How to clean years of gunk from the bottom of the bike?

[TundraOG]

Hey guys.
My Gs is pretty clean to the untrained eye, but she has some gunk in the rear shock and swingarm area, plus behind the spark plugs on the engine block.
So far I've had her at a bike power wash twice, cleaned what I could with carb cleaner and a hot water soaked rag. I don't want to use carb cleaner near the chain in fear it may damage the O rings, so how do I get in there? I'd rather not remove the rear wheel by the way.

[ShowBizWolf]

Soon after I got my GS I spent hours cleaning everything... including all that gunk you're referring to! Omg it must have been years and years worth of chain lube and road dirt and oil from where the cct was leaking, etc. Gross!!

It took me a while, lots of patience and time laying on the ground but I used all kinds of things. Lestoil in a spray bottle and a tooth brush, brake cleaner and a rag (spraying that stuff on the extra cruddy parts of the lower engine and swing arm really helped cut through the layers of crud), many many many q-tips and regular ol' water from the hose. After I was done I cleaned the chain with WD-40 and sprayed it with chain lube.

Some of those parts around the shock and center stand really are a PITA to reach!

[sledge]

I never use a pressure washer on a bike

Water gets forced past seals and into bearings, electrical parts and connectors. But if you are happy to take the chance go for it 

Just find a water soluble degreasing solution or engine cleaner. I use Gunk......if you can find it. Park over some waste ground cos it will make a mess. brush it on, leave it for 15 and rinse it off with a sponge. You may have to do it 2 or 3 times to get everything off and keep it away from the paintwork.

[ShowBizWolf]

Ooooh sledge that's a good one... Gunk works well, I didn't think of that one!

[Janx101]

Rear wheel, shock, guards (various) and even the swingarm aren't really all that hard to remove, clean and reinstall! ... "its the only way to be sure!" ...

You might even spot a bush or bolt or thingy that needs replacing!

A milk crate or similar sized wood block (if you don't trust the crate) is a near perfect ad hoc chassis stand!

Every bike workshop should have a few milk crates around! .. handy dandy free seats they are! At the right height for many tasks bike related!

[qcbaker]

I never use a pressure washer on a bike

Water gets forced past seals and into bearings, electrical parts and connectors. But if you are happy to take the chance go for it 

Just find a water soluble degreasing solution or engine cleaner. I use Gunk......if you can find it. Park over some waste ground cos it will make a mess. brush it on, leave it for 15 and rinse it off with a sponge. You may have to do it 2 or 3 times to get everything off and keep it away from the paintwork.

I agree with sledge here. Pressure washing a bike seems risky to me. Haven't personally used Gunk so I can't speak to that.