washing your bike

[mrdozer2you]

what do you guys use to lube the chain?

No chain to lube.....Belt.

 

[Thaloc]

I service my belt with 100mph daily, seems to keep it in good shape.

 

[Blue70]

Avoid using water as much as possible (except for wheels). There is a lot of brands of spay-on wash out there just search online. A long time ago I learned the hard way and washed one of my bikes with water and started having all kinds of electrical problems.

What the heck do you do in the rain???

I ride rain or shine, (as long as it's above 32deg)
and my bike sits outside...
it gets washed when it rains

 

[gotboost2jz]

Sorry to bring a thread back from the dead. Didn't want to start a whole new one.

Since our bikes have unpainted plastics, and many automotive waxes suggest not using it on unpainted surfaces, what does everyone use to polish/wax with after washing? Just trying to preserve the color a little, add a little shine, and try to cover up swirls as best possible. You can tell the black on my plastic is starting to loose a little color when compared to where my "firebolt" decals used to be.

 

[Rhino1]

Honda polish or Protectall, and wd40 on the wheels. Keeps it clean, shiny, and easy to wipe down. I very rarely hose my bike down (because it can wreak havoc with the electrics if done too much).

Been doing it his way for years, and my bikes sparkle. [smirk][up]

 

[gotboost2jz]

Is Honda polish a car wax or something specifically for their bikes? I assume you could get it at a Honda power-sports store.

 

[sewerman]

Be very CAREFUL(!)when using Armour-All on any bike tire. Even if you don't think you got any on the treads, centrifical force can spread it to the tread. Wipe all excess off! Don't ask me how I know!

 

[oh9bolt]

I black magic my tires, looks good while it sits in the garage.

So fresh and so clean!

 

[Rhino1]

Honda Polish is Made for bikes/power sports, and available in most bike shops and dealers. Good stuff, although I prefer ProtectAll slightly. They're both great "no water" bike cleaning solutions, especially when used with a micro fiber cloth.

 

[mtnmason]

Mother's Instant Detailer nets me pretty decent results. I've heard plenty of guys say Plexus is tops but havent tried it myself

 

[GOduc]

my bike get the good ole fashioned bucket and suds every other ride or so, or every third ride, and always the detailing spray in between rides

 

[vve are the end]

Anybody using degreaser for heavy build up on engine/metals?

 

[NwRider]

I mist her, soak her dirty bits with super clean, crack open a tasty beverage, drink it, hose her off, dry her, polish her up with Honda polish. Best product ever... And it smells like strippers.

 

[user_deleted]

a "bike wash" like S100 or CycleCleaner works wonderfully on cycles including our buells. you have to follow directions with these cleaners of course but they work great and at about $10 per litre spray bottle i get about 15 washes out of 1 container. a good non-abrasive polish or wax works well on Buell plastics. to each his own but i don't like using anything like CRC or WD40 penetrant on or near the wheels as you run the risk of getting some on the pads or rotors or tires, none of which is recommended. and be careful spraying alot of water into the handlebar switchgear or lever pivot areas as it causes problems.

 

[oh9bolt]

I only use Meguiars Quik Detail.

I just tried S100 engine brightner and it is rather amazing. The motor looks brand new.

 

[HDGarage]

S100, this stuff works great. Spray on with bike cold then let sit for a couple of minutes then just spray it off. Use it you will be sold on it. Easy as heck.