Bike washing for newbie....
#1
08-12-2005 | 02:13 PM
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Bike washing for newbie....
Hey guys I just bought an F4i and what is the proper method for washing a bike since I have yet to do one? This bike is really dirty and needs a good cleaning! I was thinking of removing the fairings and giving them a good cleaning and wax along with cleaning the internal parts. Can I just use a regular garden hose... what kind of soap do I use? Are there any certain parts of the bike that I should not hit with any water just a degreaser? Do you all recommend any particular degreaser?
Also, are there any tutorials out there on how to change the oil, remove the fairings, tighten the chain, etc... I want to be able to all these things on my own eventually. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Also, are there any tutorials out there on how to change the oil, remove the fairings, tighten the chain, etc... I want to be able to all these things on my own eventually. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
#3
08-12-2005 | 04:05 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
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RE: Bike washing for newbie....
Bikes will not have any problems with water, i live in the UK and regularly the bike gets wet and full of crap. As you get used to cleaning it you`ll probably find your own method of how you like to do it. Me personally:
i use a degreaser/detergent on items like brake calipers swingarm and real wheel to get any chain lube off that has flung off the chain. Then i wet the whole bike to loosen any crap thats on, then wash the whole thing with a Automobile body shampoo, i use autoglym you will have a similar product over there.
Depending on where you are in the US your likely to have a much drier climate than me, so your biggest pain will likely be dead flies on the front. I soak these first before i wash the bike with a wet dish cloth left on the front fairing, wash every thing else first then wash the front, the cloth has normally soaked all the fly jizz and you can wash the remains off easily without scratching your paint.
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a chamois leather. Start the bike on its side stand and let it warm, this will help dry the parts you could`nt reach by hand. Or go for a quick blast. Then when its dry i use a good quality polish to polish the body work. (E.g honda polish) and a metal polish for the exhaust can and the like(e.g Autosol)
Once a year i take all the fairing parts off and clean everything underneath thoroughly.
Do it your way, the important part is to try and not miss anywhere. Although you probably won`t have the corrosion problems the UK climate brings.
i use a degreaser/detergent on items like brake calipers swingarm and real wheel to get any chain lube off that has flung off the chain. Then i wet the whole bike to loosen any crap thats on, then wash the whole thing with a Automobile body shampoo, i use autoglym you will have a similar product over there.
Depending on where you are in the US your likely to have a much drier climate than me, so your biggest pain will likely be dead flies on the front. I soak these first before i wash the bike with a wet dish cloth left on the front fairing, wash every thing else first then wash the front, the cloth has normally soaked all the fly jizz and you can wash the remains off easily without scratching your paint.
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a chamois leather. Start the bike on its side stand and let it warm, this will help dry the parts you could`nt reach by hand. Or go for a quick blast. Then when its dry i use a good quality polish to polish the body work. (E.g honda polish) and a metal polish for the exhaust can and the like(e.g Autosol)
Once a year i take all the fairing parts off and clean everything underneath thoroughly.
Do it your way, the important part is to try and not miss anywhere. Although you probably won`t have the corrosion problems the UK climate brings.
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