Bike Washing Question
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 364
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From: Toledo, OH
Bike Washing Question
I just can't seem to bring myself to take a hose and start running water over my engine, or really anywhere on my bike. Doesn't that screw up electrical stuff. Surely, when washing your bike, you don't direct running water up in the carburator area. What about getting water on the rectifier at the front of the bike right in front of the oil filter? Can that get flooded with water?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,380
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From: NC
RE: Bike Washing Question
Agreed.. I try not to spray with too much pressure up behind the air cleaner, but I've sprayed the front area around the voltage regulator quite often and not run into any problems, but who knows... I don't recall the manual saying anything about it.
The bikes are designed to ride in the rain, so they're fairly resilient to being wet.. one would assume.
Interesting question. [sm=interesting.gif]
The bikes are designed to ride in the rain, so they're fairly resilient to being wet.. one would assume.
Interesting question. [sm=interesting.gif]
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 899
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From: South Carolina
RE: Bike Washing Question
Well, though I wouldn't say that it couldn't happen, I spray my scoots with water each time I've washed them. never had a problem. I do let the bike dry before riding.
I wouldn't use high pressure around certain areas (like the a/c/carb) and I try to not spray water directly into those areas as well.
I wouldn't use high pressure around certain areas (like the a/c/carb) and I try to not spray water directly into those areas as well.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
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From: Alaska
RE: Bike Washing Question
Surely, when washing your bike, you don't direct running water up in the carburator area.
You can put a shower cap over the stock air cleaner to help keep the water out.
But remember, these things will run in the rain so washing it should not be a problem.
I pull the seat and cover the battery area with a plastic bag and sometimes cover the air cleaner.
Do not aim directly at the air intakes and as suggested use a leaf blower or something similar to dry. I usually ride mine dry.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,386
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From: Johnston County, NC
RE: Bike Washing Question
Ditto... I hit mine with water all the time... I just use the shower setting on the nozzle.. And I don't go nuts. I have an EFI though... But rumor has it that water and the PCIII are not compatible... Even with a metric ton of dielectic grease in there.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
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From:
RE: Bike Washing Question
I use a pressure and setting about equal to a shower, not a full stream high pressure. Very light pressure with a sponge, dipping it in a bucket after every swipe to get any hard debris off. Then light mist to rinse the soap off. I take it for a short ride to dry it, then polish.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
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From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: Bike Washing Question
Why does everyone think these things are the Mona Lisa? They are motorcycles. They are designed to ridden in all kinds of weather, including pouring rain.
On one trip alone I rode for nearly 800 miles in a steady downpour. There were 14 other bikes with me, and many more on the road, and I didn't see one breakdown due to the bike being waterlogged.
Don't hit the bike directly around the wheel bearings, carb, or electrical stuff with a real high pressure car wash wand, but don't worry about using soap and water to wash it.
Regards,
Bill
On one trip alone I rode for nearly 800 miles in a steady downpour. There were 14 other bikes with me, and many more on the road, and I didn't see one breakdown due to the bike being waterlogged.
Don't hit the bike directly around the wheel bearings, carb, or electrical stuff with a real high pressure car wash wand, but don't worry about using soap and water to wash it.
Regards,
Bill
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