Cleaning guide

[mkmd555]

2002 R1150R

62 K mi.

This bike was not cleaned or polished in her lifetime, as far as I can think. To me it did not look too shabby, until a friend remarked, “You need to clean 'er up".

I was embarrassed, because, I never thought of this side of maintenance. I always kept the tires, valves, fluids, synch etc. in tip top form.

How do I clean? We have plastic, paint and chrome.

The same friend wholeheartedly recommended aluminum foil and Coca-Cola for my blue and dirty looking exhaust.

At bedtime reading I discovered S100 cleaner in the BMWMOA magazine.

Any special cleaners you have found useful?

Pearls?

Best regards

MK

[Ves]

Obviously you haven't been reading your motorcycle magazines... cause otherwise you would see that one of the new BMW adds shows one of the new 1200 splashing through some rain/water/crap and the slogan says... "Never been cleaned, never will." Obviously they stole the idea from you... just ride it.

Hey, got any pics, I'd like to see what a bike looks like if it's not washed for 62k.

[frbank6]

I spray mine down with Simple Green and let it set just a moment. I use a sheepskin mit to rub off the stubborn dirt, then just rinse it off with a garden hose. I've heard you shouldn't use a pressure washer since it can force water past seals.

[bmwr1150rbmw]

That's pretty funny. 'Never been washed in her lifetime.' Post a pic. I'd love to see it.

I suppose a good first step would be the same if you hadn't showered in a year or so. A light spray from the hose, a clean sponge, and some dish detergent. Go over it about nine times, dry her off with a towel, and see what needs more attention.

My bike always runs better when clean.

[bikermeow]

I'm a new user to Simple Green.

Is that stuff only good for removal of dirt generally? or grease too? Any downside to it (discolouration) etc? Use it concentrate or diluted?

Forgive the basic questions, in my part of the world, Simple Green is a rare product and I've just bought one from my neighbouring country.

Thanks.

[frbank6]

I use it undiluted and have not experienced any discoloration. It seems to do a fair job on grease. I do take pains to not allow it to dry before I wash it off.

I have also used the S100 products and they work really well but are expensive.

[Goff]

Have a look at this series of videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HREqf4wIukA

The full treatment is tending towards OCD a bit but there's some good ideas...

[rdsmith3]

I wash mine like a car -- I use a gentle soap made for car washing (e.g. Meguiars), gentle hose, soft sheepskin mitt. (Do you see a theme -- gentle and soft?)

I wash the whole bike this way, then dry it. Then I go on to the areas that need special care. I do this only once, maybe twice, a year.

I use car wax on the tank and front fender.

For black plastic parts, such as the turn signal mounts, back of mirrors, back of front fender, etc. I use Vinylex.

For wheels, I use Griot's Garage wheel cleaner. It works great
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/whe ... als&page=2

For the windshield, I use Plexus.

I never clean the pipes. They are supposed to be blue.

That is it. It should not take more than an hour if you do it once a year or so.

[philbytx]

Cut Simple Green 50/50 for paintwork etc.....
Best on a warm but cloudy day or in the shade.....Hose bike down first (remove seats!), then spray simple green on all exposed surfaces (wheels included) let sit for 5 mins then spray off. I use Meguiars Car wash and two mitts, one for paintwork and one for "dirty bits" together with a soft NATURAL bristle brush to remove grunge from cracks, wheels etc. I then use my leaf blower to remove all water going from front to rear. When dry, I finish off with a fresh coat of wax on all painted parts (including wheels) and I use Barkeepers Friends on the exhaust system...works great . Final touch is 303 Space Age Protectant on all plastic and rubber parts except seat and tire sidewalls!

Both my 2002 R1150RT and 2000 R1100R look like showroom...except for the paint nicks on the black tupperware on the RT, all mileage and chip and seal road related

[awagnon]

I've heard straight Simple Green will remove paint and etch aluminum. I don't doubt it. I have seen it dull aluminum car wheels. I would certainly cut it 50:50 at least. My mechanic confirms this and advises against using Simple Green in any concentration.

I wash with standard car wash/wax solution. Wash painted surfaces first and then move on to engine and wheels last so you don't get dirt scratching the paint. Rinse with cool water under little or no pressure and dry with terry towel or leaf blower. Then ride and get dirty again. Still, it's amazing what you can find when you wash your bike regularly. Loose or missing fasteners, leaking seals you didn't know about, etc. It's a good opportunity to go over your bike closely.

