Cleaning my CB1100

[Inline4_imp]

WD40 for chain grime. Mequiar's Deep Crystal wash solution. It leaves a brilliant shine on everything.
For touch-ups, especially on gas tanks, windscreens, face shields, I have been using Plexus for a long time. It has become rather expensive the last few years, but it is probably my favorite chemical in the garage. Its worth every penny.
http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/frames.html

[Yoyodyne_imp]

+1 on Plexus, though I only use it on my Arai helmet. I use Original Bike Spirits (who actually makes the famous Honda spray polish) spray on my bike.

[dailyrider_imp]

Dawn dishwashing liquid, Meguires cleaner/wax, Greased Lightning for really greasy areas like side stand and center stand or anywhere chain lube is flung off. I wash sometimes twice a week & wax once a week. It is my daily commuter rain or shine.

Yikes, I heard dishwashing liquid cuts right through your wax....although I used it for years and have only recently switched to an auto type wash that does not cut wax.

Yikes, I heard dishwashing liquid cuts right through your wax....although I used it for years and have only recently switched to an auto type wash that does not cut wax.
It depends on how much you use. For general cleaning I just use a small amount. If it is really grungy I use a lot and rewax. Thirty miles on I-94 in heavy rain and heavy traffic calls for a deep cleaning. It is really grungy after a commute like that.

[736cc_imp]

For really dirty bikes, spray everything w/ S-100 then agitate w/ a wet paintbrush dipped in a water filled bucket. Dry w/ bath towels then blow it off w/ a shop vac reversed to blow air.
Black engines will look incredibly new by using S-100 shiny engine bright after a good washing. Let the stuff soak overnight, wipe down any excess. Will last several washings. That stuff is a high-temperature silicon.

[Utah1_imp]

You guys seriously wash your bikes, what a waste of time. I leave mine out when I hear a storm is coming and that gets most of the bugs off! I do hear that S100 stuff works pretty good though.

[Lord Popgun]

I sprayed my engine down with Spray-9 and hosed it off. Then for a time, while the engine was hot it gave off a nice smell, although I could do without that.

Does S-100 do that?

[wildezt_imp]

You guys seriously wash your bikes, what a waste of time. I leave mine out when I hear a storm is coming and that gets most of the bugs off! I do hear that S100 stuff works pretty good though.

Oh Boy....!

[dBuster_imp]

You know, I tease friends with their hardly a davidson bikes that they are polishers and not riders... Seems all they do is polish their bikes....

Me, granted I need to clean my bike, but now after reading this thread it gives me good tips to look at when I do get down to cleaning...

[The Spaceman_imp]

You guys seriously wash your bikes, what a waste of time. I leave mine out when I hear a storm is coming and that gets most of the bugs off! I do hear that S100 stuff works pretty good though.

Keeping your bike clean and waxed helps prevent corrosion, keeps the paint from fading, prevents the plastic from deteriorating from surface contaminants, and helps maintain its resale value. It's also a great way to spot issues like loose bolts etc. before they become a significant problem. It's common-sense maintenance, just like changing the oil.

There are several guys on the VStrom forum I used to frequent who made much of their refusal to wash their bikes. I figure it's the opposite side of the same coin the Polishing Pirates are on.

[dailyrider_imp]

You guys seriously wash your bikes, what a waste of time. I leave mine out when I hear a storm is coming and that gets most of the bugs off! I do hear that S100 stuff works pretty good though.

Oh Boy....!

Oh Boy....!
One of those British snow mobiles.