Easy bike clean.
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Discussion

Drawweight

Original Poster:

3,613 posts

146 months

Saturday 14th March 2020
quotequote all

I’ve dragged my ZZR 1100 out from under its cover where it’s sat for the last couple of years with the intention of putting an mot on it and selling it for not much money.

It’s pretty scruffy but polishing the exhaust has brightened it up a bit.

It needs a good deep clean but to be honest I haven’t got the time.

What’s a quick way to get all the crap/ road dirt/chain lube out of all the crevices and make it look a bit better?

I’ve got access to a pressure washer but cold water only and no option to add anything to the water.

I’ve got Gunk and wd40 in the shed would spraying either of those all over the bike and using a small brush get rid of most of it or is there another product I could buy that would be better?

Or any other recommendations?

s1dew1nd3r

388 posts

81 months

Saturday 14th March 2020
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Dont be a tight you know what and pay someone to come an clean it properly..

trickywoo

14,245 posts

260 months

Saturday 14th March 2020
quotequote all
Sdoc100 and a good scrubbing will probably get you 90% of the results possible with minimal cos / effort.

Rubin215

4,201 posts

186 months

Saturday 14th March 2020
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5 litres of paraffin from your local hardware shop and a couple of cheap brushes.

Slaister the bike top to bottom with the paraffin, chain and sprockets and back wheel especially and then rinse it off with a hose and cold water.

Wash the bike top to bottom with hot very soapy water and a sponge, scrubbing the seat with a nailbrush,then rinse off again.

Let it dry and do the paintwork with Turtlewax Colormagic, do all the plastics with Simoniz Back to Black, do the tyres with black tyre paint.

Spray the chain with white chainwax, use oil and a rag on any fasteners to hide the rust, advertise, sell.

Pothole

34,367 posts

312 months

Saturday 14th March 2020
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How much as is?

Drawweight

Original Poster:

3,613 posts

146 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
quotequote all
Pothole said:
How much as is?
This wasn’t a cheeky ad but I’ve messaged you.

Pothole

34,367 posts

312 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
quotequote all
Drawweight said:
Pothole said:
How much as is?
This wasn’t a cheeky ad but I’ve messaged you.
I know, mate. You're about 5 hours too far North of me, sadly. I'm looking for something cheap and cheerful to ride over next winter. Thanks for the email, though and GLWS

Jazoli

9,681 posts

280 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
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Rubin215 said:
do the tyres with black tyre paint.
Don't do this bit....

Sdoc100 and paraffin are the best two things for cleaning bikes, and elbow grease.

trickywoo

14,245 posts

260 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
quotequote all
Rubin215 said:
do the tyres with black tyre paint.
You are going for the you crash it you bought it angle there aren’t you?

Test rides encouraged.

Wacky Racer

41,395 posts

277 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
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Don't power wash it. The water can play havoc with the electrics.

airsafari87

3,307 posts

212 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
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Rubin215 said:
do the tyres with black tyre paint
ACF50 all over the brake discs too, stop them from rusting up after you've finished washing them.

Silicone spray the handlebar grips too so they look nice and black and shiny.

Pothole

34,367 posts

312 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
quotequote all
Wacky Racer said:
Don't power wash it. The water can play havoc with the electrics.
Why does this tired old pony come out every time? Have you never ridden a bike in the rain?

Davie Lad

491 posts

220 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
quotequote all
Wacky Racer said:
Don't power wash it. The water can play havoc with the electrics.
Always power wash my bikes and never had any trouble, obviously not to close to wiring and wheel bearings.

Far Cough

2,482 posts

198 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
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Ride it to the local garage that has a hot water powerwash or somewhere that will let you use theirs and save yourself and your back some agro......... wink

V8RX7

28,982 posts

293 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
quotequote all
If you want to be cheap....

WD40 will help loosen the dirt - spray it on the day before - washing up liquid is surprisingly effective too (I spray it on with a pump up sprayer with water)

A cold pressure washer will then bring up it well

V8RX7

28,982 posts

293 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
quotequote all
I take it back - just cleaned mine and the chain grease the bike shop used has gone everywhere (I usually use gear oil)

I used heating oil as I had some to hand, nothing else would touch it

Rubin215

4,201 posts

186 months

Sunday 15th March 2020
quotequote all
trickywoo said:
Rubin215 said:
do the tyres with black tyre paint.
You are going for the you crash it you bought it angle there aren’t you?

Test rides encouraged.
Do you honestly think I mean the tread?

Does anyone ever do the tread of their tyres with tyre paint?

Even on cars?



Walks away slowly, shaking head as he goes and muttering "Fanny" under his breath...

trickywoo

14,245 posts

260 months

Monday 16th March 2020
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Rubin215 said:
Do you honestly think I mean the tread?

Does anyone ever do the tread of their tyres with tyre paint?

Even on cars?



Walks away slowly, shaking head as he goes and muttering "Fanny" under his breath...
None of us are as stupid as you so no we didn’t think you were talking about the tread.

Tyre dressing on the sidewall of a motorbike tyre is a spectacularly stupid thing to think of doing.

Rubin215

4,201 posts

186 months

Monday 16th March 2020
quotequote all
trickywoo said:
Rubin215 said:
Do you honestly think I mean the tread?

Does anyone ever do the tread of their tyres with tyre paint?

Even on cars?



Walks away slowly, shaking head as he goes and muttering "Fanny" under his breath...
None of us are as stupid as you so no we didn’t think you were talking about the tread.

Tyre dressing on the sidewall of a motorbike tyre is a spectacularly stupid thing to think of doing.
Why?

What harm do you think it is going to do?

black-k1

12,807 posts

259 months

Monday 16th March 2020
quotequote all
Rubin215 said:
trickywoo said:
Rubin215 said:
Do you honestly think I mean the tread?

Does anyone ever do the tread of their tyres with tyre paint?

Even on cars?



Walks away slowly, shaking head as he goes and muttering "Fanny" under his breath...
None of us are as stupid as you so no we didn’t think you were talking about the tread.

Tyre dressing on the sidewall of a motorbike tyre is a spectacularly stupid thing to think of doing.
Why?

What harm do you think it is going to do?
Have to agree with Rubin here. If you get to the point of your tyre sidewalls touching the tarmac. a bit of tyre dressing is the least of your worries.