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Beachbuell
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 01:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Has anyone found a cleaner that works wonders on the "natural" silver cases and swingarm? My Cyclone has over 35K on it and the original owner wasn't much into cleaning as he was riding. I plan on getting all the silver powder coated black sometime in the future. But, for not I'd like to bring the natural silver back to life. What do you use?
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Buellgekk
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 02:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Use a brush and soak it in lamp oil.
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Aldaytona
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 05:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have a 2000 M2. The cases are easily touched up with Harley-Davidson silver engine spray paint, don't ask me how I know.
Remove the fasteners, tape off the surrounding areas, and wipe off with prep solvent and carefully spray. Looks like it just rolled out of the showroom.
Good luck.
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Blackm2
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 07:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ferris, I use brake cleaner on a rag on mine. Don't spray it directly on as it may start peeling paint off of everything else. I also use the all wheel cleaner from Mequiers on occasion. That stuff scares me though, as it leaves white residue on concrete if not washed off with water right away. Brake cleaner evaporates pretty quick at least. Gets all oils off pretty easily.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 08:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

+1 on brake cleaner
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Mick
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 11:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I use Chem Tech CT18 its a gel wash stuff you mix with water, don't know if you get it over there tho.
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Sgt_hollywood
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 01:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

+1 on Brake cleaner on rag, just be real careful to not get any on gasket material or electrics.

Like said before spray on rag, not direct spray.
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Jayvee
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 01:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Boy, that brake cleaner is heavy duty stuff, isn't there like an S100 degreaser or something less caustic?
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Djkaplan
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 02:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I use some purple spray stuff I got at Wal-Mart. It works great on unpainted aluminum, but I wouldn't use it on cases that are painted silver (some silver cases are actually painted that color). You don't want to get any of this stuff on painted surfaces, it'll dull the clear coat (but the shine can be waxed back).

It cleans bare aluminum like you wouldn't believe.
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Djkaplan
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 02:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

S100 is the best stuff I've ever used. I can't find it anywhere anymore though.
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Buellgekk
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 03:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/S100-Motorcycle-Tot al-Cycle-Cleaner-Harley_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZ p1638Q2em118Q2el1247QQcategoryZ50450QQihZ002QQitem Z120207015011QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V
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Aaomy
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 03:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

i like s 100. around here you can pick it up at the local bike dealerships.. both harley and non..
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Djkaplan
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 04:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ha! I never once thought to check a bike dealership! I found it once, but never could remember where I bought it... it must have been at a dealership.

Thanks!
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Beachbuell
Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 08:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll have to try the S100 stuff.
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Bad_karma
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 05:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I tried the s100, IAW the instruction but end up with water spot looking stains all over the frame. +1 for the brake cleaner.
Joe

(Message edited by bad_karma on May 02, 2008)
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Kilroy
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 06:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Simple Green - spray it on, let it sit and hose it off. Works wonders, cheap and readily available.
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Beachbuell
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 07:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have actually heard bad things about the S100. I know it is acid based and you need to be careful with it. I've heard of spots, discoloration and damage to plastic pieces from it. Thats why I was looking to avoid the S100.
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Road_thing
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 10:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

S100 worked well for me once I learned this:

It's absolutely critical that you rinse every last trace of it off. If you don't, it will leave god-awful spots on paint and polished metal. I think it actually etches the surface--that's probably the acid working.

rt
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Jayvee
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 12:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wow, I thought S100 was the 'safe' cleaner.
Maybe I will try the green stuff.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 02:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Stay away from the purple stuff - if your surface is even remotely warm (i.e. sunlight) it can etch and stain. I ruined (read: removed) the engine finishes in a Shelby that way years ago. Whoops.

That said, I wash every one of my bikes (except the Uly - it doesn't seem to get washed...ever) with a 50/50 mix of simple green and water. Always wash COLD. I hose with water, spray the mix on everything, let sit for a couple minutes (or for a frosty beverage if at home instead of in the wash bay at work), use a mitt to wipe and scrub, and rinse as soon as I wipe (in sections). Full rinse with pure water and a chamois dry on bodywork/framework.

My bikes all still have chrome where it belongs (I do own one HD, lol), the aluminum is still aluminum-y, and the paint still shines. My sensors have not stopped sensing, my tires are not filled with lead or holes, my wheels are not out of balance nor out of round and my fuel does not rot one hour after fillup because I wash the whole bike with simple green, contrary to what many folks may try to tell you. Although I ride in the rain, too...which those same people will tell you is a guaranteed way to get your bike to melt into a bubbling puddle of muck, much like a vampire in the sunlight. <shrug>
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Bluzm2
Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 12:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Simple Green works well, however you MUST rinse it all off or risk spotting.
The spots are very difficult to remove, some never did...
I used a pretty heavy mix for degreasing, it you do the same, rinse throughly and then do it 3 or 4 more times (rinse that is..).
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Bads1
Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 04:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Honda contact cleaner. Just as strong as brake cleaner and it won't harm other surfaces.
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