Want to KLEEEEEEEN it!

[Nubian]

Did a thread search, negative results.
What products/methods do you use to clean you iron horse? Would a 50/50 pine-sol and water work effectively without damaging finishes or connections? Can I make it even stronger say 75/25? Gunk does not remove everything, I guess there's no way around having to brush/scrub certain areas.

[lee_dutcher]

I use oven cleaner for all the grimey spots, then a stong soulution of dawn and water works good for me

[GLoweVA]

I tired some 'Spray & Wash' that my wife had in the laundry room to see if it would get the oily/grimey stuff off the motor and it seemed to work pretty well. I used an old toothbrush to cut thru the layers. It probably would have been better if I had a little higher pressure in the garden hose.

[CatatonicBug]

I've used the low-odor oven cleaner with good results. Don't get it on painted areas though - it will mar the finish. I recently found a good spray cleaner that really works well for the wheels, with a little scrubbing. As for regular washing though, any car wash soap will be fine. I use Maguires Gold Class Car Wash. Just make sure you seal up all oil leaks on the bike, and you won't have all that much to wash off each time. A little scrubbing will always be required though, just like on a car - a touchless carwash is never as good as a hand wash. If you use dish soap, it will strip the wax off the paint, and you'll need to re-wax each time. Car wash soaps are designed to leave the wax alone.

[crazy steve]

I use SimpleGreen (undiluted) on the stubborn spots (followed by thorough flushing with lots of water). I'd be careful with oven cleaner, as many of those are extremely corrosive to aluminum. Even SG is hard on aluminum, don't let it dry on it.

I haven't found a 'no-touch' cleaner yet that doesn't degrade the finish on aluminum over time... no substitute for elbow grease and/or a heavy protective cover of wax..

[WSL91]

Car wash and a warm motor. Grease is GONE

[James England]

I use a product which was invented by my stepfather and which is sold by my mother's paint and chemical company http://www.daleuk.co.uk

The product is called UK Gold and is a liquid spray which can be used neat for deep-seated grease or diluted up to 120 parts water to 1 part UK Gold for general cleaning use. I use it for everything on the bikes. It's non-corrosive, not acid or alkali, does not damage paintwork and works superbly.

I also use this product as a domestic cleaner. I've never seen anything work as well as this. You have to see it work to believe it. It makes Gunk and other products look very poor by comparison.

I can supply XSives with small bottles of this product (which can be shipped legally) which you can then dilute yourself and put into a trigger spray.

[jjz28]

Dawn and other dishwashing liquids are terrible on your paint. I used it for years and finally found that out. I have a freind that details and he told me about it, it will actually make your clear coat start to peel.

[zookey]

Your Pin-SOL idea is the best I think.

I have a 82 Nighthawk and soaked my carb bodies in a 50/50 pine-sol solution over night to clean them when I first bought him. Have to say that worked better and faster than parts cleaner and stuff that we used on the husbands XS11 carbs when he bought her.

You can go as far as straight Pine-SOL on the really grimey parts with out worrying about any damage to seals, gaskets, or paint.

Also leaves your bike with a very nice smell when done!

[jetmechmarty]

WD40 dissolves the grease without damage to paint, aluminum, rubber, or anything else. I spray it on the greasy spots and work with small brushes before I start washing.

MEK dissolves the boot soles melted on to your pipes. Just don't breath it or get it on your skin.

[mikubuilder]

MEK dissolves the boot soles melted on to your pipes. Just don't breath it or get it on your skin.

I wander how you found that out

[fredintoon]

I use a product which was invented by my stepfather and which is sold by my mother's paint and chemical company http://www.daleuk.co.uk
The product is called UK Gold - - -

Hi James,
if this wonder-jollop is a good as you say, I wouldn't mind compromising my principles by
1) actually cleaning my bike.
2) buying the cleaning product.
Is UK Gold sold in Canada?

[James England]

Hi James,
if this wonder-jollop is a good as you say, I wouldn't mind compromising my principles by
1) actually cleaning my bike.
2) buying the cleaning product.
Is UK Gold sold in Canada?

It's UK only but I'm going to look into quantities/costs and shipping costs this week and will post back asap!