Guest MightyHare Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 Hello All, I recently purchased my second sixth-gen and this thing is a filthy mess, literally. It has definitely been neglected in the cleaning department; the previous owner was "a rider not a shiner." In other words, he was a tool and did not know the importance of proper maintenance. The chain is caked with old grease and the areas surrounding it are as well. I've already ordered a new chain and sprockets but I'm curious to know how you guys clean the porous aluminum bits. I've cleaned up the swingarm but the grease remains in the pores. Naturally, oven cleaner comes to mind, but I don't want to use anything too harsh. So I pose you with the question, what do you guys use to clean up your bikes, especially the porous aluminum? Hare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dgordon Posted April 3, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 3, 2013 Hare, I've used a fine brass bristle brush, lots of warm water and some elbow grease to clean up marks on both my old 5th gen (frame) and 6th (top triple clamp). It would help to see how bad the spots are that you're trying to clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superfunkomatic Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 I use brake cleaner on the swing arm. I'm careful to not get it on painted surfaces but it makes quick work of the sludge and gunk there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Hail Posted April 3, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 3, 2013 You can use Kerosene to clean all those bits. Stuff will dissolve away like butter with very little elbow grease. It won't hurt the plastic bits either. Sometimes there are finishes on those ,what appear to be plain, metal parts that brake cleaner can actually destroy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer ki-speed Posted April 3, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 3, 2013 WD40 works really well at removing oil, tar and grease. Another plus is you can spray it into some tight areas. Good luck. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer gll429 Posted April 3, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 3, 2013 for plasics and general bike wash.. SHAMPOO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Havagan Posted April 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 4, 2013 WD40 or Goo Gone and a tooth brush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDO-VFR Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 I second the kerosene option. I've used it and compared to WD-40 it is more effective for chain spooge. You can buy chain cleaner (Tirox) in spray can, which is essentially kerosene. Don't know where I would buy bulk kerosene around here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudo Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 I second the kerosene option. I've used it and compared to WD-40 it is more effective for chain spooge. You can buy chain cleaner (Tirox) in spray can, which is essentially kerosene. Don't know where I would buy bulk kerosene around here. I've seen kerosene for sale at car parts stores (O'Reilly) and hardware stores. Usually stored near the paints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grayv3 Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Purple power & a stiff bristle scrub brush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suitcase Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 WD40 or diesel fuel...diesel at most fuel centers. Either one works well...allowing a little soak time and generous elbow grease on old toothbrush. Follow up with clean rags to wipe off the oil film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeyekulBayrd Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Kerosene and a nylon brush. Brass will totally F the O or X ring in your chain. Then spray it off with the hose and douse with wd40, ride around the block and hit it with chain wax. Let that set for 10 or so and wipe clean. My CBR chain was still good at 23k miles and that's with a few track days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graves Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Soak Well with WD40 take ride to DIY car wash. set to hot w/ soap. Clean away. Rinse, Dry, Lube Chain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Rice Posted April 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 4, 2013 Spray with a hose, wipe with a towel. I do this almost every year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Looks like kerosene is the way to go. That's what my old man uses in his parts cleaning bin; I just wanted to make sure it wasn't too harsh for the swingarm. I'm gonna put some in a spray bottle and give it a go. I'll post some before and after pictures when I get it all cleaned up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wera803 Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 You can also get Kerosene at some gas stations....at least around me you can. It is normally in a pump by itself over in the corner and labelled K-1 Kerosene or something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graves Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 You can also get Kerosene at some gas stations....at least around me you can. It is normally in a pump by itself over in the corner and labelled K-1 Kerosene or something like that. I don't think Ive ever seen a gas station around here that has that. not even the old ones that are still in buisness. I think I'll pay a little more attention at the places I fill up at to see what they got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2thdr Posted April 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 4, 2013 Kerosene has been on my to buy list for a while. Big box hardware stores were supposed to have it by the gallon for the heaters they sell at $10 / gal if you can believe that. There is supposed to be a little hardware store nearby that sells it, but with my work hours and theirs it's been a no go. Still hoping to find some to clean chain and stuff with... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveM Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 In addition to the kero, pick up some Gunk concentrate at the auto parts store. Mix it in the Kero according to the directions and it will basically act as a soap allowing you to wash away the crud with water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer wagzhp Posted April 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 4, 2013 ^ This sounds like an interesting idea. MightyHare, I love your avatar. (Rest in peace Chesty, where ever you are.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer firebladestan Posted April 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 4, 2013 this is very popular in the uk http://muc-off.com/en/14-motorcycle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 In addition to the kero, pick up some Gunk concentrate at the auto parts store. Mix it in the Kero according to the directions and it will basically act as a soap allowing you to wash away the crud with water. I'm intrigued. Kerosene with gunk as a catalyst sounds like it'll whammy some grime. ^ This sounds like an interesting idea. MightyHare, I love your avatar. (Rest in peace Chesty, where ever you are.) He is the epitome of manliness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted April 5, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 5, 2013 If you can't find kerosene, diesel is a cousin, and JP5, JP8 or Jet A used in turbine engines are very close cousins to kero and for cleaning purposes will do the same. When I want to clean some heavy grease, I tap off a pint or so from my diesel pickup's fuel system drain. Occasionally I'll get a gallon or so in a can like I do gas for my mower. Any airport that services or fuels helicopters or turbine aircraft should be able to sell you a bit of JP or Jet A as well if dispensed to an approved container. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer The mailman Posted April 5, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 5, 2013 A can of Goof-Off from any hardware store and an old tooth brush will have it off in no time. Then just wipe off the residue with an old wrag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted April 5, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 5, 2013 If you can't find kerosene, diesel is a cousin, and JP5, JP8 or Jet A used in turbine engines are very close cousins to kero and for cleaning purposes will do the same. When I want to clean some heavy grease, I tap off a pint or so from my diesel pickup's fuel system drain. Occasionally I'll get a gallon or so in a can like I do gas for my mower. Any airport that services or fuels helicopters or turbine aircraft should be able to sell you a bit of JP or Jet A as well if dispensed to an approved container. You can also use Tiki torch fuel and it kills mosquitos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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