How to wash a motorcycle?

[FlaresideLariat]

What are the proper steps in washing a motorcycle without causing water damage? What's safe and what's not safe?

[travisdecpn]

Here's a link that contains a bunch of helpful tips:

http://hawg-wash.com/howto.html

[scrub]

I've used Honda spray wash or polish can't remember the exact name. It's a spray and wipe product. I've also used Last touch detail spray. As for soap and water I'm not a big fan of using that on a motorcycle. Besides, most bikes won't get dirty enough to need a soap and water bath.

On chrome I use glass cleaner. Chrome should only need polishing when there are waterspots or other spots on the chrome that glass cleaner can't remove. On aluminium rubbing alcohol can be used to remove fingerprints and such.

For tires and rims, man I hated this part, I use degreaser and terry towels. The back wheel and swing arm are usually very messy on chain drive bikes. The sling gets everywhere. Just take your time and try to get to those hard to reach places. Cleaning wheels and tires can be the single biggest improvement you can make to cleaning a bike, especially with white rims or whitewall tires.

Then after washing with QD or Honda polish a wax can be applied. In the past I've used DC step 3 on the painted surfaces and chrome. One word of caution about waxing, try to stay away from areas on the tank that you don't want to be slick from waxing (not that happened to me or anything ).

That's the heavy hitters so to speak. This should give you a start. Just like detailing a car there are many methods and procedures to use. As for water on a bike, its just like washing engines some do without protecting parts, some protect certain parts, and others don't mess with enigines at all. I tend to minimize my liability so I will spary wash a bike.

Good luck

[Dustin]

The steps I use for washing my Dad's Harley:
1.) I parked it in the SHADE, usually early morning or late afternoon, but you can do it in the middle of the day, just find some shade.
2.) Make sure that the bike is COOL to the touch, if its not and you spray water on it the bike will got annoyning water spots on it.
3.) Spray wheels with Hot Rims or some kind of all wheel safe rim cleaner. Allow 15 to 30 seconds to soak, if wheels are really dirty use a wheel brush during this time to get the wheels clean then rise well.
4.) Flood the surfaces with plenty of water with a semi strong spray then using the two bucket method( one bucket for cleaning the wash mitt the other for washing the bike) fill the one for wash the bike with NXT Car Wash using a high quality wash mitt ( I use sheepskin) then, start at the top and work your way down just like a car.
5.) Then for the final rise take off the nozzle on the hose and let the water flood the surface, this will cause the water to sheet off the bike thus, cutting down on drying time.
6.) To dry i use a combination of leaf blower and a microfiber drying towel. blower first then drying towel second; Use the blower to get water out of cracks and what have you on a bike, then the microfiber drying towel for the rest.
7.) Enjoy a clean shiney bike!


I hope this helps!

[FlaresideLariat]

Thanks for the tips. What about the seat though?

[Dustin]

If the seat is vinyl use Nxt Protectant or Natural Shine, use one of these on dash too if the bike has one like an ultra classic,for leather use leather cleaner and conditioner.