Washing question
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 540
Likes: 3
From: Nooga, TN
Washing question
New to the Ultra Classic world of fairings with radios, gages and stuff. I tried the search with little success.
Any special precautions when washing the bike, especially in the inner faring area. I never use a pressure washer on any bike, just hose pressure.
Thanks in advance
Spur
Any special precautions when washing the bike, especially in the inner faring area. I never use a pressure washer on any bike, just hose pressure.
Thanks in advance
Spur
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Seale, Alabama
Good question, I too had never owned a faring bike until Big Blue came along. Checking the owner's manual and it gives no precautions about it. Tons of others but none about washing. Never heard anybody say any thing about it. It's all sealed up and so exposure to rain doesn't hurt it. i figure not, but let's wait and see what the group says.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 460
Likes: 18
From: Rhode Island/Pensacola Florida
Although I have ridden in very heavy rain and never had a problem with the radio, I still cover my radio and inner fairing with a dry towel when I wash the bike. I never use a pressure washer, just let the water flow from the hose. I clean the inside of the windshield with soap and water and rinse, but keep the towel over the radio. I clean the inner fairing with a damp rag and wipe dry.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,523
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
I never let the hose-spray hit my inner fairing. I'll wash the rest of the bike first, then when I'm done come back with a spray bottle and rag and just wipe it down. I ruined my speedo on my Fat Boy washing it with a hose. I had condensation in there forever after letting the hose-spray hit it.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 6
From: Las Vegas, NV
I remove the seat, saddlebags, iPod, leather water bottle/storage holders & air cleaner cover then cover the air filter with a large Ziplock baggie and rubberband.
I spray Simple Green on the motor/trans/wheels then pressure wash the crap of of it.......then the inner fairing I just change the pressure washer tip to a "fan" spray, give it a quick sweep with the water and all is well.
Gets the dirt and dust from the crevices.....it also helps that I have a 60 gallon air compressor in the garage to blow everything dry.
Done this many times, never had a problem, and she looks showroom ready.
They are made to ride in the rain, just sayin'.
I spray Simple Green on the motor/trans/wheels then pressure wash the crap of of it.......then the inner fairing I just change the pressure washer tip to a "fan" spray, give it a quick sweep with the water and all is well.
Gets the dirt and dust from the crevices.....it also helps that I have a 60 gallon air compressor in the garage to blow everything dry.
Done this many times, never had a problem, and she looks showroom ready.
They are made to ride in the rain, just sayin'.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 606
From: Raleigh NC
I figure, i ride the bike in the rain.... everything OUGHT to be rain resistant. Spray from a hose ought not to bother anything.
I don't aim the hose right at the inner fairing, but there's still plenty of water splashing around.
Don't pressure wash... and don't use a fire hose.... average garden hose, with normal househole pressue, oughts be just fine.
I don't aim the hose right at the inner fairing, but there's still plenty of water splashing around.
Don't pressure wash... and don't use a fire hose.... average garden hose, with normal househole pressue, oughts be just fine.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 832
Likes: 6
From: Vermont
I've never used a pressure washer but I have washed my EGCs over the years using water hose pressure without any problems. I keep the stream off the inner fairing area with the radio and gauges but I do soap up and hose off the inner windscreen so the inner fairing does get wet. I used to use old bath towels to dry the bike and now have updated to using microfiber towels.
I lucked out with my '07 since I have not experienced any guauge fogging. My last EGC's gauges would fog sometimes after washing but would clear up the same day. On the other hand, they would rarely fog up on their own due to weather conditions and clear. If my gauges fogged as easily as others I've seen, then I would be a lot more careful about keeping water away from the gauge glasses.
I take more care around the handlebar switches since the '89s had a problem with water causing problems with the starter switch. Probably not a problems now but once bitten, twice shy...
I lucked out with my '07 since I have not experienced any guauge fogging. My last EGC's gauges would fog sometimes after washing but would clear up the same day. On the other hand, they would rarely fog up on their own due to weather conditions and clear. If my gauges fogged as easily as others I've seen, then I would be a lot more careful about keeping water away from the gauge glasses.
I take more care around the handlebar switches since the '89s had a problem with water causing problems with the starter switch. Probably not a problems now but once bitten, twice shy...
Last edited by Woodchuck; Jan 28, 2010 at 02:09 PM.