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Washing question

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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 12:33 PM
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Question 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
 
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 12:35 PM
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I don't wet my inner fairing. Just wipe it off with a wet cloth. Hosing it down couldn't do any good.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 12:40 PM
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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.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 12:54 PM
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Well Fairing Guys what do you do in the pouring down rain?????
 
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 12:55 PM
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I used cycle brite on all but seat, then spray off. Dry with leaf blower then apply Harley gloss. Twice a year put wax and chrome polish.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 01:11 PM
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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.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 01:19 PM
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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.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 01:23 PM
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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'.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 01:58 PM
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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.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 02:01 PM
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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...
 

Last edited by Woodchuck; Jan 28, 2010 at 02:09 PM.
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