[Photoguy]

I used to ride a trials bike and after an event it would be caked with dried mud/dirt. Simple green in a spray bottle, sprayed and let set on the dirt for 5-10 min. would make it all come off easilly with a hose. Looked shiny new when i was done.

for the R1150R, I use a spray bottle (w/SG) and a rag to spot clean. If I'm really in the mood, i'll follow it up with some automotive polish to get it all shiny.

One thing i like to do when I have the time is to treat all of the black parts with an automotive "black" polish. Makes 'em nice and deep black instead of the whitish gray they can become over time.

[sjbmw]

S100, with a plastic bristled dish washing brush on the front of the motor, and the jugheads.
Hit em twice if the road grime behind the front wheel won't cooperate.

Mother's Gold everywhere else.

[frbank6]

I've heard straight Simple Green will remove paint and etch aluminum. I don't doubt it. I have seen it dull aluminum car wheels. I would certainly cut it 50:50 at least. My mechanic confirms this and advises against using Simple Green in any concentration.

I have always used it(dozens of times now) straight. No etching, no paint damage.

[sweatmark]

Shampoo - rinse - repeat. Low pressure rinse-off, car wash soap using mitt, one-step wax stuff for areas that get buggy or greasy. Do the wheels with a wheel brush. Don't get obsessive.

Annual wash helps you spot leaks; better yet, wash at beginning of season and at end, if applicable.

Occasionally I like to wash the bike before any major mechanical surgery. Makes for less grime, easier to keep dirt out of the intake system, electrics, etc. Helps you spot scraped knuckle blood and the scourge of antisieze.

Look for dead animals. Found a bird stuck under the Rockster's fuel tank a couple of months after bringing the bike home from purchase in Hollywood; missed it completely during the first bike wash. Also killed a bird riding Mrs. Sweatmark's first R1100R Roadster home from purchase in Arizona; bird was sliced & diced by the front spoke wheel - as if those spokes weren't already tough to clean.

[mcollect]

I have a 400 hundred yard gravel diveway that most of the year is muddy. I tend to ride in the rain to keep the bike respectable, although I do clean the Scout windshield before each ride. Each spring I do a complete cleaning before changind the fluids, makes the bike look good until I leave the house!! No one notices the dirt!

[John H]

I just bought my first BMW a few days ago (2004 r1150r) and am getting ready for the master detail. As far as paint and windscreen/chrome/glass/plastic protection goes, look into Zaino http://www.zainostore.com (I researched the heck out of paint protection and have tried tons of stuff). It's a polymer sealant with UV protection and can be used anywhere. Fanastic stuff, leaves a very wet look, and beads at least 6 months even if stored outside. Waxes are fine for show, but the protection only lasts a few weeks . I use this stuff on my 2002 325ci that is kept outside near the ocean and she still looks fantastic.

A trick for my engine compartment was to spray armor-all on it as a de-greaser and let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse it off. Any opinions on that for a bike? I'd follow up with a mild soap wash then the zaino routine.

[gregor]

I've been using Autoglym bike cleaner spray for a few years now.Disappointed to see that the black driveshaft housing, engine/sump are all becoming a bit grey now as if the paint is getting thin. Using something like 'back to black' vinyl cleaner tempoarily darkens things. The glossy bits, silver bits and the wheels still look fine. I do not let the cleaner dry on and do the bike section by section, hosing down gently as I work along it. Anyone else found this deterioration?

[frbank6]

gregor,

There is an S100 product that returns the black parts to glossy black for some time. I am not home now so I can't provide the exact name. It comes in an aerosol can and lasts quite a while( I bought my first and only can in 2003!)

[jm1515]

After most rides I just spritz the entire bike (after it cools and I've done the oil-check dance ) w/ Glass Plus, let it sit for a mo, then just wipe off w/ clean towel. No ammonia, so it's safe on everything. Tar and bug guts come off nicely, but for tougher goo I use Lifter 1 citrus based Bug&Tar remover you can find at AutoZone etc. Takes 10minutes....

[Daryl_stamp]

I appreciate a clean bike.

I like riding more than cleaning though, so every few weeks during the riding season and usually just before a weekend or longer ride I spray it down w/ S100, let sit for a few minutes & hose off. Tough spots get fingered and once I even used a cloth to help get some stuff off.

BMWs, au-naturale, are on a road somewhere, often as not solo, in bad weather as much as good.
Highly detailed bikes are usually not moving, or if so not for very long.
To me, an overly clean boxer or one with low use is almost sacrelege; even though I admire how nice they look.

Just my 2 cents.

DLS