Cleaning Tips

[Knoxvillejs]

Good Morning All

I have just bought a new V Strom which I have now put 500 miles on! I have been washing as I go but now want to do a full clean.........

I'm looking for tips on how to get the best results, and I thought there is no better place to start than here..

Which products do you recommend? Technique? Etc Etc

I will welcome any suggestions no matter how weird and wacky they may be.

Thanks

[Jacko]

Castrol Greentec bike cleaner is the best of the bunch in my opinion, SDoc100 and Muc off are OK, but not as effective as Greentec.. So, get some of that and a set of bike cleaning brushes and get busy.. Hose it all off once you're done, new bike again..

[stibbs]

Well you know what I'll suggest eh?

Seriously, I bought mine new last May. Only occasionally washed her until November when I did the allyearbiker treatment. By then I'd got some rust on top of the front forks and a few engine bolts etc.

It's worth the money to do it now. You then only have to hose crud off, wash with mild soap every month or so to keep your bike looking new and knowing its fully protected from the dreaded rust!

Follow the link if you're interested

[willbo]

+1 for castrol. Its the best I've tried for grease and oil. I use a snow foam lance now connected to my jet wash (low setting and not angled to electrics and brakes) the results are the best non streak sparkling clean wash I've ever had. I then acf50 everywhere I can, lube everywhere else that needs it. This is my big wash method, normal wash is a gentle wash just to remove the dirt but leave the acf50.

[Knoxvillejs]

+1 for castrol. Its the best I've tried for grease and oil. I use a snow foam lance now connected to my jet wash (low setting and not angled to electrics and brakes) the results are the best non streak sparkling clean wash I've ever had. I then acf50 everywhere I can, lube everywhere else that needs it. This is my big wash method, normal wash is a gentle wash just to remove the dirt but leave the acf50.

Acf50 ????? What's this ?

[Jacko]

http://www.acf-50.co.uk/

[mr_diver]

ACF-50 and plenty of dirt on top of it.

that way when you go to sell it it'll be mint condition (under the dirt) and while you own it, no-one will think it's worth stealing!  
 :text-givemebeer:

but I think I may give her the All Year Biker treatment before next winter.  

[Knoxvillejs]

http://www.acf-50.co.uk/

Thanks Jacko !

[willbo]

I highly recommend acf50, a light coating on engine, exhaust, nuts and bolts and electrics. . Well everywhere really except wheels, brakes and  painted /plastics which don't rust. Only need a thin layer wiped on with a rag or sprayed on and wipe the excess off. I've used it since day 1 as I used it on my older bike before my strom. Not a patch of rust on her ,except my brake disc which comes off on a ride and a dirty rear sprovket I just can't get clean.

[willbo]

Ps acf50 might look expensive but a bottle lasts years for me (I believe it has a 2 year life in a bottle)

[stibbs]

Ps acf50 might look expensive but a bottle lasts years for me (I believe it has a 2 year life in a bottle)

We usually advise a year shelf life.  

[willbo]

We usually advise a year shelf life.  

A year? that's not long to be honest. Not long enough at all. Especially as 1 bottle lasts so long

[stibbs]

I'll check and get back to you.... I don't want to feed you duff info

[willbo]

Seen 2 posts on google search 1 says due to improvements and changes to the recipe the shelf life has increased to 3 years and all year biker say 2 years on their page with a note saying due to improvements shelf life now increased to 3 years

[stibbs]

Seen 2 posts on google search 1 says due to improvements and changes to the recipe the shelf life has increased to 3 years and all year biker say 2 years on their page with a note saying due to improvements shelf life now increased to 3 years

Yep, you're spot on Willbo.

We now recommend shelf life of 3 years. So a can, although seemingly expensive, will last some time.

[neltek]

Being a wuss I am a little nervous of cleaning my bike too much
Not really clear on what should be cleaned and what to avoid (brakes and electrics?)

Probably 'cos it doesn't have a keyboard attached

Any easy instructions would be welcome.

[willbo]

Visit youtube and type down cleaning motorcycle or something. I remember a good clips a few months ago with a bloke cleaning his bike the proper way. On my phone at moment so can't link


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HREqf4wIukA&sns=em


edit to add link