| Author | Message | ||
     Hooch1 |
My rims drive me plumb loco when I handwash my bike. What is the easiest way to clean them? Are there any brushes you use that gently clean them and can hit all those crazy nooks and crannies? I avoid anything more than dusting them with one of those disposable household dusters on a stick but sometimes I gotta wash them. I thank you and my aching back thanks you, too! | ||
| Badlionsfan |
that wheel cleaner at the self serve car washes works pretty good for me, you just can't let them go too long before you clean them. i wash my whole bike at the car wash actually. spend 50 cents on the throw away towel to dry and ride away. you should see the looks i get. | ||
| Bads1 |
Power washer's and motorcycles don't mix. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I normally wash my Firebolt using a hose and a very gentle stream of water. Then I spray it with a good motorcycle cleaner/degreaser that's widely available at your local Cycle Gear store. Then I hose it off again. This includes the wheels. Finally, I wipe it dry with about two towels. The first is to get most of the water out. The second is to get the final moisture out. I get to the nooks and crannies of my wheels by using the towels. That is the only way to keep those wheels clean. Dry brushing won't do much. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
the only this i use the high pressure for is the wheels and bugs on the screen an head lights. the rest of the bike i don't pull the trigger, just use the fine, low pressure spray that comes out that way. | ||
| Ezblast |
Be careful of hitting your wheel bearings while its on high. EZ | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
PLEXUS!!! | ||
| Badlionsfan |
EZ- I just go around the perimeter of the wheel on high. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
<~~~~It's time consuming, but the best way is to hand wash. I then use a leaf blower for drying. I used to use a product called Bike Bright. But I found over time, it caused the wrinkle black on my Springer to come off. I also think it degrades the gaskets, but this is just a SWAG* on my part. *SWAG= Scientific Wild Azz Guess | ||
| Zoedogg1 |
I use a hose with a nozzle. First I cover certain parts with syran? wrap. I then spray a light coat of S100 engine cleaner on the bike and the wheels and brakes (not the bearings) This stuff eat most all the oil, grease, and dirt off. I do rinse it off with plenty of pressure since I have everything "not water friendly" covered. I got it at our local Harley shop and it works awesome. Very important to follow directions though. I then blast it with air off my compressor, then towel the rest. Works great for me and no problems. The S100 cleans the wheels really well though, they sparkle like new every time. | ||
| Hooch1 |
Thanks for all the ideas, guys. I'm a hand washer and I avoid the high-pressure sprays but it sounds like that, along with engine degreaser used carefully, may get those hard-to-reach spoke nooks clean. I have thin fingers but I still can't get my fingers and a towel in some tight places. Have a great weekend!!! | ||
| Firebolt32 |
It's time consuming, but the best way is to hand wash. I then use a leaf blower for drying. +1 on that. I found my air compressor works pretty well to dry it as well. | ||
| Lonexb |
i powder coated my rims flat black. the dirtier the get the better they look.(as long as no one touches them and makes clean marks) brian | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Since I have black wheels I don't clean them very often. But when I do I use a tea towel (hand towel?) and sort of floss the wheels. It is the only way I am able to do it without cutting my hands to shreds. | ||
| Jos51700 |
I took the wheels off, and used a gentle mag wheel cleaner in the kitchen sink, with a toothbrush for some VERY dirty, never-washed wheels, and it did okay. The trick to getting clean is, as mentioned, keeping it clean. | ||
| Swordsman |
The spokes are the real PITA.... hard to reach in and get all those right angles. Especially the hollows in the rear spokes, with all the guards and sprockets and whatnot to reach around. ~SM | ||
| Ratbuell |
Do what I do - don't wash it. I have 2 tubers with white Marchesini wheels. They drive me crazy enough what with having to put the bike on the pit bulls so I can spin the wheels to get to all points...my Uly gets "washed" when I ride in the rain lol. And +1 on the "clean spots" comment above. I've yelled at techs to make sure not to leave any clean spots on my bike when they service it. Usually they'll hit a mud puddle on the road test just to cover 'em up  | ||
| Zoedogg1 |
As far as the rear goes, it is much, MUCH easier if the bike is on a rear stand. all you have to do is turn the wheel as you go. Same with the front one Im sure, but I dont have a front stand. Just roll the whole bike forward a foot and your good. | ||
| Barker |
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| Paint_shaker |
Is that what you would call a "rim job"??? ROFLMAO!!! | ||
| Barker |
good one shaker! never saw that one coming!  | ||
| Specialed |
^^ now that's just •••••• disturbing... | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
So how did she get brake dust on her left foot? | ||
| Froggy |
Paint_shaker, i had to google that one! Thanks for corrupting me! | ||
| Lovematt |
I use a couple of kitchen scrub brushes (all plastic) with a 75 degree or so bend along with the cleaner (simple green cut down about 50%). One of the brushes has the bristles cut to about 1/2 long to get between the front spokes and inside the rear spoke pockets. The other brush with "stock" bristles is used for the rest of the wheel and getting between the gaps between the front disk and the rim. No need to use high pressure at all...just a shower of water from a nozzle to rinse off the cleaner and dirt. | ||
| Azxb9r |
You guys wash your bikes? I have found that I can't see how dirty my rims are when I am riding.  |
