Discussion
Recently popped into my local independent garage to ask about servicing and saw one of the guys washing a bike outside with a jet washer. Newbie question, I noticed he was really blasting the chain with the jet wash. I know with certain parts of the bike you have to be careful so I've always just used a garden hose and more elbow grease. Thoughts please as I was considering them once my bike's warranty is up?
They can be quite good at removing stuff you don't want removed.
Perhaps he was going to hand wash the chain with something other than water and then lube the chain properly after the jet washing? They may have ridden the bike through the winter and been intending to get the bulk of any crud off before doing it properly?
Perhaps he was going to hand wash the chain with something other than water and then lube the chain properly after the jet washing? They may have ridden the bike through the winter and been intending to get the bulk of any crud off before doing it properly?
Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 27th February 10:32
I clean my modern bikes with my hot pressure washer. I'm careful to avoid blasting in to electrics and the fuel system, though.
When I'm done, I blow the excess water off with the compressor then let them run until they're warm. Finally, I put them back in the container with a small oil-filled heater in the corner. The heater is set very low so it doesn't evaporate all the fuel, it just lifts any remaining moisture off the bikes and prevents condensation from forming.
I give any oily bits a jolly good lube, too. I like thick chain oil after a 'big' wash, then regular chain oil after that. The rest of the bike gets a wipe down with an oily rag.
The classics get the soapy bucket, though. It's too easy to fill the gearbox and chain case with water with a pressure washer. I might blow the wheels off, though, as long as they're tubeless tyres.
When I'm done, I blow the excess water off with the compressor then let them run until they're warm. Finally, I put them back in the container with a small oil-filled heater in the corner. The heater is set very low so it doesn't evaporate all the fuel, it just lifts any remaining moisture off the bikes and prevents condensation from forming.
I give any oily bits a jolly good lube, too. I like thick chain oil after a 'big' wash, then regular chain oil after that. The rest of the bike gets a wipe down with an oily rag.
The classics get the soapy bucket, though. It's too easy to fill the gearbox and chain case with water with a pressure washer. I might blow the wheels off, though, as long as they're tubeless tyres.
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