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Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Simple Green and a brush. Then hose it all off under pressure.
Originally Posted by Bubba Zanetti
Another vote for Simple Green. Wait for a day when it’s 35-40 degrees so you can rinse it outside.
Originally Posted by Tommy C
Dilute the Simple Green 50% with water.. It will still clean very well and be easier on the bare aluminum parts and pieces.
I too use Simple Green, but I use Extreme Simple Green. It was designed for aircraft and is much easier on metals like aluminum than the regular Simple Green. It is more expensive and also should be diluted a little bit.
I have been using Extreme Simple Green on all my vehicles and my 4 Harleys for 8-10 years now. After spraying heavily on engine & trans cases, then flushing well with water (and/or using a brush) I follow it up with Pig Spit on the black engine case surfaces. Looks like new!!
So a few years back I went through a MASSIVE cleaning of my engine and the formula that I found worked especially well was
SIMPLE GREEN + MAGIC ERASER PADS.
Keep in mind, this was on the silver powder coat that's found on the Super Glides of the 2000's. That silver wrinkle is almost impossible to keep clean, and takes on a more of a brown especially in the case of the fins near the rocker covers. However, with some patience I got it to almost new. But, man, it took some serious patience and elbow grease. I haven't had to do it again since then, and that was like 3 years ago. Probably due for another dooshing soon. Maybe that'll be my winter project.
I had a 2002 Super Glide with the "blond" engine. I hated cleaning day just for the reason you mentioned. PITA to keep clean. God forbid your base gaskets or rockers weep a little.
Thought I'd follow up. I showed the post cleaning pictures earlier in this thread and here's the finished product, well I haven't polished the shiny bits yet, but all the wrinkle black is done. I hosed it down with Harley engine brightener, which I believe is S100 and since I'm lazy and in no hurry let it sit for the last month or so. I did the excess wipe off before these pictures and anything else will burn off on start.
Last edited by snake_eyes; Mar 28, 2026 at 09:29 AM.
It's been my experience that wrinkle black engine cases turn to tan because the bike was ridden in the rain. Hot engine surfaces quickly evaporate the rain goo and the tan engine cases becomes "permanent". Due to all the nooks and crannies on an engine, getting the cases clean from rain riding is dang near impossible.
Last edited by upflying; Mar 29, 2026 at 10:36 AM.
