Bike cleaning survey

[Ncdan]

Just a little lite hearted survey.
Does your bike cleaning kit include a tooth brush, Q tips, off set handle brushes or other unconventional tools?  Just checking to see if I�m the only fanatic here when it comes to cleaning up my Calvin.

[twhitaker]

Fanatic? You are. Cleaning a bike is the best way to get it to not work.

[Guzzistajohn]

I keep ‘em clean. And running. Once you get one cleaned up it’s easy to keep it that way.

[Perazzimx14]

Just checking to see if I�m the only fanatic here when it comes to cleaning up my Calvin.

Who else would be a fanatic when it comes to cleaning your Calvin?

[Chuck in Indiana]

There's no better way to find that loose fastener, wire, abraded hose, etc. than a good cleaning. That doesn't include a high pressure wash job, though. Besides that, I *hate* working on a dirty machine.

[timonbik]

I'd rather ride than clean but I will admit that I keep the shiny bits shiny and the paint waxed but that DOES NOT include a tooth brush and QTips.  To me that is over the top and yes perhaps a bit anal but to each his own.

Cheers, Tim

[guzzisteve]

Fanatic? You are. Cleaning a bike is the best way to get it to not work.

Yes, I agree. My 700 has never been washed since I've owned it(25yrs) . Motor & drive train degreased along w/wheels.

[Guzzistajohn]

There's no better way to find that loose fastener, wire, abraded hose, etc. than a good cleaning. That doesn't include a high pressure wash job, though. Besides that, I *hate* working on a dirty machine.

I heard Dick Mann make exactly the same point at a trials meet one time, if it’s good enough for Bugsy and Chuck, it’s good enough for me.

[Sheepdog]

I�m with Chuck. Cleaning the bike up is a great preventative maintenance activity. I even clean my bike at the end of each day�s ride when traveling...and for the same reason. As for the Q-Tips, pipe cleaners, and brush kits; I use them on restorations and each bike’s once a year detailing. Most times it’s just Original Bike Spirits spray detailer and a microfiber towel.

[Guzzistajohn]

I�m with Chuck. Cleaning the bike up is a great preventative maintenance activity. I even clean my bike at the end of day�s ride when traveling...and for the same reason.

I rarely clean on a trip, the collection of bug splat is a badge of honor and an old dude I used to ride with believed it was bad JuJu. But I do clean up after the trip.

[j.r.r.]

In my opinion cleaning bikes is part of riding, also clean bikes run better and faster

I don't use any specific detailing tools, just water, shampoo, wax and rugs. I not sure I qualify as a fanatic but like to keep my cars and bikes clean.

[Ncdan]

There's no better way to find that loose fastener, wire, abraded hose, etc. than a good cleaning. That doesn't include a high pressure wash job, though. Besides that, I *hate* working on a dirty machine.

Thank you Chuck, it�s great to have a back up:) I just threw out the tooth brush and Q tips for examples however when one purchases a used bike that has been cared for like some of these guys do, to get it like it deserves to be one must use small brushes and a toothbrush works great when dipped in a good cleaner, and to clean oil and grime that is in hard to reach places. How else can one find leaks other than keeping it clean.

[kingoffleece]

A clean bike is a happy bike.

[Yukonica]

The bike is cleaned for winter storage, during every rain (don't understand fair weather riders), and immediately after traversing road construction to wash the calcite off before it bonds to the paint. Once in a while I'll pander to my vanity and take a bucket and sponge to it for a random wipe-down but I wouldn't call that a cleaning.

[Darren Williams]

None of my bikes are garage queens or show pieces. My old carbed and analog dashed Thruxton is the closest to fanatical cleaning I get and that is tooth brush yes, Q-tip level no.

My other bikes are cleaned appropriately for the use. Touring bikes get the body work washed and waxed several times a year with oiled bits sprayed and cleaned (I hate leaky gasket residue collecting dirt). The dirt bikes get a hose and boat brush treatment and only get detailed cleaning in prep for maintenance. My GS gets ridden in the rain regularly, so that amounts to it's level of cleaning.

