Introduction to Motorcycle Maintenance - Page 9

Cleaning Your Motorcycle

Cleaning your motorcycle regularly when it gets dirty will help to preserve the finish on it. Dirt holds or attracts moisture which can lead to corrosion. On the other hand, exposure to water from washing, especially if using high water pressure, spraying where you shouldn't, and not adequately and promptly drying your motorcycle, can also lead to corrosion. Splattered bugs can be more difficult to remove if left on a long time, and some bug guts can leave stains. Remove road tar (fresh paving, seal-coating, etc.) as soon as possible; the longer you wait, the more difficult it is to remove. Dust control agents used on gravel roads, when wet, can be difficult to remove from some surfaces or materials on your motorcycle, but may be easier to remove if you get on it sooner rather than later.

Before washing your motorcycle plug or cover the exhaust opening to prevent water from getting inside. You can use an exhaust plug, or you can cover the muffler end with a plastic bag (or wrap) and an elastic band.

Some people use pressure washers on their motorcycles because it’s easy and effective, but if high pressure water is directed at certain parts of your motorcycle, you risk damaging them. I don’t use a pressure washer, only a low-pressure garden hose. Avoid blasting the chain, wheel hubs, linkages, controls, lights, instruments, switches, wiring connectors, carburetor or throttle body and under the fuel tank and seat. High water pressure can also damage the cooling fins of the radiator; that doesn’t leave much, does it? The problem with using a pressure washer is that it forces water and dirt past seals (and into other places you don't want) leading to premature bearing failures, corrosion and possibly electrical issues.

Use an automotive type washing detergent rather than dish soap. Use a micro fiber cloth or cloths. Rinse your cloth frequently, especially if the bike is really dirty. It’s a good idea to use a separate bucket to rinse your wash cloth in rather than the one with the soapy water. Rinse the bike frequently with clean water.

To remove stubborn bug guts from your windscreen, place a wet cloth on the windscreen and let it sit there for a while to soften “things” up instead of scrubbing.

Afterwards, dry off your motorcycle and then run it to dry out parts like the exhaust. The heat from the engine will help to evaporate water from under the fuel tank area too. Riding the motorcycle after washing it will enable you to dry your brakes (by applying them) and the chain (flings the water off).

I use kerosene for cleaning the greasy parts like the chain, sprockets, rear wheel, swingarm and around the front sprocket. There are degreasers available, but read the directions on the can as some may be harmful to some surfaces or materials. Use kerosene or “Tar Remover” to remove tar.

Use brake cleaner on the brake disks to remove any oil residue from solvents (splattering when cleaning other parts) or other cleaners.

You can use a popsicle stick wrapped in a thin cloth for cleaning in nooks and crannies or between the cooling fins. You can also use a soft brush (paint brush) or foam paint “brush”.

Use an automotive wax on painted surfaces.

If you’ve been unfortunate to have your motorcycle splattered with calcium chloride that has been applied to the gravel roads you’ve been riding on if wet, you may discover that it is very difficult to get it off some metal surfaces like wheel spokes and bolt heads. A Scotch-Brite (or similar) pad will work, but use caution on some surfaces. There may be some chemical solutions (for removing mineral deposits in your home) that will work too. As a test, I removed a bolt from under the fender of my bike that was encrusted with dirt, sand and dust control agent, and dropped it into a jar with vinegar (acetic acid); bubbles starting forming immediately and the bolt was clean in about 5 minutes. I can't say one way or another whether the plating on the bolt was affected. I'll do more testing.

Winterizing

The purpose of preparing your motorcycle for storage is to limit deterioration while it is not in use. Proper preparation will help ensure that your motorcycle is in optimal condition when you return it to service. If you were to simply park your bike for six months without prepping it first, likely you would have trouble getting it to start and / or to run properly later; the finish on your bike may have also deteriorated. A little preventative maintenance will go a long way to preserve your bike’s condition. There’s not that much you need to do, though it can be labor intensive and time consuming if you have multiple motorcycles to winterize.

For more information: A Guide To Winterizing Your Motorcycle