When you wash your Harley...
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 116
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RE: When you wash your Harley...
I have found out the local car wash will spit out water which will get pass wheel bearing seals,peels back silicon used to sealelectronics and push water under anything which normally is dry. This is the sure fire way to let the smoke out of an electronic tachometer manufactured for and sold by Harley (happened in 80's).
Same thing at home where I am on a well and I have 70psi of head pressure at the pump house. By the time it gets to the garden hose bibb the water pressure isstill large enough to get behind the CD player, gauges, and air filter elements.
The best bet is to never use the high pressure wand at the car wash or straight stream at home.
I have yet to smoke a bearing, need to get a gauge replaced or suddenly find some electronic do-dad gives up the ghost when I keep things low pressure.
Guaranteed.
Same thing at home where I am on a well and I have 70psi of head pressure at the pump house. By the time it gets to the garden hose bibb the water pressure isstill large enough to get behind the CD player, gauges, and air filter elements.
The best bet is to never use the high pressure wand at the car wash or straight stream at home.
I have yet to smoke a bearing, need to get a gauge replaced or suddenly find some electronic do-dad gives up the ghost when I keep things low pressure.
Guaranteed.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
RE: When you wash your Harley...
ORIGINAL: bpalmersheim
I cover my exhaust tips, air cleaner, engine oil temp gauge, all four billet turn signals (as they leak water anyways) and remove the seat (leather), saddle bagsand cover the under seat connections/battery witha sheet of plastic. I use all those plastic grocery bags that the wife collects under the kitchen sink!
I cover my exhaust tips, air cleaner, engine oil temp gauge, all four billet turn signals (as they leak water anyways) and remove the seat (leather), saddle bagsand cover the under seat connections/battery witha sheet of plastic. I use all those plastic grocery bags that the wife collects under the kitchen sink!
Have ridden for three straight days in steady rain, and nothing went bad, so washing should never be a problem unless there are issues with electrical connections , etc. Think about it, what about your car, driving 70mph down the road, water being forced and splashed in under the hood. Do you worry about it?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 7
From: Chester County, PA
RE: When you wash your Harley...
ORIGINAL: Rodent
Would you cover everything if you were rideing and it started to rain a heavy downpour? Don't worry about it. It can handle water.
Would you cover everything if you were rideing and it started to rain a heavy downpour? Don't worry about it. It can handle water.
They actually *ARE* built to ride and *gasp* get dirty, too.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 7
From: Chester County, PA
RE: When you wash your Harley...
ORIGINAL: Dalton
If I had to do all that just to wash the bike, it would never get washed [8D]
Have ridden for three straight days in steady rain, and nothing went bad, so washing should never be a problem unless there are issues with electrical connections , etc. Think about it, what about your car, driving 70mph down the road, water being forced and splashed in under the hood. Do you worry about it?
ORIGINAL: bpalmersheim
I cover my exhaust tips, air cleaner, engine oil temp gauge, all four billet turn signals (as they leak water anyways) and remove the seat (leather), saddle bags and cover the under seat connections/battery with a sheet of plastic. I use all those plastic grocery bags that the wife collects under the kitchen sink!
I cover my exhaust tips, air cleaner, engine oil temp gauge, all four billet turn signals (as they leak water anyways) and remove the seat (leather), saddle bags and cover the under seat connections/battery with a sheet of plastic. I use all those plastic grocery bags that the wife collects under the kitchen sink!
Have ridden for three straight days in steady rain, and nothing went bad, so washing should never be a problem unless there are issues with electrical connections , etc. Think about it, what about your car, driving 70mph down the road, water being forced and splashed in under the hood. Do you worry about it?
Exactly!!
They're built for it, folks. Oh... and it's ok to run them over 3000 RPM, too!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 61
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RE: When you wash your Harley...
Just like most, S100 on the engine, weels, and Mr. Clean Auto Wash on everything, mild pressure on the water, only once about every 2 months, in between, I use Maguires Quick Detailer (spray) and a couple of microfiber cloths. In fact, I travel with a bottle and some cloths in my bags. Last week on the way to work, passed behind a truck, and got the front end and windshield covered with a spray of oil. Got to work, quick clean up was all it needed with the Maguires. I don't sray directly on the dash though, just wipe it down with a damp cloth. Then the leaf blower, and a quick ride to warm it up, and dry off the nooks and crannies.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 786
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RE: When you wash your Harley...
I also like the Mr.Clean car wash kit. I use it and a sponge to get the tough dirt/bugs off the bike. I like using the leaf blower for getting the water off everything, especially the engine area. I go back over my bike with microfiber towels.
Since we has such bad weather since the ROT rally for the most part of June and July my bike is much dirtier than it should be. My 5K service is overdue now, its time the dealer cleaned it.
Since it is Vivid Black I try to wax it as much as I can. I use Macguires cleaner wax and follow it with their NXT when I have time.
I also have two small kiddos so cleaning time is hard to come by.
Jeff
Since we has such bad weather since the ROT rally for the most part of June and July my bike is much dirtier than it should be. My 5K service is overdue now, its time the dealer cleaned it.
Since it is Vivid Black I try to wax it as much as I can. I use Macguires cleaner wax and follow it with their NXT when I have time.
I also have two small kiddos so cleaning time is hard to come by.
Jeff
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels, TX
RE: When you wash your Harley...
are you guys saying that i'm supposed to wash my bike?!? 
LOL
i like riding WAY more than i like washing, but i know people that spend about 3 hours washing for every 30 minutes riding ---- they won't hardly get on their bikes if they can't see their spotless reflection in every piece of chrome. that's cool, i guess -- it just isn't my thing. i wash my bike when it gets dirty and not just for the sake of washing it, but that is just me.
i do like the Maguire's products when i do wash it though.
LOL
i like riding WAY more than i like washing, but i know people that spend about 3 hours washing for every 30 minutes riding ---- they won't hardly get on their bikes if they can't see their spotless reflection in every piece of chrome. that's cool, i guess -- it just isn't my thing. i wash my bike when it gets dirty and not just for the sake of washing it, but that is just me.
i do like the Maguire's products when i do wash it though.