Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Forums
« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: No-hose clean-up?  (Read 2683 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Max Wedge

  • Contributor
  • Member
  • Location: The thumb in Reg 4
  • Posts: 5828
  • Engineering Pathologist
  • Motorcycles: '10 R1200GS
No-hose clean-up?
« on: January 28, 2014, 09:29:20 AM »
Here in Michigan, getting your hose out to wash the bike is out of the question. Does anyone have any tricks/tips/processes that they like for no-hose, cold-temp, in-garage cleaning? I never got a chance to wash it after my last rain ride, and it is -8 outside, and 30 in the garage, but I would like to clean it up with dreams of an early spring.

So whatchagot?
Logged
You never see a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrists' office.
Where am I?

Offline mxvet57

  • Contributor
  • Member
  • Location: Mt. Prospect Ill.
  • Posts: 8430
  • Loud horns save lives
  • Motorcycles: 04 FJR, 06 Speed triple, 88 EX500, 05 YZ250, 91 KX500
Re: No-hose clean-up?
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2014, 09:31:44 AM »
-8 outside, 30 in garage. Can you say ice skating rink.
Logged
At the risk of encouraging him, I agree with Cookie.   "Bomber"

Every day is my birthday

Online Cablebandit

  • Contributor
  • Member
  • Location: Stormshire
  • Posts: 4979
  • Pig Pilot
    • https://www.facebook.com/TheCablebandits
  • Motorcycles: A Blue One
Re: No-hose clean-up?
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2014, 09:32:36 AM »
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


or

visitors can't see pics , please register or login
Logged

Offline kneescrubber

  • Contributor
  • Member
  • Location: Neither here nor there
  • Posts: 10479
  • Nothing beats good line of sight
  • Motorcycles: 1999 VFR
Re: No-hose clean-up?
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2014, 09:44:42 AM »
Wash your bike? 
Logged
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Offline Cookie

  • Super Moderator
  • Member
  • Location: Most of the time I'm not 100% sure.
  • Posts: 14318
  • Tacos are life.
  • Motorcycles: '16 MG Audace, '10 Ural T, '19 Ural Gear Up and from out of nowhere, the surprise '06 KLR 650!
Re: No-hose clean-up?
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2014, 09:59:50 AM »
Logged
“Government is the Entertainment division of the military-industrial complex.”

― Frank Zappa

Offline bomber

  • Member
  • Location:
  • Posts: 909
  • Rough, grooved surface
  • Motorcycles: some
Re: No-hose clean-up?
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2014, 10:08:43 AM »
Simple Green and Armor All both sell disposable wipes with cleaners in em . . . . I use them to clean up after oil changes and the like (when will I be able to change oil without making any mess whatsoever? I certainly have anough practice).

Be aware, the Simple Grewen wipes suggest rinsing with water . . . . I never have, but I'm not maintaining helicoptors . . .
Logged
We had two bags of grass, 75 pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a saltshaker half-full of cocaine, a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers... Also, a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of beer, a pint of raw ether, and two dozen amyls. Not that we needed all that for the trip, but once you get locked into a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can.

Offline Doug Just Doug

  • Member
  • Location: Dela-Where?
  • Posts: 129
  • Will Ride For Food
    • Tilted Horizons (on hiatus)
  • Motorcycles: 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 ABS
Re: No-hose clean-up?
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2014, 10:13:38 AM »
As above, Honda SC&P works wonders.  I also like Plexus on some plastic parts, particularly windscreens.  Cycle Care makes a nice line of spray-cleaning products, too. Particularly in winter, I'll hit some areas with WD-40 (wheels, frame, engine, swingarm, etc.) first to get the heavy salt/crud off.  In the 55K+ miles I've owned my current bike I've never taken a hose to it, and yet it looks pretty darn good having used only spray cleaners.  Bike before this one, I think I took a hose to it maybe 3-4 times in ~78K miles. The key is to avoid scratching; common sense goes a long way with that. Downside is that I'm making Costco rich at the rate I go through microfiber and terry cloth towels.  ;D
Logged

Offline motormike

  • Member
  • Location: Mpls, MN
  • Posts: 683
  • Motorcycles: 2007 VFR800 ABS, 2001 VFR800
Re: No-hose clean-up?
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2014, 11:57:38 AM »
Given your climate, I'd say a bucket of warm soapy water and a rag.
Logged

Online M.Brane

  • Member
  • Location: 1hr N/W of LA LA Land
  • Posts: 434
  • Motorcycles: 3 RC46, GTS1000
Re: No-hose clean-up?
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2014, 10:43:10 PM »
 I mix a bit of vinegar, a few drops of dish soap, and distilled water in a spray bottle for general cleaning of bodywork. Mist, let soak for a few minutes, and wipe down with a microfiber cloth.

 WD40 on a microfiber for the wheels, and other grubby bits.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »