rinse off the cleaner and dirt.
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Azxb9r
Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 04:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You guys wash your bikes?
I have found that I can't see how dirty my rims are when I am riding.
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