1st Harley 1st Wash
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 715
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From: So. Cal.
1st Harley 1st Wash
I am washing my Harley for the first time in the morning. I have tomorrow off and I plan to give it a good wash and then a once over with "ProtectAll".
Any pointers from the Harley Vets out there? I did read that you should wash the tires first then the rest of the bike. One of my concerns in the fairing and engine, and electric components, radio, speakers. I know I should not drench these areas but do I even get the inner fairing wet?
Need to know............
[IMG]local://upfiles/54502/6E0F9E1619114323BE20737571863D95.jpg[/IMG]
Any pointers from the Harley Vets out there? I did read that you should wash the tires first then the rest of the bike. One of my concerns in the fairing and engine, and electric components, radio, speakers. I know I should not drench these areas but do I even get the inner fairing wet?
Need to know............
[IMG]local://upfiles/54502/6E0F9E1619114323BE20737571863D95.jpg[/IMG]
Banned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,492
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RE: 1st Harley 1st Wash
I recently purchased a used Ultra. With regards to cleaning her Ilow to no pressure rinsed the area to be washed first with cold water. I stayed away from inside the fairing area with the rinse and washing.Instead I pre moistened and spritzed a clean cloth with "armor all" first and that did the job fine on the plastic areas, not I repeat not on the glass areas.
With regards to the rest of the bike, once lightly and gently rinsed with with cold water I had a bucket of warm water and dish detergent and a sponge waiting. Hint...add the couple sqirts of dish detergent after the bucket has the warm water in it. Keeps the suds factor down. immediately after washing with warm water,dish detergent and sponge I gently rinsed the soap off with cold water and immediately wiped off residual water with a clean towel.
On my other bike I use S100 on the motor,trans and other greasy areas. Wait until bike cools down before using S100. Read and follow instructions.
Oh and by the way, nice looking rig ya got there.
With regards to the rest of the bike, once lightly and gently rinsed with with cold water I had a bucket of warm water and dish detergent and a sponge waiting. Hint...add the couple sqirts of dish detergent after the bucket has the warm water in it. Keeps the suds factor down. immediately after washing with warm water,dish detergent and sponge I gently rinsed the soap off with cold water and immediately wiped off residual water with a clean towel.
On my other bike I use S100 on the motor,trans and other greasy areas. Wait until bike cools down before using S100. Read and follow instructions.
Oh and by the way, nice looking rig ya got there.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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RE: 1st Harley 1st Wash
Just have fun. I spray the wheels first with the self cleaning chrome stuff. Suds the rest. Have fun witha leaf blower. Then use the 0000 rated steel scrubby to polish the chrome. In about an hour you will have a nice clean ride
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,410
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From: Knoxville, TN
RE: 1st Harley 1st Wash
Wash the wheels first?
First I've heard of that.
I wouldn't want to take a chance of tiny asphalt particles getting on my wash mitt, then going over my paint with it.
But that's just me...
First I've heard of that.
I wouldn't want to take a chance of tiny asphalt particles getting on my wash mitt, then going over my paint with it.
But that's just me...
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 390
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From: Grand Rapids MI
RE: 1st Harley 1st Wash
I also wouldn't be using dish soap on the paint, it's pretty harsh stuff. Get some good car wash soap. Or do what I do and get some S100 cycle cleaner, spray it on and hose it off and be done. Fastets bike wash around and won't destroy the painted parts.
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: New England
RE: 1st Harley 1st Wash
ORIGINAL: 08HD
Any pointers from the Harley Vets out there? I did read that you should wash the tires first then the rest of the bike....
Any pointers from the Harley Vets out there? I did read that you should wash the tires first then the rest of the bike....
Start with a clean bucket, clean wash cloth/mitt/sponge, fresh soap, low water-pressure hose...
then, in a shaded area, rinse cool-to-touch bike from top down; start washing from windscreen down rinsing after each area then wash towards back of bike. Do wheels last (and up on a lift it possible).
Note: if your water is known to spot, give the bike one last rinse with distilled water before drying.
Dry from top down with clean chamios (or very soft cotton cloth) and blow dryer.
Cruiser
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
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RE: 1st Harley 1st Wash
I have found S100 to be so strong that it takes wax off the bike. Now I only use it on the engine!
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Rohnert Park, California
RE: 1st Harley 1st Wash
Nice ride 08HD...ditto what Pine Tree said except
I do wash the wheels first - using first Wheel Cleaner (HD or S100 etc)
- then rinse wheels\brakes
- then soap and water using cheap Costco Microfiber towels for scrub rags
- then rinse and do rest of bike with another Costco Microfiber towel.
-Costco Microfiber towels can be later washed and reused.
thats my 2 pennies....
[IMG]local://upfiles/54544/03675BD2B5FE4375976A3FF7046CCC5F.jpg[/IMG]
I do wash the wheels first - using first Wheel Cleaner (HD or S100 etc)
- then rinse wheels\brakes
- then soap and water using cheap Costco Microfiber towels for scrub rags
- then rinse and do rest of bike with another Costco Microfiber towel.
-Costco Microfiber towels can be later washed and reused.
thats my 2 pennies....
[IMG]local://upfiles/54544/03675BD2B5FE4375976A3FF7046CCC5F.jpg[/IMG]