Washing the Hawk question

[cfiiman]

Hey all,

Forgive me if this is the GAYEST question ever asked, lol, but I was wondering if you all just go at it like washing a car, fully soak everything (engine/seat/chain/etc.) with soap and water and then rinse, or should you be protective of certain areas? I just ask b/c I think about hitting the bike with a hose and then having the water run under the seat, or engine into something it shouldn't...I was going to just go at the bike a piece at a time with a good all purpose cleaner (simple green/tuffstuff) and just do a dry type wash, but the bike is so freaking gunked up and dirty I would like to just soak it down, lather it up, and then rinse it, preferably with a powerwasher...Anyway please let me know, thanks,

Jason

[motorcycleman]

I just hose mine down. Ever ridden in a torential downpour? Everything gets soaked, but the bike keeps going

It is not a bad idea to take off the seat and cleanup under there once in a while (the tank too, for that matter). If you remove the tank and have unipods cover them in a plastic bag. Otherwise just keep the spray from going into the air intake.

[cfiiman]

Thanks for the post, I also did a search on here and found a thread where there was a link to this article and canyon chasers, best damn washing article out there, with pics...Damn I'm gonna get some pledge, I didn't know how great that stuff was, learn something new every day:

http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/detailing.php

[NT696]

Also:
put a shopping bag ofer the gauges, to hepl keep out the spray. The tach / temp gauge has a notorious habit of fogging up.

[squirrelman]

be very careful with cleaners like simple green as they can streak, spot and stain your plastic and alloy parts if not washed off immediately. unfortunately, i know from experience!

after a wash it's always good form to dry and re-lube your chain.

[ghandi1616]

When I wash my ride, Spray Nine works wonders. It leaves all your black hoses a deep black, not glossy though. A simple hose down with the garden hose, Spray Nine, a scrub on the stubborn stains and a wash with the garden hose again seems to work great.

[flying dutchman]

And may I add: moving parts / levers: WD40

[Swipe]

I tend to do a dry clean rather than soapy suds one all over. I give the tank and cowl a rub with a soapy rag and then T-cut but all the engine area and wheels I tend to use WD40. I find WD40 great for cleaning the wheels and swing arm. Just remember to make a concious effort to steer well clear of the discs and any rubber parts.

[Swipe]

I just came across this set of interesting 5 part vids on Youtube on washing a bike. They are by Nick Hine (I think he is a member on here), the same guy who did the Bros 400 review.

http://www.youtube.com/user/DrivenandRidden

[DefTrap]

I quite like the effing dirty look for the Bros, it works quite well.

[dagus]

Thanks to Cfiiman for a great post - I was about to ask this question myself!

And thanks to Canyonchasers for being an incredible resource!!!