Crap behind side covers
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 243
Likes: 51
From: Topeka, Kansas
Good thinking because that is a BAD idea. Some brake cleaners will ruin/soften rubber (such as all the abs hoses under right cover) and even melt certain plastics. I ruined a good (what I thought was good) plastic measuring cup with all the oz. graduations on it from having the bright idea of using brake clean to clean it out, had to buy a new one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 818
From: Nevada
You're all big boys and are going to do what you like ... but I can tell you ( from years of experience painting ) that common dish soaps are extremely tough on finishes as they remove ALL OF THE WAX and protectants that you have previously applied. Food for thought.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 23
From: Connecticut
About the only time I take the side covers off is at the end of the year before putting the bike up for the winter.
I clean the accumulated dust/dirt off the stuff inside with a rag, or maybe a paper towel moistened a bit with Glass Plus.
Works for me...
I clean the accumulated dust/dirt off the stuff inside with a rag, or maybe a paper towel moistened a bit with Glass Plus.
Works for me...
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
That depends.
Are you intending to do that temporarily while you wash the bike? If so, that's not a problem at all. I don't think it's necessary since everything in there is designed to get wet when you ride in the rain.
However, if you intend to put that in there and leave it, that would be a very bad idea. It would get wet, trap and hold moisture behind the side covers, and potentially cause corrosion of your electrical components and contacts.
Are you intending to do that temporarily while you wash the bike? If so, that's not a problem at all. I don't think it's necessary since everything in there is designed to get wet when you ride in the rain.
However, if you intend to put that in there and leave it, that would be a very bad idea. It would get wet, trap and hold moisture behind the side covers, and potentially cause corrosion of your electrical components and contacts.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,920
Likes: 77
From: dallas
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,211
From: San Diego, CA
Ahhh, I would have to say NO! When I used to drive a dump bucket I watched some dummy spray it on a polished aluminum bed of a new truck to clean it and lets just say it didn't shine too much after that, but it was clean ... good thing he only did the gate instead of the whole bed. The boss let him keep his job after he spent most of his day polishing it back up, lol.
Simple Green, in it's basic formulation is hard on aluminum and other metals, as noted by the story above.
They make a different formulation called, "Extreme Simple Green" or it's sometimes referred to as "Extreme Simple Green Aircraft Precision Cleaner." It is formulated to clean with no corrosives. It's safe to use on metals, namely aluminum. It's not cheap.... it goes for about $20/gallon.
I bought a 5 gal container (just under $100), just for cleaning road grime off my 2 Harleys. I also used it to clean the motor/suspension of my Z06 Corvette. It cleans really well, and I don't notice any dulling/harm to metal parts.
I bought the container 4 years ago and it's still almost half full. I do use it sparingly... I have some of the regular simple green for general cleaning around the house.....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,999
Likes: 11,439
Simple, when it is dry use a 2 or 3 inch stiff but soft paint brush in no time it will look like new again. Just did mine last night . 3 days of riding in down pours non stop had it pretty nasty in there.
Good idea to get the trash out of there prevents other issues.
Good idea to get the trash out of there prevents other issues.
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