Triumphrat

Binnsy · 01-23-2006

I ride on some pretty crappy (dirt) roads and get a lot of grit and grime in the nooks and cranny's around the oil cooler and under the front of the motor. Problem is I try really hard to get the carp out so my bike will look like Daz's but no can do. There is always bits I can't get to, I even tried a little paintbrush but couldn't get it all.

I tried to get the Missus and kids involved as their hands are smaller but they just won't cooperate.

I also tried a trained rodent but forgot to take him out last ride, now I have to clean him out!! :-D

You guy's got any special trick to get in the fiddly bits where your fist won't fit??

DickBender · 01-23-2006

Hey Binnsy,
I stole my Mrs' dishwashing brush and another one from the dust pan as well.
I also use a tooth brush.
I use Eagle One "wet" car wash its not real bubbly and sort of clings to the bike. Once its clean and chamoised dry Iget it up on the lifter and I use Motul Wash and Wax, spray it on and polish off. It makes cleaning next time so easy. Dirt then hoses off, even dried bug guts wipes straight off. Or you can just spray it on and wipe off, doesn't sound right and I wouldn't do it on tank etc but it does work on headlight fork legs etc
It works good on visor/goggles/gasses as well.
It's about 14 bucks a tin enough for 5-6 cleans.
Really good stuff.
Darcy

Shakey · 01-23-2006

Wait long enough and the dirt just falls off. Here in the Pacific Northwest your bike stays perpetually dirty from the rain and road grime. It's a pain in the butt trying to keep it clean, but then I'm not looking for a "detailed" clean. Just something that isn't embarrassing to be seen on clean. I prefer to spend more time riding and less time polishing. Let the Harley riders obsess over bug splat and road dirt. ;-)

jlzmeehan · 01-23-2006

Get a spray bottle and make a real soapy mix. Keep soaking the area and eventually it will just start to fall away. If the ***** is a mixture of road tar and dirt I sometimes use my chain cleaner and quickly follow up with the soapy mixture.The chain cleaner might not be so good if you don't have a blacked-out engine,though. Might cause discoloration.

dazco · 01-23-2006

If you're just talkin loose gravel why not get a can of air and just blow it out?

HorseWhisperer · 01-23-2006

Small electric powered pressure washer does the trick for me.

Thunder_Forever · 01-23-2006

Quote:

On 2006-01-22 23:02, Binnsy wrote:
I ride on some pretty crappy (dirt) roads and get a lot of grit and grime in the nooks and cranny's around the oil cooler and under the front of the motor. Problem is I try really hard to get the carp out so my bike will look like Daz's but no can do. There is always bits I can't get to, I even tried a little paintbrush but couldn't get it all.

I tried to get the Missus and kids involved as their hands are smaller but they just won't cooperate.

I also tried a trained rodent but forgot to take him out last ride, now I have to clean him out!! :-D

You guy's got any special trick to get in the fiddly bits where your fist won't fit??

Dude, you have to remember that Daz has more miles on this website than he does on his motorcycle...... :-D :-D :-D

just kidding buddy. :-D

Copper · 01-23-2006

Shakey, you hit that nail opn the head for us in teh great Northwest!! I wash my bike once every couple of weeks in the winter, mostly out of guilt. Its not worth putting too much energy into it, one ride on the wet roads in the rain and she looks like you took her to a motocross track!

Summers different, in the summer I keep her nice and shiny. I didn't pay extra for all that chrome for nothin'!

Binnsy · 01-23-2006

Thanks guys, I'm gonna give Darcy's & jlzmeehan's suggestions a go, seems the best options, with a variety of brushes.

Daz, I tried blowing it out with compressed air but it is stuck fast, seems to have tar on it. Even when I can get my finger on it, it doesn't shift easily.

Shakey, I ride it heaps and only wash it every couple of months but can never get it really clean. It pizzes me that I can't finish the job properly. That picture Daz has of his bike haunts me, gives me the guilts.

Whisperer, I have a pressure washer but it's too powerful. It would probably take the paint off as well. Aside from the fact that it's a ***** (female dog) to use.

Only 4 days to the weekend, can't wait. bye y'all......

:-D :-D

dazco · 01-23-2006

Quote:

That picture Daz has of his bike haunts me, gives me the guilts

LOL!!!!!!!!! That had me howling. It's a new pic as of yesterday tho.....maybe this one won't haunt you as much. :-D

By the way, you could try Gunk. I gunked my bike once so far and it just absolutly removes every trace of grease. Spray it on everything thats greasy (that gravel is no doubt stuck on with grease/oil) then let it sit for 10 min and hose off. Worked incredibly for me. It will leave the black engine with a whitish residue in a few places, but that comes right off easy. i use pledge lemon furniture polish on the engine. You should really try that. It's amazing on the engine and makes it look better than new and lasts a good while because it leaves a very slick coating that protects and keeps dirt from sticking as easily.