Engine cleaner.

Back from the trip to Cowra and will have to spend a fair bit of time cleaning up the girl. Bugs and road grim everywhere.  Thinking about the engine. Who has used what ? Would foaming " mag wheel cleaner " do a good job ? Or would it be too harsh ? Does anyone know a real good product ? Mine has the alloy and silver engine.

Kero and 2" paint brush .

I wouldn't be using mag wheel cleaner, I believe its acidic. Probably wouldn't hurt the alloy but on the silver paint I'd be concerned.

Drape/strap wet rags on all the areas with dried on bugs, like you would with your visor, let them soften up a bit, then wash them off.
Oh, I didn't get a chance to clean my lid after the Saturday ride, so I'm going to soak it for an extended time with a wet microfibre cloth in the morning

I just spray mine down with cheap australian export degreaser. never had a issue with paint

holdenman wrote:I just spray mine down with cheap australian export degreaser. never had a issue with paint

+1

holdenman wrote:I just spray mine down with cheap australian export degreaser. never had a issue with paint

I was like that with a old bike for years, one day the batch must have been different because it put run marks in the paint that never came out.


I use cheap car wash with a dash of kero, if it's really bad I'll use a bit of neat kero first

I can generally get away with a good soaking using water. On real tough shit I have been Kitten bug n tar remover but I rarely have to use it. I live in mozzy central and the bikes get a scrub most weekends so nothing is baked on for a long time. 

I did pull off a melted plastic bag from the headers last week.  That stain will be interesting to remove?

2wheelsagain wrote:I can generally get away with a good soaking using water. On real tough shit I have been Kitten bug n tar remover but I rarely have to use it. I live in mozzy central and the bikes get a scrub most weekends so nothing is baked on for a long time. 

I did pull off a melted plastic bag from the headers last week.  That stain will be interesting to remove?

Autosol & elbow grease

WD 40 is really good on Tar. Spray it on, let the tar start to run, then wipe it off.
I've done this on the work ute & my car. Haven't need to on the bike

I went with a spray of cheap degreaser first. Did not leave it on long. Then I used the mag wheel cleaner and a tooth brush. The one that "The Dentist uses ". Again not leaving it on too long. Worked a treat . Came up like new.

paul wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:I can generally get away with a good soaking using water. On real tough shit I have been Kitten bug n tar remover but I rarely have to use it. I live in mozzy central and the bikes get a scrub most weekends so nothing is baked on for a long time. 

I did pull off a melted plastic bag from the headers last week.  That stain will be interesting to remove?

Autosol & elbow grease

I keep checking Super Cheap catalogs but they never have Elbow Grease on special. Bastards

2wheelsagain wrote:

paul wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:I can generally get away with a good soaking using water. On real tough shit I have been Kitten bug n tar remover but I rarely have to use it. I live in mozzy central and the bikes get a scrub most weekends so nothing is baked on for a long time. 

I did pull off a melted plastic bag from the headers last week.  That stain will be interesting to remove?

Autosol & elbow grease

I keep checking Super Cheap catalogs but they never have Elbow Grease on special. Bastards

 



Spotted this stuff at KMart a while back , might be worth a look   

Give it a lick or two. the bugs wont taste good but....  
+1 for brush and kero - especially for tar and chain lube. stinky if you do it in your garage but really good.

giving it a wet for a minute and then light detergent works well too. brush lets you get into the nooks etc.