What should I look out for when washing my bike?

[ladder4949]

Hi, I have a LEGAL access to a water hose so unlike others who have to use a pail, my problem is quite different from theirs.

 

When I wash bike, I just use the hose to spray every part of the bike that a water hose can reach but before I keep going on, I'd like to ask you experts out there, is there any part that I shouldn't actually get it wet? Like the engine or the dashboard or something?

 

So far none of my bike's electronics have been affected but just wondering, for the sake of the long run, should I not be spraying water at any part of my bike? Causes rust or wear and tear?

 

CBF 150 Honda in question, btw.

[savo]

maybe you should take caution of not getting water into your pipe. lol. food for thought, if a bike has some 'cannot-get-wet-part' then what happens during rainy days?

[stanco]

try to avoid direct spraying at the spark plug area. if the rubber cap is loose or what, water might get in. wet plug don't fire up.

[Raptor]

It is always much safer to pour water then to spray it on to a bike.

 

What you don't want is getting high pressure sprayed onto the electrics under the meter or behind the headlamp.

 

Why don't you just run the hose into pails and use a scoop to pour water on the bike instead?

[ladder4949]

I thought that with a hose it'll be more convenient. But yes, it makes sense to use a small pail and pour bit by bit from the top, I'm sure they've designed the bike where rain can access to be more resistant to water. When I use the hose I spray sideways and upwards as well, which I feel might not be a good idea cause there's the battery and all that.. Which was why I needed to confirm with you guys.. Thx

[Constructicon]

Hi, I have a LEGAL access to a water hose so unlike others who have to use a pail, my problem is quite different from theirs.

 

When I wash bike, I just use the hose to spray every part of the bike that a water hose can reach but before I keep going on, I'd like to ask you experts out there, is there any part that I shouldn't actually get it wet? Like the engine or the dashboard or something?

 

So far none of my bike's electronics have been affected but just wondering, for the sake of the long run, should I not be spraying water at any part of my bike? Causes rust or wear and tear?

 

CBF 150 Honda in question, btw.

 

 

If you use a waterhose and just spray, it is just a waste of water I think.

 

I usually take a pail and wash my bike with sponge, degreaser, soap...etc.

Just wet the bike, soap it with bike cleaner/ degreaser (where applicable), wash away and then use a cloth to go through a few times. Save water and it is cleaner since I dun miss out any part of it.

 

I avoid spraying water onto the dash and the wiring. Just spray with soap, then wipe away.

 

Usually takes me about 2 hours + polishing. The rims and chain took most of the time.

Since I wash/polish my bike maybe only once a month or more, its still ok.

[w00t]

Dont worry there, if you bike can still move under the heaviest rain, i doubt that little spraying would harm it.

 

Unless you have weird stuff like open pod filters, crank case breathers, fuel hose breathers etc... etc.. etc... then you should take note to wrap them up before spraying.

 

Have fun spraying

[crazydj]

I washed my bike and after that i get a buzzing sound from my front disc brakes every time i brake. What happened sia?

[burnt ribbon]

If you use a waterhose and just spray, it is just a waste of water I think.

 

I usually take a pail and wash my bike with sponge, degreaser, soap...etc.

Just wet the bike, soap it with bike cleaner/ degreaser (where applicable), wash away and then use a cloth to go through a few times. Save water and it is cleaner since I dun miss out any part of it.

 

I avoid spraying water onto the dash and the wiring. Just spray with soap, then wipe away.

 

Usually takes me about 2 hours + polishing. The rims and chain took most of the time.

Since I wash/polish my bike maybe only once a month or more, its still ok.

 

Bro, I just passed and got a bike. Got some questions about washing the bike. The carpark at my place ain't got no tap for water, so I will have to resort to using a pail.

 

Do you wash at the carpark itself or you bring your bike to one corner (like the the entrance of those trash trucks area) ?

 

One pail u use enuf? Coz I'm wondering where you put the soap-water mix.

