Wheel Cleaning

[jcrawford]

Hello Everyone,

I just took the bike down to the car wash to clean it with the sprayer. I tried the de-greaser offered there on the wheels and it helped, but didn't really take much of the gunk off.

I went to Pep Boys and every brand I checked said not for use on Motorcycles, I am sure this is a safety thing but am not positive.

Mine are all white wheels and have gunk built up on the wheels from the road and from the chain lube.

What I do know is I do not want to leave this stuff on the wheels when I put it away for the season as it will probably ruin the wheels.

What do you guys use to clean your wheels?

[nt650hawk]

Just need to get closer with the spray nozzle....











I use mineral Spirits.

[TheIglu]

Gasoline and a rag.

[jcrawford]

Seriously I don't want to ruin my wheels LOL GASOLINE?

[DoubleRGirl]

used dryer sheets

[jcrawford]

ok thus far looks like all I am getting is sarcasm, thanks though.

[Degsy]

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Gasoline is good. Honda polish is good also.

Be careful at the car wash with the power washer. You can get water into wheel bearings and other bearings, electrical parts etc. Bikes are designed to withstand rain but not a power washer aimed directly at them.

[Kazinator]

Mr. Clean sponge and simple green

[jcrawford]

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Gasoline is good. Honda polish is good also.

Be careful at the car wash with the power washer. You can get water into wheel bearings and other bearings, electrical parts etc. Bikes are designed to withstand rain but not a power washer aimed directly at them.

Good call, I thought about that after about 2 minutes of spraying it full force, I then just released the handle and let it gently spray the bike.

I did get some water in my rear turn signal here's to hoping nothing else got wet.

[Degsy]

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Be careful with simple green or purple power, dilute them both well before use.

[jcrawford]

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Gasoline is good. Honda polish is good also.

Be careful at the car wash with the power washer. You can get water into wheel bearings and other bearings, electrical parts etc. Bikes are designed to withstand rain but not a power washer aimed directly at them.

Hmm I've always heard Gasoline will take paint off, not sure I would want that to happen to my white wheels Is that just a myth or were you really being sarcastic?

[SVRACER01]

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I like Honda polish

[Lucas]

Honda clean.

*in old lady voice* I put this sh$t on everything!

[gixxersixxer]

S100 WHEEL CLEANER.

works wonders

[shashankmittal]

Hmm I've always heard Gasoline will take paint off, not sure I would want that to happen to my white wheels Is that just a myth or were you really being sarcastic?

Gasoline won't take the paint off. I usually use a paper towel soaked in chain cleaner (or WD40) and wipe the wheel with it to remove all the excess chain lube and grime. After which I wash the wheels at the manual car wash with wheel cleaner. My wheels come out shiny as new, every single time.

[Rossco]

I use Bug and Tar Remover.

[Kurlon]

WD40

[Ryno]

I use WD and rag. Honda polish is great stuff but too expensive to use on wheels (on mine anyway) I really like Plexus.

And please don't use a high pressure washer on your brand new bike

[NPDCPA]

S100 WHEEL CLEANER.

THIS or any other wheel cleaner.

[DuncanMoto]

we use the organic orange stuff that is sitting on the shelf next to simple green.
Works well. I take a SOFT wheel brush with me.

[PinHead]

WD-40 and a rag, done!
There is an old thread about this, WD-40 won.

[jcrawford]

Thanks for all the information guys for the time being I used a rag and some chain clean. I then used a microfiber cloth and a bucket to wipe all the chain clean off. I didn't spray it with a hose but the rag was so soaked it worked well enough.

Worked out well except I took it for a ride and now have to do it again LOL

I guess with the white wheels I will be wiping them down almost daily

I will give WD40 a shot next time.

[R7]

Gasoline may clean the gunk on the wheel, but it also takes the protective coatings off the paint. It'll look fine a half dozen or so times using it, but your white wheels will start to turn yellow and dull...black wheels will start to lose their shine.

As said, WD40 and a soft rag to clean the gunky crap off AFTER you wash it down first with soup and water.
This may be controversial and you need to use some caution doing it, but Armor All is a great wheel protector.

Gonna pretend I didn't see where you mentioned you held the power washer there for 2 minutes...

[jcrawford]

As said, WD40 and a soft rag to clean the gunky crap off AFTER you wash it down first with soup and water.

Campbell's or Progresso

and Tomato or Chicken Noodle

[DuncanMoto]

....Worked out well except I took it for a ride and now have to do it again LOL

I guess with the white wheels I will be wiping them down almost daily...

Sounds like you need to give your chain a thorough cleaning (use a grunge brush with Kerosene) and get some clear chain lube or chain wax and learn to apply it correctly.
I have very little per each ride. It does build up over time, but not every ride.