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Engine Cleaner - 5/15/2008 7:43:47 PM   
vatolocal

 

Posts: 3
Joined: 5/15/2008
Status: offline 		I have a 23 year old EVO.  What should I use to brighten up the engine.  I have been using simple green and a brush, but I need something more aggressive.  Any advice is welcome.

Thanks
vato
Post #: 1
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/16/2008 3:31:47 AM   
btroy

 

Posts: 57
Joined: 8/24/2007
Status: offline 		depends on what part of the engine you are talking about, chrome, jugs, primary case, etc...

What are you trying to accomplish? Get a good shine or just clean.

I have user 0000 steel wool with success.

If you are working on a primary or something large you could always sand it with say 600 and work your way up to 1500 the buff. It really depends on what you are doing.

(in reply to vatolocal)
Post #: 2
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/16/2008 6:09:45 AM   
vatolocal

 

Posts: 3
Joined: 5/15/2008
Status: offline 		I am just trying to get a moderate shine, nothing too fancy. I just want the air cooling fins and the gaps in between to look a little brighter as now, they are just gray in color.

(in reply to btroy)
Post #: 3
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/16/2008 6:31:38 AM   
tpgun10


Posts: 73
Joined: 5/13/2008
Status: offline 		Simple Green is good stuff and I use it also on my bike (1988 FLHS) as it is a gentle claner/non-abrasive and can be used for a variety of things.

Try a product called S100 Engine Brightner as I've used it on my bikes and very pleased. It comes in a small 4.5 oz can and I'm pretty sure you can get it at the Harley Dealer in the cleaning section. It's also temp. stable and you just spray it on as it includes a unique metered spray tube that ensures a nice application-real easy!  Just make sure everything is all clean on the motor and all and spray. You'll be suprised.

What it really does is brings back that factory black look on engine cases but also good for cylinders, dull plastics, rubber...and is detergent resistent.

(in reply to vatolocal)
Post #: 4
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/16/2008 6:40:02 AM   
guild

 

Posts: 213
Joined: 3/15/2007
Status: offline 		 Take the motor out put it in your washing machine turn the settings to the clean Harley engine cycle at this point your wife will complaine about the noise coming from the washer tell her your washing all the sneakers in the house! 

     After washing the bike i warm the bike up slighty spray with
   Simple Green and rinse... It works for me see what you think?

(in reply to tpgun10)
Post #: 5
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/16/2008 11:07:44 AM   
tpgun10


Posts: 73
Joined: 5/13/2008
Status: offline 		FYI...

Here it is, check out www.S100.com for product info. on engine brightner.

(in reply to guild)
Post #: 6
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/16/2008 5:34:52 PM   
89 FXRS

 

Posts: 161
Joined: 12/8/2007
Status: offline 		I use dish soap in a bucket of water and dump it on the motor. About a quarter cup or little more of dish soap to three gallons of water.

It washes off the grime and brighten up the motor better than anything else I have seen.

You do not say what your ride is. Mine is a black painted motor with chrome primary and othe side parts. My jugs are natural aliminum due to me taking the black off when I had them off last time. I am pretty happy with the dish soap and have used it for many years including my Shovel way back when. Just throw it on the motor wipe it down then rinse.

(in reply to tpgun10)
Post #: 7
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/19/2008 6:03:52 AM   
92FLHS


Posts: 26
Joined: 11/2/2007
Status: offline
92FLHS's photo gallery 		I find that DAWN dishwashing detergent works really well for degreasing the engine.  as far as spit and polish im sure the other reccomendations are excellent.  I personally just like the clean look. If I wanted shiny I would have everything chromed but thats just a personal preference.




_____________________________



1992 Candy Ruby Red FLHS

(in reply to 89 FXRS)
Post #: 8
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/19/2008 6:55:12 AM   
lionsm13


Posts: 923
Joined: 10/7/2007
Status: offline 		S 100 engine brightener in the little red can, about 8 bucks.

_____________________________




CHANCE FAVORS THE PREPARED MIND


(in reply to 92FLHS)
Post #: 9
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/19/2008 9:50:01 AM   
BULL65

 

Posts: 35
Joined: 3/2/2007
Status: offline 		Thumbs up on the dish soap and the S-100. Been using it for years, and my motor (98 Fatboy) looks as good as when she was born..........

(in reply to lionsm13)
Post #: 10
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/19/2008 3:46:03 PM   
89 FXRS

 

Posts: 161
Joined: 12/8/2007
Status: offline 		 
quote:

ORIGINAL: 89 FXRS

I use dish soap in a bucket of water and dump it on the motor. About a quarter cup or little more of dish soap to three gallons of water.

It washes off the grime and brighten up the motor better than anything else I have seen.


quote:

ORIGINAL: 92FLHS

I find that DAWN dishwashing detergent works really well for degreasing the engine.  as far as spit and polish im sure the other reccomendations are excellent.  I personally just like the clean look. If I wanted shiny I would have everything chromed but thats just a personal preference.


You are right Dawn is the best! I forgot to mention the brand, Thank you..

I have tried Simply Green to clean my motor but I find that Dawn dish soap gives better results.

(in reply to 92FLHS)
Post #: 11
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/20/2008 10:48:22 AM   
Mr1986FLST

 

Posts: 47
Joined: 2/19/2008
Status: offline 		It sounds to me like you are wanting to polish the aluminium that has oxidized on the older EVO engines. I have used Mother's Mag and Aluminium Polish, it works great but takes some time and elbow-grease.  It might be similar to the Harley S100 polish. I have also used the aluminium polishes that come in a small tin-can and have a pre-treated buffer-cloth, and they work even better than the polish pastes. I cannot remember the brands I have used but when I get to my garage I'll check the can and post back here later.

(in reply to 89 FXRS)
Post #: 12
RE: Engine Cleaner - 5/20/2008 3:36:57 PM   
Mr1986FLST

 

Posts: 47
Joined: 2/19/2008
Status: offline 		I checked out my garage and the stuff I have is called TR Aluminium Polish by Nortech Cycle Systems, however I don't think they are around anylonger since I couldn't find them on the internet. But I have seen similar cans of the polish around so it is probably just marketed by someone else now.

I also use Blue Magic Liquid Metal Polish and it works great on aluminium and on other types of metals.

I looked at that S100 webpage and it looks like the engine brightener is used for the black coating between the fins on some of the later engines so I doubt that is what you are looking for.

(in reply to Mr1986FLST)
Post #: 13
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