washing

[jnicosia]

whats the best way to was the triples? what have you done and any problem with water pressure? I was thinking of the S100 then water pressure to blast off any dirt on the engine and wheels. is washing the bike with water ok?

[rat]

Water? Are you serious? Triumphs are soluble; the factory recommended method is to clean them with a bit of spittle and a toothbrush.

My god, kids today...

Listen, stay away from high pressure washers 'cos you'll clean the bearings of grease and kill the electrics, but that's true of everything except garden tools, patios and garage floors.

Products? I recommend a liberal dosing of common sense, though there are always those that know better...

[IanB]

I use a product called Muck Off, which is intended for cleaning mountain bikes. It's none corrosive and doesn't attack plastics either. I just cover the bike with that, then 5 minutes later I use a power washer, on a low pressure setting and avoid the electrics, bearings and chain. After that I use a high gloss wax on the painted areas (including the wheels), and an acrylic polish on the engine cases. Oil the chain and it's done.

Takes less than an hour.

[Diego]

> I just cover the bike with that, then 5 minutes later I use a power washer, on a low pressure setting and avoid the electrics, bearings and chain.

Avoid the radiator and oil cooler fins as well!

[ken750f]

I wash with water and a mild soap, then for the tougher areas of dirt and grease I use simple green (spot specific), clean the chain, then blow dry with air (actually use my Shop Vac for that - works excellent and gets all the water out of everywhere). Then I polish the paint/frame/wheels/exhaust, use S100 on the engine and hoses and lube the chain.

Have done the same thing with all of my bikes for many (unfortunately many many) years now and have had great results. Actually in the past prior to utlizing S100, I used WD40 on the engine. Worked excellent on my older bikes, but I really like the S100 for my new S3. Seems to keep the dirt off the engine better and doesn't wash off as easily as WD40. I clean my bikes almost every weekend as part of the enjoyment to me of owning a motorcycle and riding one is keeping them looking new and maintaing them well........................ :-D

One more thing..... I heard from my S3 mechanic (best mechanic I have ever come across in all my years of riding thus far)- be carefuul not to get too much water around the spark plugs as the ports will hold water and it will end up messing up your bikes performance. I have read some threads on here about it in the past as well. Just don't spray the water directly on the top of the engine for too long and make sure to "blow" dry the bike with some sort of compressed air or in my case a shop vac.................it's worked for me for many years..................

[ This message was edited by: ken750f on 2005-08-02 13:10 ]

[teacherkeith]

be carefuul not to get too much water around the spark plugs as the ports will hold water and it will end up messing up your bikes performance

I always run the bike for a bit after washing, for lack of a blower, and that certainly dries up any unwanted engine puddles.

[aaronb_dsn]

i use the mr.clean auto dry system. it works great!!!! all i dry is the tank, fly screen (all the plastic) and the cans. i dont even touch the engine it comes out with no water spots at all and i only use one towel!!! kudos to mr. clean!