Best Engine Cleaning Method

Well, as the major mod's for this spring come to an end (just Radar's sliders left to do) and seeing how many other's bikes look so good under the plastics,
I wanted to take this opportunity to do a really thorough front to back cleaning.

My buddy (20yr mechanic/racer) suggested, "hey, ever thought of WD40?". Now, I have received many an email regarding this wonder product and all the
miraculous uses people have discovered. His method is to simply spray liberally, give a good wipe with a shop cloth, hose down with gentle water and walla,
I'd be amazed at the results.

So, wanting to do everything, front to back - engine, hoses, swingarm, centerstand, etc. - before reassembly for season opener, anyone have any other
comments, suggestions or caveats on the best under plastics cleaning?

Definately not wd-40, can't stand that stuff, grab a can of engine cleaner from cancuck tire, spray on, let foam, hose off, easy as pie.

That's what my original idea was. Any issues with hoses / electrical lines etc. with the engine degrease?
It's not that greasy on the engine, mostly just dead bug and dust residue mixture.

I'd stay away from electrical, just because, but a product that is designed as an engine cleaner should be safe with all engine components, if your unsure read the can, it will have any warnings on it.

I really like WD40 as a cleaner. After letting it sit a while, and then wiping it off, I like to clean off any residue using a mild spray soap and water rinse.

The thing about WD40 is it really dissolves the grime that builds up. You don't have to scrub very much, if at all. It's more of a spray on and wait sort of cleaner that does the work for you. I like that.

Other cleaners require you to scrub and scrub and scrub, and you have to hurry before they dry up. I'd rather let the WD40 do the penetrating/dissolving work as it sits there, then rinse off any remaining WD40/dissolved junk by using a spray of mild soap (something like simple green or diluted dish washing liquid) and a final spray-down of water.

I just ordered a can of S100 Engine brightener, to try it out. Honda Brite seems to work well on bare metal(like the engine case), but I found that it hazed some of my gloss black parts. I have a can of Gunk Engine cleaner that I got at the Dollar store, but the heavy kerosene smell has me wary of using it near plastic/electrical.

Aaron S. Ward, Apr 20 2008, 07:27 PMI really like WD40 as a cleaner. After letting it sit a while, and then wiping it off, I like to clean off any residue using a mild spray soap and water rinse.

The thing about WD40 is it really dissolves the grime that builds up. You don't have to scrub very much, if at all. It's more of a spray on and wait sort of cleaner that does the work for you. I like that.

Other cleaners require you to scrub and scrub and scrub, and you have to hurry before they dry up. I'd rather let the WD40 do the penetrating/dissolving work as it sits there, then rinse off any remaining WD40/dissolved junk by using a spray of mild soap (something like simple green or diluted dish washing liquid) and a final spray-down of water.

WD40 does do a good job, but keep in mind if you don't get it all rinsed away, it will attract more dirt. Also, at the risk of sounding like a hippie, where is all that WD40 going when you rinse off your bike??

I like using it to clean my chain by spraying on a rag, but use other cleaners for the rest of the bike.

I've used a few different things but my new favorite gunk cleaner is CRC Electrical Cleaner. You can spray it on just about anything without damage plus it's good for the many electrical connectors. I also use Gumout Carb & Choke Cleaner for the really nasty stuff but it's not cheap and is probably environmentally bad. I've used Simple Green quite a bit also with much success.

+1 for the CRC Elec. Cleaner, it's a really fast-evaporating brake cleaner, and works really well on all kinds of gunk. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)

I've used a product called Castrol Super Clean for years with good results. You can get it from Crappy Tire. It contains a soap as well as a degreaser. You just spray it on, wait a few minutes and rinse off well with a hose. Parts come up pretty clean with no oily residue. Only one caution - it says NOT to use it on hot aluminum, so make sure the bike is cooled down before you wash it. http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/style_e...ault/fing02.gif
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/style_e...ault/fing02.gif

at the risk of sounding like a hippie, where is all that WD40 going when you rinse off your bike??

Down the drain, and in the river or ocean, ya hippie Seb! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Simple Green. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)

I too find it that S100 total cycle cleaner and honda bright works well on bare metal. I just use some good car wash concentration, car wash brush, maybe some meguiars wheel cleaner and some good ol' fashion elbow grease! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'll check out the Castrol SC when I'm in town on Tues. Appreciate the feedback. I know WD is a little 'un hippie' but works great as a toothpaste 'Seb'stitute. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
Just getting ready to post up the Motad / Remus mod pics so, you'll see the final results with a full video/sound clip later this week. Looking forward to a
shiny, squeaky clean bike - then it's 5 days till riding season (duck season, rabit season, elmer season? P-38 Space Modulator???)

While doing my rebuild this was one area that I don't think was ever
touched by humans after the dang bike was built, surely not the last
owner!

I used many products and many devices, countless rags, tooth brushes,
those thin mag wheel brushes, if it had bristles and would fit I used it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/comp13.gif)

As for cleaners I used all sorts of solvents, engine cleaners, then the soap
based cleaners. Gunk works well around any of the chain area where you
get that thick build up, so do most any of the carb and break cleaners. Honestly,
I tried anything that wasn't 5 bucks a can because the thing prolly had 5lbs of
crapohla in and around. I really liked this carb cleaner that I got from Boaters
World that had a straw sprayer that once sprayed would foam up. Nothing I
used short of MEK or Acetone took any paint off so I wouldn't let that bother
you, that is paint off the engine. I wouldn't do any of this deep cleaning with
any plastic near the bike. After I used every petroleum based product known
to man I switched over to Castrol mixed about 60% to 40% water to get all
the above cleaners off. Once I washed it all off with an open water hose with
NO spray end very low pressure I blew it all off with my back pack blower
and all the tight places with air compressor. Came out as clean as a new one.

Do for the benefet of the tree huggers put down towels, blankets and so forth
under the bike to catch run off. It will save your driveway also...

Fun project, no reason to spend tons of money on "special motorcycle engine
cleaners" the 5buck and under stuff works just as good.

+1 vote for Simple Green (or comparable degreasers)!

As I'm finishing up some modifications / maintenance I figured it was as good of a time as any to get all of the grease / gunk off the bike. Sprayed the bike down with simple green (especially the rear / swing arm area) and let it sit for a moment. With a rag I just washed the area once and it was good as new! The heavier stuff I used brake parts cleaner, went over with simple green again, and washed it off thoroughly.

A can of brake rotor cleaner will take off just about anything (except maybe for the nasty look the neighbor gives you when he sees you rinsing it down the street). Its by far the best chain and swing arm degreaser I've found. Good Luck.