 

You mentioned the use of degreaser, what's that for?

 

I'm blur about this. Hope you can help.

[Constructicon]

Bro, I just passed and got a bike. Got some questions about washing the bike. The carpark at my place ain't got no tap for water, so I will have to resort to using a pail.

 

Do you wash at the carpark itself or you bring your bike to one corner (like the the entrance of those trash trucks area) ?

 

One pail u use enuf? Coz I'm wondering where you put the soap-water mix.

 

You mentioned the use of degreaser, what's that for?

 

I'm blur about this. Hope you can help.

 

Hi,

 

I usually use 2 full pails of water to wash my bike.

I bring my bike to the washing bay, not the carpark. The washing bay is at the void deck.

 

Sounds silly, but wear a helmet even when you are riding less than 10 metres to the bay! People who are suay will get caught riding w/o a helmet, so dun take the chance.

 

I use small amount household detergent (those used for cleaning plates/ glass) on my bike. And only dab abit and wash off quick, bcos it might be harsh to your bike's paintwork. Anyway, the main body of your bike will not be that dirty. Just use water to wash it off, no need to mix detergent with the water.

 

I also use a variety of bike wax, gloss after washing to protect the paintwork, but i spare you the details for now.

 

For degreaser, I bought it at Ah Boy. It's in a can form.

Basically, ir removes the stubborn dirt that sticks to your bike, esp in the engine area and below the bike.

I spray it around the engine area and places where crap and dirt sticks together. Leave it for a few minutes, then wash off with water. All the crap will come off.

 

Not an expert in bike wash, just your average joe using average joe methods.

 

Best regards.

[scubasimon]

the idea of using a sponge, mild detergent and degreaser was also mentioned in the Motorcycle Owners' Manual...they also suggested using a soft brush when cleaning your chain and other parts of the bike that might be sensitive to hard bristled brushes. also recommend waxing the painted areas for added protection. all makes good sense but takes lots of effort man.

 

BTW, how long does it take you guys to wash your bike? And how often do you wash?

 

Sorry if the question is off-topic.

[eedwinn]

For me, if I only wash without polishing, it will be around half an hour.

 

If I wash, wax and get rid of some of the stubborn grime on the rims and other small areas, it will take me slightly less than 2 hours.

 

I try my best to do it alternatively every 2 weeks. Have fun!

[Constructicon]

For me, if I only wash without polishing, it will be around half an hour.

 

If I wash, wax and get rid of some of the stubborn grime on the rims and other small areas, it will take me slightly less than 2 hours.

 

I try my best to do it alternatively every 2 weeks. Have fun!

 

Add 30 mins-1 hour if chain included. Bloody hell, back breaking work!!!!

[scubasimon]

oh geez...back breaking is bad man...

[oriental]

How do I wash the chain?Degreaser oso?i always skip tat coz i dun knw hw to do it.

[Manfred003]

Wash , wax , clean chain , lub chain and screws and polish all crome parts = 6h

[sb600cc]

Wash bike like very tedious and exhausting thing to do hor.. Don't you just always feel lazy to get out of the house to wash your bike? Unless its a new bike then you have the passion la, but mostly people stop washing after they are riding for a couple of months.

 

May i suggest to you that i wash your bike! PM me or email to [email protected] for more details yeah (:

[crazydj]

I washed my bike twice and really cannot be bothered anymore. Really tiring. I would rather pay for someone to really wash my bike. Clean my chain and sproket, my mud guard, under my engine. The tank and the fairing is easy. Just one rim takes me 45 mins. I thought my sproket was black. Until i realised that it was shiny silver.

[Maestro-]

I thought my sproket was black. Until i realised that it was shiny silver.

 

hahaha that's funny.

[Constructicon]

The best thing is that out of 5 times that I washed and polished by bike, 4 times it rained that very same day.

And I dont cover my bike. :\

 

Its been quite a while since I last washed it. *There is always next week what!!!*