Dirty Bird

[Erika]

I have been riding this bike like crazy this summer... all over the city, up to the mountains, through storms, over gravel and dirt roads. I have one dirty bike now. I try to keep it clean, but sometimes I'd rather just ride than scrub off grime and grease.  I really should try more, though, since I am noticing some rust on the swing arm and up underneath in the hard-to-reach places. I just use simple green usually. What do you guys use to get that tough grime off?

[ScottishBiker234]

Heavy jobs you can't beat a wire brush, But I tend to use emery cloth for lighter jobs

John

[ScottishBiker234]

Obviously for the plastics and the painted areas... good ol' hot water and soap all the way

[Suzuki Stevo]

This stuff works great on anything greasy/sludge covered, I never run out! 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OBM5EQ/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Erika]

This stuff works great on anything greasy/sludge covered, I never run out! 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OBM5EQ/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

hmm... I do have Amazon Prime. One thing I dislike about the white rims is how hard it is to get the grime off. Especially after lubing the chain on the road after a long ride in the rain.

[007brendan]

Mineral spirits and a couple of soft-bristle brushes.  I used to use kerosene, but mineral spirits are cheaper, easier to find, dry quicker, and works about as good.

[fetor56]

For chain lube on rims simply use mineral turpentine on a soft rag....use anywhere to clean in a non-harsh manner.

[nico]

This stuff is AWESOME:
http://www.whitelightningco.com/products/clean-streak.htm

A local bicycle shop should have it. Ask for White Lightning....they do wax based lube (for bicycles) and that degreaser among other things.

[Suzuki Stevo]

hmm... I do have Amazon Prime. One thing I dislike about the white rims is how hard it is to get the grime off. Especially after lubing the chain on the road after a long ride in the rain.

Before I started using Dupont Motorcycle Degreaser I used WD40 on the rear rim, WD40 is basically Stoddard Solvent IIRC, and doesn't cost nearly as much as the Dupont product.

[Erika]

I bought some of the Dupont degreaser and will try it out. I'll be on a dirt road again this weekend, so when I come back should be a good test. (There's a cabin at the end of the dirt road, in case you were wondering why I would ride a GS500 in the mud.)