Cleaning and Polishing

[Rob B]

I have just seen an immaculate 888 SP5 and while it was nice to admire the little bits of detailing the owner had done it made me wonder when he gets the time to ride it.

I was wondering how people keep the really clean specials immaculate. If you polish a swing arm while it's off the bike how do you keep it all looking great? Getting your polishing rag in around the damper is a good way to chew all the skin off your knuckles. Does anyone actually strip bits off their pride and joy to primp and preen?

Regards,

Rob

[Nigel C]

dear oh dear oh dear !!!

i think you may regret posting this :D

there will be serial polishers crawling out from the woodwork for this one.:saint:

gonna be a long thread i think :sing:

[Sticky]

I wonder this aswell. Mine gets a wash and polish when I can't get out on it, ie looking after kids in hols etc. otherwise I prefer to ride.

[nelly]

I find that once a bike is "truely" clean, then keeping on top of it is pretty easy.
I "stripped" my 748 down two years ago, see "9 1/2 weeks" on the old board.
After that, If the bike gets really ditched (it has happened) I use a mild degreaser such as Muc-Off or Dirt Attack and give everything a thorough soaking. I then use a garden sprayer to clean in all the nooks and crannys, then use soapy water and the garden sprayer again.
I find the garden sparayer better than a hose as the volume of water is less, but you can actually get quite good pressure out of it. Lots of water and Dukes doesn't usually mix too well, especially if you have an early Datatool :o
Every once in a while, I pull the body work off and clean the chassis that you don't usually see.
I've never really liked using strong degreasers on the bike because of washing the lubes and greases away. The gentler cleaners work fine.
For polishing, I use Color-Glo every now and again, and Plexus regularly.

[Nigel C]

Hmmm where's all the polishers gone then this post ain't going to run and run then !!

i'll get my coat

[Sticky]

They're out polishing!!

[Dibble]

oh dear oh dear oh dear ....

polishing ... how unbeleivably pointless ...

at least cleaning serves a purpose ....

but i dont do either ......

[Nigel C]

what don't you clean Dibs you or the bike http://burns.thefinaldimension.org/contrib/blackeye/Eyecrazy.gif



:P

[rcgbob44]

Ok I admit it, I enjoy polishing my bikes.

I find it very relaxing to escape into the garage with a bottle of wine and some music!

[Rattler]

...............why don't you just buy a new one!!!;););):D:o:P;):D:o:P;):D

Tim:frog:

[Dibble]

or spray it with Mr Muscle and go on a ride in the rain ......

[Nigel Booker]

Why wait for the rain just pop into the local car wash.

[kwikbitch]

Originally posted by rcgbob44
Ok I admit it, I enjoy polishing my bikes.

I find it very relaxing to escape into the garage with a bottle of wine and some music!
MMMMM!?:o:P No I wont say that, it's much too difficult for a Mysogonist to cope with:P

[rcgbob44]

My god you can be so cruel!:(

I can escape from the wife and kids in my garage...........................now that Kylie has found another:(:(:(:(

[Jools]

Last year I put on a braided rear brake line, and while I was bleeding the system I accidentally spilled some brake fluid all over the back of the engine and nearby frame tubes. I instantly fired a load of Muc-Off at it, then sloshed a bucket of water over it. Did the same thing about 5 times until I was sure that there was no brake fluid etching any paintwork.

After all this I was amazed to find the rear shock, the swingarm, and all the nooks and crannies absolutely gleaming like new. No elbow grease or skinned knuckles at all required. Used nearly three quarters of a bottle of Muc-Off though so expensive to do the whole bike like that at £6.50 or whatever for a bottle.

While I'm on this subject, I do resent paying out so much for stuff like Muc-Off. I'm not a fanatical polisher, I only wash the bike about once a week but even so I was using a bottle every two washes. I found that the spray mechanism on the bottle they provide it in really spews the stuff out and uses it up quickly - good for sales no doubt. So, in a Viz like cost cutting tip, just decant the stuff into a cleaned out empty household spray bottle (like Windolene). The spray is much finer, you can direct it better so you don't fire loads of spray into mid air, and the finer droplets seem to make a better job of soaking into greasy bits. Bottom line is I found it does just as good a job but lasts twice as long.

