Any tips/advice on making the engine/transmission nice and shiny?  Going at it with a hose and soap doesn't seem like it'd be a great idea.

I'm starting to get the bike ready for the spring, and the bike it kinda dirty.  The tank and body are easy enough to clean, but how about the engine?

If your into chemicals, spray some degreaser and let sit for a bit, then hose off. You can also use a 3M green scrubber for extra bling.   For general cleaning it's hard to beat Simple Green.

Server went wacky 

If you have an air compressor you can get one of these things. It hooks up to the air hose, and has another little hose that you put into the cleaner, then it pretty much blasts the cleaner at it with some pressure. I've never tried one since my compressor is in the basement and I think I could just spray dirt all over the place, but it seems like an ok idea. Either way it's only $12





http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jspStoreDir=hdus&catalogId=10053&productId=100074261&navFlow=3&keyword=engine+cleaner&langId=-1&searchRedirect=engine+cleaner&storeId=10051&endecaDataBean=com.homedepot.sa.el.wc.integration.endeca.EndecaDataBean%4036b26475&ddkey=THDStoreFinder

Quote from: VSG on March 05, 2010, 01:36:42 PM
Any tips/advice on making the engine/transmission nice and shiny?  Going at it with a hose and soap doesn't seem like it'd be a great idea.

I'm starting to get the bike ready for the spring, and the bike it kinda dirty.  The tank and body are easy enough to clean, but how about the engine?

soft, soft car washing mits and wax afterwards. go very gentle on it with the rubbing / polishing. the deeper the gouges from whatever, the harder to make them go away.

i like to towel off the bike after a nice soft washing. maybe wax... ah hell i'm lying, i never wax it. i just ride it (or really, truthfully, oonly cover it and never ride it)

:

Quote from: tt_four on March 05, 2010, 05:13:49 PM
If you have an air compressor you can get one of these things. It hooks up to the air hose, and has another little hose that you put into the cleaner, then it pretty much blasts the cleaner at it with some pressure. I've never tried one since my compressor is in the basement and I think I could just spray dirt all over the place, but it seems like an ok idea. Either way it's only $12





http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jspStoreDir=hdus&catalogId=10053&productId=100074261&navFlow=3&keyword=engine+cleaner&langId=-1&searchRedirect=engine+cleaner&storeId=10051&endecaDataBean=com.homedepot.sa.el.wc.integration.endeca.EndecaDataBean%4036b26475&ddkey=THDStoreFinder

Motorcycles should NOT be pressure washed. Way too many tiny seals and whatnot for water to penetrate due to the pressure.

Get out the banister brush and some soapy water and use elbow grease. Then gently hose off 

Michael

I've always heard/read that motorcycle engines and pressure washers do not mix.

Bringing this thread back to life...

I need to give my engine a bath (lots of gunk from a leaking valve cover gasket).  I also have wrapped pipes, so I don't really want to hose them off too.  I was thinking of removing the pipes, then hosing it down.  I could tape off the exhaust ports, I guess.  I would take off the carbs too and tape that off.  Is tape going to be enough?  How worried do I have to be about the water getting inside the motor?

-SPiNNeR-

I know for certain that pressure washers and wheel bearings don't mix.

Two products I've used:

Pedro's Green Fizz Foaming Bike Wash. While sold for non-motorized bikes (aka bicycles) it works just fine on any kind of bike. Doesn't harm plastics or detail stickers.

3M Care care Foaming Engine Degreaser. Available at auto parts stores.

For the pipes, get some saran wrap and duct tape. The carbs, well, they should be water resistant to begin with. But a plastic bag can go a long way.

Good suggestion from Big Rich.

Also, remember to re-lube things after a good degreasing. Don't forget to re-oil the chain.

I just use a bit of kerosene on a rag and an old toothbrush for the nooks and crannys. Toothbrush and kero works well cleaning your chain as well. Just make sure you put a heap of old newspaper or cardboard under your bike. It can get messy.

Quote from: Twisted on September 26, 2010, 03:09:16 AM
I just use a bit of kerosene on a rag and an old toothbrush for the nooks and crannys. Toothbrush and kero works well cleaning your chain as well. Just make sure you put a heap of old newspaper or cardboard under your bike. It can get messy.

I agree........you can control where you clean and not mess up anything.......kero is great solvent for engine gunky dirt.

Cookie

I guess I could bring myself to actually cleaning the engine instead of just hosing it off. I'm sure it would look better. Thanks for the tips.

-SPiNNeR-