New cleaning tips?
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
I live a mile away from a do-it-yourself carwash. After riding, I take it to the carwash, blast all the bugs off, and the pressure spray cleans up all the little nooks and crannys all over your bike lile the rear suspension and engine fins. Then I wipe her down with a thick fluffy towel. If I'm real ambitious I'll use some HD spray wax and a soft rag.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
I just bought the HD micro fibers towels. So far they are leaving little bits of fabric on the paint but blow off easily. I assume this will go away as they get used more.
the leaf blower trick works great but read in the new issue of HOG that it's not a great idea cause its blowing dirty air. For the next wash I'm going to experiment with putting a T shirt over the inlet to make a filter, see how dirty it can get over time. I can see the potential for scratching paint if something gets in the airstream.
the leaf blower trick works great but read in the new issue of HOG that it's not a great idea cause its blowing dirty air. For the next wash I'm going to experiment with putting a T shirt over the inlet to make a filter, see how dirty it can get over time. I can see the potential for scratching paint if something gets in the airstream.
"Dirty Air"? maybe if one lives next to where there are a lot of particulates in the air-- like next to a coal mine....
I use a leaf blower and as long as you don't dig the end into the ground how could there be air dirty enough to damage the bike?
I do wet the driveway around the bike as an added measure but that's it. Works for me...
However, each to their own! If I'm wrong I'll see it in the future...
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Man o man did I stumble onto something. I went for a quick ride Sunday, (200mi), but my scoot was filthy. I got a bucket of steaming hot water, as hot as I could stand it. The wife bought me some micro-fiber cloths in bulk at Costco, so I took a brand new clean one and dunked it in the water and wrang it out as much as possible. laid it up on the fairing and the bugs just melted off. After rinsing multiple times, I was able to wipe down the entire bike, and follow up with a dry micro-fiber to get the residue and low and behold that bay was spotless. Anybody else try this?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
In this case they are selling 'clean air' blowers-- but what about the supposed 'dirty air' in front of the HD blower getting blown onto the surfaces by the clean air?
Let us know how your rigged up filter works. It will be interesting to hear the results after some use.
Later! V2evo96
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 236
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
I do not have a leaf blower since I live on a boat. I do have and use a small dedicated vacuum cleaner (connected reverse). Do the leaf blowers they are talking about refer to the ones with the 2-stroke engines? Where does the exhaust go from those? Is it in the air stream of the blower? I do not remember what I have seen and used in the past. If it goes in the air stream of the blower it would not be good to use one of those since about 25% of the fuel / oil mix does not burn in those engines....
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: MID MICHIGAN
+1 on the Wizards and micro cloth. I have a mini california duster that I use for dust and then Wizards and micro for the bugs. I have only put water on the scoot 1 time and that was because I got stuck in the rain on a charity ride. Washed her and gave her a good waxing. Dust her everyday and get the bugs after each ride to keep your scoot looking showroom new! (I have also tried pig spit but didnt care for that! just fyi)
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
I do not have a leaf blower since I live on a boat. I do have and use a small dedicated vacuum cleaner (connected reverse). Do the leaf blowers they are talking about refer to the ones with the 2-stroke engines? Where does the exhaust go from those? Is it in the air stream of the blower? I do not remember what I have seen and used in the past. If it goes in the air stream of the blower it would not be good to use one of those since about 25% of the fuel / oil mix does not burn in those engines....
Hey
, good thought and comment! And a good idea about using the vacuum cleaner in reverse. I presume you remove the dirt bag before blowing.My leaf blower has the intake on the side of the motor housing. The muffler is on the front but is slightly diverted about 45 degrees due to the baffle plate.
The discharge of the exhaust is small and due to the length of the blower discharge tube wouldn't reach the bike. It I thought it did I would divert it further with my gloved hand.
I'm sure there is no exhaust being sucked into the intake though.
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