Bath Time

[rjo3491]

Hello all:

After 30+ years of wanting a bike, I sprung for an FZ6 in July. Now 1,200 miles later, it could use a good cleaning (particularly before it's put up for a long Michigan Winter). Problem is, I've never washed a motorcycle. Do you turn a hose on it and use dish soap like the car (I know not to wet electronics) but can anything else be damaged (brake discs, pads, hoses, springs, levers etc.)??

I'd appreciate any advice, thanks!!

 

[hedmisten]

you can wash it just like a car. make sure you lube everything up and keep a full tank of gas while in storage. The bike's paint is cleared in the same stage that car paint is, just use some form of soft soap, water, and a terry cloth. Remember that bikes are rained on all the time, they usually stand up pretty well to water.

Have fun!

 

[damnpoor]

I've never washed a motorbike either. Mine could use one after the 7K miles I've put on her. Besides the chain are there any major lube points we need to hit after a wash?

 

[2-stroke]

Never use dish soap it is too strong, get a good car wash soap. Remember the bike is made for the rain and water is water. Don't spray pressured water on the chain or in the exhaust.

Before I put my bike up it gets a great fall cleaning (we still have almost two months left in MI to ride, just dress warm). A good cleaning to me means 1) bike gets washed with car soap and wash mit, then washed with a clay bar (takes off sap and old wax), next I dry with microfiber cloths, polish, then wax, not is shines and is ready to sit for the winter.

 

[D-Rock]

I've never washed a motorbike either. Mine could use one after the 7K miles I've put on her. Besides the chain are there any major lube points we need to hit after a wash?

your are kidding right? I just ride mine to the carwash... toss some quarters in the pressure washer and go to town.. then i take the towel
i brought with me in my saddle bag and wiper her down. sometimes I wax the tank. Get her up on the ceterstand when i get home and wax the chain with the spray wax lube stuff I bought at the Yamaha dealer. Ride her till I can't stand all the bugs on it, or somebody says, "wow your bike is dirty!" then repeat.

 

[damnpoor]

your are kidding right? I just ride mine to the carwash... toss some quarters in the pressure washer and go to town.. then i take the towel
i brought with me in my saddle bag and wiper her down. sometimes I wax the tank. Get her up on the ceterstand when i get home and wax the chain with the spray wax lube stuff I bought at the Yamaha dealer. Ride her till I can't stand all the bugs on it, or somebody says, \"wow your bike is dirty!\" then repeat.

I'm used to working on airplanes. It's not so easy on those suckers

 

[D-Rock]

my bike was so filthy the other day. the guys i work with were flipping me **** about it. but they are rubs anyway. sometimes we use suzuki wash.. yes i said suzuki wash, on our race quads. it works really good for dirt bikes and quads. i have never used it on my FZ6. after 7k and no wash, that thing is going to have some dirt in the cracks.

 

[rjo3491]

Many thanks for all the replies, and, have no fear 2-Stroke. The bike will stay out at least until my attention shifts to sighting up my Bambi killer!

 

[MisterX]

I used the Mr. Clean Auto Dry Car Wash sprayer thing. Turn the knob to soap, wash the bike (trying to make sure I get all the nook and crannies). Turn the knob to rinse, and all the impurities in the water that cause spots and other stuff are filtered out. I then chamois down the bike and then wax/polish. That's about it.

:thumbup:

X

 

[steveindenmark]

Do a SEARCH for washing and it will come up because this was discussed recently.

Steve

 

[Hollow]

you can wash it just like a car. make sure you lube everything up and keep a full tank of gas while in storage. The bike's paint is cleared in the same stage that car paint is, just use some form of soft soap, water, and a terry cloth. Remember that bikes are rained on all the time, they usually stand up pretty well to water.

Have fun!

Just curious I have always been told when I store something with a engine that takes oil, antifreeze or gas to drain them completely before storage. I was told for gas it will build up polutants you don't want running through your gas system. Please explain. Thanks

 

[Hollow]

I spray windex on a rag and wipe away. I keep the bike spotless 99.9% of the time. Also use WD-40 on the rims. It is amazing how easy and fast it gets all the grim off and not to mention the shine it leaves behind.

 

[2-stroke]

Just curious I have always been told when I store something with a engine that takes oil, antifreeze or gas to drain them completely before storage. I was told for gas it will build up polutants you don't want running through your gas system. Please explain. Thanks

FZ6 manual says to fill the gas tank with gas, this will prevent it from rusting. Gas has a lot more additives then it use to and will be fine for the winter. If you where going to store it for a year or more you probably want to drain it and coat the inside of the tank and cylinders with oil.

You can also ass fuel stabilizer if you want to.

 

[2-stroke]

Many thanks for all the replies, and, have no fear 2-Stroke. The bike will stay out at least until my attention shifts to sighting up my Bambi killer!

Good I'm glad i don't plan on stopping until snow covers the road