I use the search function There are several good threads on different products. It might help to research those and maybe ask a more specific question.

 

Well, I don't like chrome, so don't have much on the bike. It's a 75 shovelhead, and leaks oil which gives it a nice coat so she don't rust. Few times a year, like 3, I'll spray it down with Gunk engine degreaser, and hose it off, then ride the **** out of it. It's a rider, not a purdy poser.... I do polish all the raw aluminum in the Winter with Flitz. Best stuff out there for it...:know

 

There is a lot of cleaning information on this site. I have used windex on chrome, lemon pledge on paint (believe it or not) , bug slide works on bugs for windshields. I have washed my wheels with windex too. About 2-3times a year, I give it a washing with car soap and water. There are many more combinations and everyone has their method.


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You might want to consider giving it a diezel bath... :know


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Cold...very cold. I like it. I like it a lot.

 

Spray the lower parts down with Simple Green , hit it with the power washer.

Bodywork gets done with a bucket of warm water , a soft brush and Dawn dish washing soap. Leaves no spots.

 

I just use normal car wash soap (Meguires) to wash it down. Then I grab my leaf blower and blow all the water off. All but eliminates water spots. As for the chrome goes, you can only get it a shiny as it can get. That's why many just use Windex as have I too. I like to put a coat of quality wax on my chrome, then just buff it out with a cloth. That will help with future touch ups.

 

I precoat the bugs, wheels, with Simple Green, wash with car wash soap and a bug sponge of your choice, and use compressed air to DRY it. if you don't have a compressor, a leaf blower works well too.

And wash it in the shade.

 

Clean your bike??

You got to be kidding, that would interfere with riding.

I'm a rider not a washer!

 

You also live where bugs can't exist because it's so f'n hot, and it hardly ever rains..... :laugh


Every 3 weeks mine gets washed.

I too am a rider, not a washer. Just got back from a nice little 740 mile overnighter.

 

Rain.

Took it out for an hour and half bath each way today.

 

dawn and other dish washing soaps will strip the wax. Meguire has a cleaner that you should wax after. they also have a cleaner/wax in one.

If mine is just dusty or hasn't been rained on in several rides, I use meguires spray detailer. It gets the dust and very light dirt then prolongs your previous wax job. They claim, and I find it's true, that it will look even better the next day.

I avoid riding in the rain so I don't have to wax it, but when I do, its wash, blow dry with a shop vac or leaf blower (be careful not to use too much force) then wax.

I try to stay within one system and Mequires seems to be the best. I used to use pledge on my bicycle as a kid. Worked good. Others still use it on bikes with good reports.

My bike is new enough that I chose to use a system designed to protect that new paint.

I've read what I could and called their techs. Very helpful. Do some research then go wash and wax that thing.

Their tech responded to my question on what is best for new paint, as follows:
Dear Joe,
Thank you for contacting Meguiar's.
For your paint, the use of a premium carnauba wax like our Gold Class Carnauba Plus, can provide a deep, dark, wet look shine, along with a good protection. Apply a thin coat to the glossy painted areas, let it dry for about 15,20-30 minutes, and wipe off with a high quality microfiber towel like our supreme shine.

Here's their link http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.do?q=4622

 

I use Sprayway Glass Cleaner from Wally World. It works on the windshields (no ammonia), the chrome, the paint and it was unbelievable on my tires. You spray it on, wait about a minute or so and wipe it off. I have NEVER washed my bike. I just spray it down and wipe it off after a ride and spray the tires and wheels when I do my oil changes. $2.38 for 19 oz. at my Wally World.

 

Yep, what he said. Once in a while I'll use Wizards Mist & Shine on the chrome, but Sprayway works great. I bought a case of 6 cans for $12 on Amazon......less than one can of Plexis.

 

dittos on the sprayway glass, U Dawg.

I also use S100's Special Surface Cleaner for the windshield when I have it. Otherwise the srpayway glass cleaner is excellent and less expensive.

I'm gonna try it on my wheels and white walls

 

Westly's Bleach White for the wide whites. And since I just bought a brand new windshield for my RK , I've been using a stuff called Plexus , which also works great on big screen TVs and my computer monitor.

 

I've found that bleche-wite doesn't work like it used to. Used it on my pickup's wheels/tires for years. Let it soak in a little and you could see it pulling all sorts of gunk out of the rubber. Last bottle I picked up didn't give me the same results. Then I noticed that the brand is now "Black Magic" rather than "Westley's" (same coloring on the bottle and label, so we would think it's the same product)... Checking a few different stores in the area, all bottles were labeled the same. I'm guessing there was some sort of buy-out. With said buy out, possibly a recipe change to a less aggressive chemical. :frown

I've switched to Super Clean in the purple jug now. Seems to give close to the same results as the old bleche-white, although none of my cages have white wall/lettered tires so I can't tell you how it cleans the white areas. Might be too aggressive for the scoot though. Call me over cautious.

 

s100 here depending on how many bugs are hanging off the bike. I'll have to try the glass cleaner.

 

I use Turtle wax's car wash soap when I bucket wash it , like after riding in the rain, hit it with the leaf blower then move on to my non rain detailing to get the water spots off ; I use glass cleaner on my chrome and Turtle wax Black Box detailer on my tins , lemon pledge on the windshield, leather cleaner on my bags & seat.

I got the Turtle wax Black Box system since I have a black bike, works pretty good covering small swirl type scratches.

 

Water.... Rag...... Elbow grease......







Oh ya and a lil but of Bugslide for the stubborn carcasses!!!

PS- thanks Glidewide for the introduction to Bugslide, this stuff is awesome!!!


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My son.

 

Excellent use for a son.

It may be that the purpose of you life is to serve as a warning to others.

 

Ice by Turtle Wax for wash, then blow dry. Invisible Glass by Stoner for in betweens. Best stuff ever. Sprayway is too dry.


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I use s100 total motorcycle cleaner, it works great and actually does what it says. They also have engine case spray that works great on black cases to give that new look. I usually do it once a year lol or if the bugs are just really bad

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I use car wash soap for the paint with a separate mitt. Bike Brite for the engine, chrome, wheels, etc. Brake Cleaner, not brake fluid for tough oil, white walls, and brake dust. After the brake cleaner, I wash with Bike Brite on the white walls. Dry with power blaster, then Original Spray and Cleaner on the paint and chrome. I like the Original stuff a lot. Fun times!

 

UDawg, JPR and FBmikie all confirm what was conveyed to me recently. A guy told me that stuff is the best stuff on the planet for cleaning a bike. Doesn't leave streaks on chrome, etc.

Gonna get me some.

 

Hey Mongo, this is about the best deal going right now.....buck and a half a can at Amazon.

Amazon.com: Sprayway Glass Cleaner - Single: Home & Kitchen

 

S100 on the bike. Pig Spit on that beautiful V-twin.

 

Chrome spoke wheels with a good quality auto soap and brushes.
When dry I spray WD-40 or equiv on the spokes, then wipe it off the rims.

 

Original Bike Spirits

I swear by this stuff !!

 

Can you drink it? I will have to look that up.

 

Hosed bike down real good to get rid of grit then used the turtle wax liquid mixed with water. Applied with a soft sponge then hosed it off. Blow dry with leaf blower and finish wipe down with a soft chamois and microfiber as needed. Done with whole bike inside and out in 10 minutes and a little sweat.