Cleaning under side covers
I never "wash" my bike.
The only time water gets on it is when it rains.
But every time I clean and polish my ride, the side covers come off and I clean everything.
**** much? Maybe.
But my CDO makes me do it.
(I can't bring myself to call it OCD, it has to be alphabetical.)
The only time water gets on it is when it rains.
But every time I clean and polish my ride, the side covers come off and I clean everything.
**** much? Maybe.
But my CDO makes me do it.
(I can't bring myself to call it OCD, it has to be alphabetical.)
And then when you've got to get to the fuses you've got 2 inches if **** to dig through, and by not paying attention regularly, your fuses corrode. Seen it happen.
I used to service a lot of guys bikes, friends and friends of friends that didn't want to pay stealer pricing.
More than once someone had an issue with something not working right, signals, horn etc., and I found it to be corroded fuses from lack of care.
My experience. YMMV.
I used to service a lot of guys bikes, friends and friends of friends that didn't want to pay stealer pricing.
More than once someone had an issue with something not working right, signals, horn etc., and I found it to be corroded fuses from lack of care.
My experience. YMMV.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: NY
I'm really surprised that the area under the covers goes overlooked so often. I wash that area every time I wash the bike, but then again my friends tell me I'm OCD/****.
Typically, I wash the side covers while on the bike, and then after they're dry, I remove them and wipe out the back side with a damp microfiber towel. From there, I use the same towel to wipe down the area under the covers. I have never sprayed water directly on there. Some items are water resistant like the siren or HFSM/TSM and the fuse block, but spraying water right on them can't be favorable.
I think as long as you don't dowse the area with water, you'll be fine. I sometimes use detailing spray as well.
Typically, I wash the side covers while on the bike, and then after they're dry, I remove them and wipe out the back side with a damp microfiber towel. From there, I use the same towel to wipe down the area under the covers. I have never sprayed water directly on there. Some items are water resistant like the siren or HFSM/TSM and the fuse block, but spraying water right on them can't be favorable.
I think as long as you don't dowse the area with water, you'll be fine. I sometimes use detailing spray as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 538
Likes: 15
From: Eastern MA
And then when you've got to get to the fuses you've got 2 inches if **** to dig through, and by not paying attention regularly, your fuses corrode. Seen it happen.
I used to service a lot of guys bikes, friends and friends of friends that didn't want to pay stealer pricing.
More than once someone had an issue with something not working right, signals, horn etc., and I found it to be corroded fuses from lack of care.
My experience. YMMV.
I used to service a lot of guys bikes, friends and friends of friends that didn't want to pay stealer pricing.
More than once someone had an issue with something not working right, signals, horn etc., and I found it to be corroded fuses from lack of care.
My experience. YMMV.
Bro Bob
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 814
From: Nevada
About twice a year, I remove my side covers and clean the area with a damp towel followed by a mist detailer. (I don't use a water hose.) I also use the opportunity to check electrical connections.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I'm really surprised that the area under the covers goes overlooked so often. I wash that area every time I wash the bike, but then again my friends tell me I'm OCD/****.
Typically, I wash the side covers while on the bike, and then after they're dry, I remove them and wipe out the back side with a damp microfiber towel. From there, I use the same towel to wipe down the area under the covers. I have never sprayed water directly on there. Some items are water resistant like the siren or HFSM/TSM and the fuse block, but spraying water right on them can't be favorable.
I think as long as you don't dowse the area with water, you'll be fine. I sometimes use detailing spray as well.
Typically, I wash the side covers while on the bike, and then after they're dry, I remove them and wipe out the back side with a damp microfiber towel. From there, I use the same towel to wipe down the area under the covers. I have never sprayed water directly on there. Some items are water resistant like the siren or HFSM/TSM and the fuse block, but spraying water right on them can't be favorable.
I think as long as you don't dowse the area with water, you'll be fine. I sometimes use detailing spray as well.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 14
From: Seattle
Never really gave it much thought until I read this thread, so I took them off yesterday and did some cleaning. Nice! I need to go back today and hit all of the electrical connections with dielectric grease.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 541
Likes: 3
From: Sherwood Park AB Canada
I'm really surprised that the area under the covers goes overlooked so often. I wash that area every time I wash the bike, but then again my friends tell me I'm OCD/****.
Typically, I wash the side covers while on the bike, and then after they're dry, I remove them and wipe out the back side with a damp microfiber towel. From there, I use the same towel to wipe down the area under the covers. I have never sprayed water directly on there. Some items are water resistant like the siren or HFSM/TSM and the fuse block, but spraying water right on them can't be favorable.
I think as long as you don't dowse the area with water, you'll be fine. I sometimes use detailing spray as well.
Typically, I wash the side covers while on the bike, and then after they're dry, I remove them and wipe out the back side with a damp microfiber towel. From there, I use the same towel to wipe down the area under the covers. I have never sprayed water directly on there. Some items are water resistant like the siren or HFSM/TSM and the fuse block, but spraying water right on them can't be favorable.
I think as long as you don't dowse the area with water, you'll be fine. I sometimes use detailing spray as well.
This is exactly how I maintain under my side covers, as well as under the seat. These areas get really dirty really quickly, even in the absence of riding on wet roads.