| Author | Message | ||
     Tweekin2 |
I have a question about how to clean/polish parts while still on the bike. In particular the swingarm, cases, and rockers. I have lots of spare time, but ride almost every day. I have tried all kinds of cleaners, but it just looks dull and stained. I am not looking for a mirror finish, but would like it to look better than it does. Every time I put a new part on, the old stuff just looks older. I also just swapped on an X1 front end this weekend. What do you think?   | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Forks look great, like they belong there from the start. Good luck on polishing anything properly while on the the bike, but I've found simple green, copious amounts of water and baby bottle brushes and tooth brushes help for reaching those tight places. The tank is pretty easy to take off, or at least slip out of the way so you can really get at the rocker boxes to clean up. Not sure if this will get those streaks off the cam cases and swingarm, I've also got a wheel cleaning brush from the autozone I use for a lot of detailing, it gets the case behind the pipe pretty well. | ||
| Tdman77 |
Some fine steel wool and a good degreaser. I have heard Gunk orange cleaner works great and wont leave streaks. Trust me don't start polishing, one part leads to another and another and another. | ||
| Midnight_rider |
harbor freight has a motorcycle polishing kit,i think i paid around 21.00 comes with everything. works with a drill works great if you take your time | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
For cleaning Greased Lightning is the best thing I've ever seen. It comes in an orange bottle and for some applications needs to be diluted, but for getting off road grime, grease, etc I just use it full strength. It's all natural ingredients too so you don't have to worry about it reacting with anything, or polluting the environment if you care about that kind of thing  As for polishing, it is going to be impossible without removing parts. Just like Tdman said, polish one part and you'll have to polish it all. 3 months ago I started a simple rebuild and now $1500 worth of polishing later I think the only aluminum parts on the bike that haven't been touched are the fork tubes and triple trees. It's cheaper to do it yourself of course but I've never been that patient.. | ||
| Tweekin2 |
Thanks for the tips. I will try it this weekend. I agree completely, one thing leads to another. Cheers - Cory | ||
| Koz5150 |
I say, go crazy and have fun. It is worth it in the end. | ||
| Koz5150 |
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| Koz5150 |
Poished rims, forks, swingarm, triple trees, and dash. Chrome primary and cam cover, and brake calipers (not in pic). 100+ orange LED lights 99% hidden. 2 track days (one with a 85mph oops) and it is my daily driver when the weather is above 60. (Message edited by koz5150 on April 24, 2009) |
