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Cleaning your SRAD.

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CYIWON

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
To avoid thread jacking another member's post I wanted to start this one.

I am planning on doing a complete cleaning while I'm doing some mechanical work this coming week. This lead me to ask the SRAD and motorcycling vets about tips, tricks, and products that people have found success with.

So my first question would be what are some of the products, tips and tricks for cleaning a heavily soiled rear swingarm?
 
#2 ·
There is no secret sauce or technique. Its all about effort, attention to detail, and elbow grease.

My weapons of choice was a large bottle of simple green concentrated and 4 green brillo pads to knock the large grease chunks down. I used this all over the bike frame and forks.

Once I got the frame, wheels, forks all cleaned I went after the pain with the typical products you would use on your car. I went through a ton of white cloths before I used any detail cloths on it. Once it was where i wanted I did end up attacking it with a few california orange buffing pads and then white, and black ones and got her to shine like i wanted
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Yeah, with my bike being matte black, using waxes or such things on the body aren't needed or will change the appearance of the paint. So I'm just looking for stuff to clean the frame and dirty bits.
 
#5 · (Edited)
On my 98 I use regular car wash soap and a sponge. On the tank I use Turtle Wax Platinum. Pledge for the plastics, Armorall Extreme Tire shine for anything rubber even put it on the sidewalls of the tires if the bike will be parked for a few days, and chain I use Release All then use Teflon for lube. :biggrin
And yes I know I'm not suppose to use anything on the tires but they look damn sweet when done up.
 
#8 ·
^^^^ i hope your joking ..... im a detailer by trade , and that is one of the dumbest things you can do when cleaning your bike ...(tyre shine)
wd 40 is great for regular cleaning , if its the first 'proper' cleaning your bikes had , i use a product called G101 sold through Autosmart , best iv ever seen for moving grime , bug guts , tar , and grease ( depending on mix strengh )
a regular dish scrub brush can be used (best not on painted surf.) and tooth brushes for hard to reach spots ...
for painted surf. use a safe citrus cleaner (in the shade) and a microfibre cloth , finish up with a wash , then claybar , then polish finishing up with a wax ....
for washing i use baby shampoo , its got no stripping agents and is very gentle ...
 
#9 ·
WD40 is a great solvent but I purpose built detergent is easy to use, rinse away and is much more cost effective...the over spray wont make your tyres slippy either!

Im in the UK and have used a product called Gunk for years, using a selection of paintbrushes to work it in, then rinsing in off. I do the whole bike with this and then wipe it over with a rag covered in either WD40 or clean engine oil on the chain, both front and back facing links.
 
#10 ·
8you4t said:
^^^^ i hope your joking ..... im a detailer by trade , and that is one of the dumbest things you can do when cleaning your bike ...(tyre shine)
wd 40 is great for regular cleaning , if its the first 'proper' cleaning your bikes had , i use a product called G101 sold through Autosmart , best iv ever seen for moving grime , bug guts , tar , and grease ( depending on mix strengh )
a regular dish scrub brush can be used (best not on painted surf.) and tooth brushes for hard to reach spots ...
for painted surf. use a safe citrus cleaner (in the shade) and a microfibre cloth , finish up with a wash , then claybar , then polish finishing up with a wax ....
for washing i use baby shampoo , its got no stripping agents and is very gentle ...
Click to expand...
Why is putting tire dressing on dumb?:dunno
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Because they make you lose grip:

Straight from the horses mouth:

Can I use Armor All® Protectant Products on my tires; including whitewall, motorcycle and bicycle?
Armor All® Protectant Products are ideal for protecting, shining and cleaning your car tires. Just spray onto surface, let penetrate and wipe off for a great shine and long-lasting protection. However, these products should not be used on cycle tires due to slipperiness.
Click to expand...
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
JayBurd said:
On my 98 I use regular car wash soap and a sponge. On the tank I use Turtle Wax Platinum. Pledge for the plastics, Armorall Extreme Tire shine for anything rubber even put it on the sidewalls of the tires if the bike will be parked for a few days, and chain I use Release All then use Teflon for lube. :biggrin
And yes I know I'm not suppose to use anything on the tires but they look damn sweet when done up.
Click to expand...
TT750 said:
Ride in the rain....
Click to expand...
ccmhunt said:
You are joking....right?
Click to expand...
He's a noob (no offense mean't) he might not know, at least he does now and won't end up murking himself around a corner.

Tip: scrub your tire, or ride carefully at first when new tires are install, or you'll end up like this guy:

 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
It's all too common. I've never had to scrub tires, because I have never bought new ones yet. I'm curious to find out what some people do.

I've heard of driving very carefully, using sandpaper, etc
 
#17 ·
even if you tried to scrub out or powerwash out the armor all on the tire, you won't get it all. As you go ride, the tire will flex and heat up, releasing the armor all bringing it to the surface of the tire out of the rubber.

I went to go lean left and it was as if someone just took my front tire from me. I slid on my head and watched my bike hit a tree - moving at a good clip, I cleared a ditch upside down and then plowed into a large rock back first. Rode home with twisted clip ons, a big hole in my windscreen, busted air intake tube, and a rashed fairing.
 
#18 ·
When I bought my last new bike I spun the tires all the way out of the service dept just to scare them....it worked, plus the floor was painted so it was super slippery.
Modern day track tires.....first lap slightly slower than the rest.
Modern day strett tires....gentle increases to lean angle.
Def. no sandpaper, mold release is a myth now.
 
#19 ·
I have done a LOT of detailing in my time!
For paintwork my 2 favorites are:
1-New finish
2-3m Imperial hand glaze
You can use greezeoff or simple green on the entire bike just don't let that stuff dry before hosing it off as it sometimes stains bare aluminum.
The new finish has kerosene in it and it takes off almost anything that will mar paint.
It's none abrasive and removes anything from dead bugs to paint from other objects contacting your paint work.
The imperial hand glaze is pure magic!
I apply it with a damp towel and only let it haze, never dry and then remove it.
It turns paint, especially DARK paint, into a sea of liquid color!
 
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