I would rather ride than clean or wrench.

[John A]

It's just part of corrosion prevention. Some people have higher standards and I've always admired them for it. The early version of tubeless spoked rims try my patience but need to be kept after or the heartbreak of Intergranular exfoliation sets in.

[egschade]

Ride almost every day - clean almost every weekend - detail a couple times a year.

[Dharma Bum]

I'm waiting for the Turnip to weigh in.

[Fontain25]

My Ambassador has the original patina - I use foaming bathroom cleaner to maintain it.

[dee g]

Cheap toothbrushes from the dollar store, imitation 'loofa' sponges, Q-tips, Pledge, and if needed a coffee can half filled with solvent and either one of them toothbrushes, or a throwaway paint brush.

Sitting out by the shop washing a bike is kind of relaxing for me. I've also come across, cracking fuel lines, mouse nests, wasp nest, broken wires, missing bolts/screws, etc.

Too cold to be out washing bikes right now, but I did have to do one of our Honda NT700's.  Orchardists are out in force spraying right now and Pete apparently drove through some over spray.  Covered the front end of the bike with white residue.  Half a dozen things are used during Pre-Bloom stage, some of those are not nice to paint and metal parts.

[LowRyter]

I clean my bike after I ride it. 

In fact, I remember a trip I took to Springfield where my fellow riders got onto me about, saying it was "bad luck".   

Funny, my speedometer and my watch both went bonkers on that trip.  And when I put a new battery in my watch, the speedo started working again, at least for a few more months.

[Guzzistajohn]

I clean my bike after I ride it. 

In fact, I remember a trip I took to Springfield where my fellow riders got onto me about, saying it was "bad luck".   

Funny, my speedometer and my watch both went bonkers on that trip.  And when I put a new battery in my watch, the speedo started working again, at least for a few more months.

Bad JuJu to clean on a trip, I'm tellin' you man..........

[lucian]

I do like to keep up on the cleaning but gave up the q tips and toothbrush after my ears and teeth started turning black.

[yogidozer]

you do have more than one toothbrush.....righ t? 

[Chuck in Indiana]

A Guzzi Guy with more than one toothbrush?? Crazy talk.  Those things are expensive..

[Fontain25]

Do any of you remember the name of a product that you would mix with cleaning solvent or kerosene and could use as a degreaser ; but when rinsed with water it turned into a detergent-like cleaner?

[Lannis]

I heard Dick Mann make exactly the same point at a trials meet one time, if it�s good enough for Bugsy and Chuck, it�s good enough for me.

Bugs.   He doesn't like Bugsy ... Bugsy was a gangster .....

Lannis

[yogidozer]

Do any of you remember the name of a product that you would mix with cleaning solvent or kerosene and could use as a degreaser ; but when rinsed with water it turned into a detergent-like cleaner?

not sure about that one, but you might try Simple Green?
https://simplegreen.com/products/all-purpose-cleaner/

[rtbickel]

Sheepskin wash mitt, car wash soap and a bucket of warm water.  A stiff brush for the wheels if they're grungy and a once over with the leaf blower and a towel  Wax if I'm feeling frisky.  On a road trip, a hot wet hotel towel on the windshield for the bug guts.

[Lannis]

Sheepskin wash mitt, car wash soap and a bucket of warm water.  A stiff brush for the wheels if they're grungy and a once over with the leaf blower and a towel  Wax if I'm feeling frisky.  On a road trip, a hot wet hotel towel on the windshield for the bug guts.

And by that I hope you mean:

"... a hot wet hotel towel (a worn out one given to you for bike cleaning by the desk) on the windshield for the bug guts .... "

Otherwise it will soon be 1968 again in hotel/motel attitude toward motorcyclists!   

Lannis