Author Topic: How do you clean yours?  (Read 22950 times)

Offline k11pfc

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  • From Portsmouth UK and Riding a 1994 K1100rs
How do you clean yours?
« on: September 10, 2011, 05:51:20 PM »
I have just bought a K1100rs which the previous owner bought up to a show standard, absolutely mint, now I like to ride my bikes but I also like them to look good, but, I'm lazy and want to know is there a short cut to cleaning but still keeping bike looking gorgeous. What cleaning stuff do others use? What order do you do it in? Is a pressure washer a no go? Whats the point of chamois leather, how are they best used?
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Offline johnny

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2011, 06:17:00 PM »
i sprayed the bug with semi truck diesel engine degreaser... floor to ceiling n wall to wall... let it sit for a while then spayed it off with water... then sprayed it with the pink n purple foam wax... then sprayed it off with spot free rinse... takes about 20 quarters n 10 minutes... then i would blast up the freeway till it was dry...

no motobrick ever looked as good as the bug...

j o
  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline Chaos

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2011, 06:31:23 PM »
I'd stay away from pressure washers.  Too likely water will get forced into bearings and electrical doo dads where it will create havoc.  Best to get a rag and bucket of soap, turn on Car Talk on a Saturday morning and intimately get to know your bike
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline mystic red

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2011, 08:52:51 PM »
I don't even use soap most of the time. Micro fiber cloth and a bucket of water. Then the fake chamois to dry. One part of the bike at a time.

Offline wmax351

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2011, 10:25:58 PM »
Bug and tar remover and a microfiber towel works wonders. Even leaves a wax finish behind.
  • Albuquerque, NM
  • 91 BMW K75 Standard, 98 Moto Guzzi California EV
Bikes:
Current:1991 BMW K75 Standard, 1998 Moto Guzzi California EV11
Past: '83 BMW R65LS, '75 Honda CB550F, '69 Honda CB175, 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, 1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V, 1971 BMW R75/5 in Toaster outfit, 1979 Harley Davidson XLS-1000 Sportster Roadster

Offline Lawrence

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2011, 09:57:19 AM »
Stay away from high pressure water, period!  As mentioned, it will harm the electrics.  Also note that the rear drive has a vent on the top of the housing.  Water can enter that vent and contaminate the hypoid oil within.  Definitely avoid that.
1985 K100RS

1982 Laverda Mirage 1200TS
1983 BMW R100RS

Offline Chaos

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2011, 11:14:54 AM »
Turtle Wax "ice" should be mentioned here.  Not only is a great wax (no streaks, good shine) it does not leave white residue on black plastic and rubber, it almost acts like Armorall. Neat stuff, try it. 
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline johnny

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2011, 12:10:15 PM »
jumpin jimmy b uses turdle wax ice n his heap loos amazingly marvelous...

j o
  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline k11pfc

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  • From Portsmouth UK and Riding a 1994 K1100rs
Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2011, 04:20:53 PM »
Turtle Wax "ice" should be mentioned here.  Not only is a great wax (no streaks, good shine) it does not leave white residue on black plastic and rubber, it almost acts like Armorall. Neat stuff, try it. 
Jesus, I remember Armourall, I used to use it back in the 80's, brilliant stuff, I'd forgotten all about it, have to look to see if it's still available over here.
Play up Pompey

Offline frankenduck

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2011, 04:00:59 PM »
Mothers or Meguiars "Cleaner Wax."  No need to wash and wax.  Just one pass with that stuff and you're good to go - cleans and waxes.
Once I had a Collie pup. Dug a hole and covered him up. Now I sit there by the hour. Waiting for a Collie-flower.
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Offline billday

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #10 on: September 13, 2011, 05:36:07 PM »
I make a point of riding through a rain shower at least once a month.
  • New York State, USA 10977
  • 1985 K100

Offline leecow

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2011, 08:14:57 PM »
Griot's Garage all the way ... Speed Shine, Polish, Wax and Vinyl & Rubber Dressing
Lee
'93 K1100RS

Offline blakey

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2011, 08:16:24 AM »
Armourall? Try 303 Aerospace Protectant...it has a Sun Protection Factor of 40. Far better than Armouall.
blakey
K100RS 1986 RED!
North of Bris Vegas, Queensland, Oz.

Offline Lawrence

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2011, 10:31:24 PM »
Is that available outside of Oz? ???
1985 K100RS

1982 Laverda Mirage 1200TS
1983 BMW R100RS

Offline blakey

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #14 on: September 15, 2011, 08:15:25 PM »
Have a look at www.303products.com for it...and they have free samples by the looks!
Available everywhere apparently.
blakey
K100RS 1986 RED!
North of Bris Vegas, Queensland, Oz.

Offline Lawrence

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #15 on: September 15, 2011, 10:47:27 PM »
thanks for the tip!  I plan to try the "free" sample assortment.
1985 K100RS

1982 Laverda Mirage 1200TS
1983 BMW R100RS

Offline johnny

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #16 on: September 24, 2011, 10:09:51 AM »
greetings ocd mofos...















happy now...

j o

  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline frankenduck

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #17 on: September 24, 2011, 11:07:17 AM »
You still need a front fender extender.  I'm gonna bring one down and secretly install it in the parking lot in October while you and Micki are off caressing the brayers.
Once I had a Collie pup. Dug a hole and covered him up. Now I sit there by the hour. Waiting for a Collie-flower.
New to K bikes? Click here.
K Bike Maintenance & Mods: Click here.
Buy parts here.

Offline Chaos

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #18 on: September 24, 2011, 11:44:47 AM »
Shame you can't leave the suds on.  Gives it an organic look. 
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline Brickhead

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #19 on: September 24, 2011, 02:50:09 PM »
Pledge
Loud pipes annoy people, well designed helmets save lives.
1996 K1100RS-SE
1983 BMW R100RT

Offline johnny

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #20 on: September 24, 2011, 04:46:25 PM »
interesting you would say pledge...

im addicted to pledge...



this is how it starts... the 1st shot is free...



they call me 3 can johnny...



j o
  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline Twisted Trader

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #21 on: September 24, 2011, 05:10:05 PM »
Alight shower, then towel dry...

Offline BobZ(IL)

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #22 on: September 25, 2011, 12:15:53 AM »
Good old Lemon Pledge, that oughta draw the bees.
  • Bourbonnais IL
'93 K1100LT
'78 R100S
'05 R1200GS

Offline johnny

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Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #23 on: September 25, 2011, 10:37:21 AM »
the burd n the bees... both smooth like honey...

j o
  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline k11pfc

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  • From Portsmouth UK and Riding a 1994 K1100rs
Re: How do you clean yours?
« Reply #24 on: September 25, 2011, 03:19:03 PM »
I used to use Pledge years ago, have just started again, I get a much better finish than with most other specialist polishes, I wonder if there is a lasting downside?
Play up Pompey

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