I think I'll get one of the big 5 litre(?) refills now, it might last all year.

[Dazza]

Whare can i get Muc-Off from?
cheers.

[madmav]

its in the mags mail order from them !

[Dazza]

That MucOff is great....I used half a litre today cleaning the engine!
Might try decanting it down next time.

Anybody used their spray, 'Bike Spray'..is it any good?
I personally use AutoGlym super resin polish, silicon spray and instant bike shine...any ideas how it would compare?

cheers.

[Rob B]

I think the Bike Spray is a bit like WD40. It's ok for dispersing water but careful of brakes and rubber parts.

[Nattyboy]

Guilty as charged your honour!..I do enjoy stripping the bikes down on a sunday morning during summer months every few weeks and having a good clean..but I always make sure Ive got a four pack of carling to keep me company ;)

As for polish, ive tried 'em all. Always used autoglym super resin/hi gloss. Tried MER but thought it was shite, but the best is the turtle wax in the lumo green bottle. Great gear (the whole range).

Nat



Nat

[888heaven]

if anyone wants to have a good excuse for a complete clean, look on the 900ss site,i believe one of us sad polishers found his frame cracked enough said""""""

[Road Runner]

I would like on know what rcgbob44 uses I have seen the photos of his bike its mint :o

[Road Runner]

I use Muc off to clean it or Halfords engine cleaner is also good
Turtle wax or Mer to polish works well for me.

[Nigel C]

Originally posted by Road Runner
I would like on know what rcgbob44 uses I have seen the photos of his bike its mint :o

thats cos it's red and it doesn't go fast enough to get dirty :lol::lol::lol::sing:

[rcgbob44]

Roadruner
I just use jizer and a brush then when its dry I use Autoglym and silver polish, silver polish is non abrasice and removes water marks etc from chrome and S/S.

O yes...................your a **** Nigel!:lol:

[rcgbob44]

Here`s mine Roadrunner.

[yorkshire pud]

muk off. can you drink it.:lol::lol::eureka:

[Rocker]

Originally posted by Sticky
I wonder this aswell. Mine gets a wash and polish when I can't get out on it, ie looking after kids in hols etc. otherwise I prefer to ride.
I have to agree with this If the weather is good enough to go out and clean the bike then it's good enough to ride it.
Which would you prefer to do?

[keefer]

I have to confess I am a serial cleaner.
If I take it out for a hour or two I will spend about the same time cleaning it.
Don't know why just always have done, guess its something to do with getting out the house and listening to the radio, and I like the way it looks when its all done,

[rcgbob44]

Wow Keefer!

You`ve polished yours so much that the side panels are really thin, I can even see your engine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nathanhu]

cleaning is always a good time to inspect for damage...



took my old magnisium marvic wheels off the 748 and removed the tyres for a quick clean and polish and found all the rear spokes had sheared almost through !!!!!!!

cant clean enough now i say.........:lol:

[sbwells]

Originally posted by nathanhu
cleaning is always a good time to inspect for damage...



took my old magnisium marvic wheels off the 748 and removed the tyres for a quick clean and polish and found all the rear spokes had sheared almost through !!!!!!!

cant clean enough now i say.........:lol:

Holy snapping duck shitt Batman...

That's bloody frightening

Race use only or road work as well?

[Rob B]

Yep, dam and wow. How old where they?

[nathanhu]

about four years old .. just a bit of road use and 1 year on the track
ill have a look for a photo........

[Rob B]

Hmm, and there I was firmly considering a set of Mags for road use. Maybe, maybe not.

Rgds, Rob

[nathanhu]

dont bother,
the new cast alloy whells are as light and dont have the problems that the mag wheels do

[nathanhu]

heres that pic

[keefer]

looks like something machined them,
what do you recon caused that ?
Its very symmetrical to be stress related

[nathanhu]

what do you mean by machined???

[keefer]

like something has been hitting the spokes as the wheel has been turning around

[nathanhu]

i havnt got a better pic on my pc to show you but i can assure you its a manufacturing problem not any thing like that