Cleaning bike rims?
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 125
From: Nashville TN
Cleaning bike rims?
I have the gold rims on my sh and they get dirty fast. What's safe to use to clean rims and not cause any damage?
Also, is there an easier way to get to those hard to reach places?
What about spray on hose off cleaner? Remember, these are the gold rims and not black.
Also, is there an easier way to get to those hard to reach places?
What about spray on hose off cleaner? Remember, these are the gold rims and not black.
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SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
WD-40 is pertrolium based and will remove glue, gum, bugs, Tar and other stuff.
Allways try something like this is an out of the way area to make sure it is not harming you coating. After you are done use some good car wash soap and hot as you can stand it water and wash the wheels.
Mine are stripped so i just polish mine.
DO NOT USE something like Greased Lightning or SIMPLE Green. I wouldn't use commercial Car Wheel cleaners either unless you want to first try it in a small area with a rag.
Good luck
P.S. Screw using all that expensive chain lube, just use WD-40 on your O-Ring chain, i have been diong so for 30 years and i get great chain life.
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SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 818
From: Thornwood, NY
Plain old water and dish soap... although if it is gummy I will wipe it with some WD-40 first as thumper suggested... works pretty damn well... I spray it on a rag then wipe to avoid gtting it all over the rotor and tire.
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SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
Yea i forgot the tried and true Honda Polish, however i usually just use it on a fairly clean bike for a quick clean up.
It really depend on how nasty they have gotten on what you need to use.
I have seen some bike owners scared to wash their bikes for fear it will damage something electrical or something else.
I have owned bikes all my life and the only place i stay clear of with the water hose is the exhaust pipe opening. Everything else including the gauges get washed, never had a problem after 30 plus years of riding.
It really depend on how nasty they have gotten on what you need to use.
I have seen some bike owners scared to wash their bikes for fear it will damage something electrical or something else.
I have owned bikes all my life and the only place i stay clear of with the water hose is the exhaust pipe opening. Everything else including the gauges get washed, never had a problem after 30 plus years of riding.
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Superstock
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 470
From: titusville, fl
Try S100 Total Cycle Cleaner. It's hard to find, might try a, gasp, chopper shop. This stuff is GOOD! Won't harm paint or plastic but cuts chain lube and brake dust like it's nobody's business.
DO NOT use car wheel cleaner. It eats the coating off Jap bike wheels.
DO NOT use car wheel cleaner. It eats the coating off Jap bike wheels.
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Squid
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 84
Rims
I also have the gold rims. I waxed mine first and then once you do you that the chain lube will wipe right off and if it stuck on there thick i use chrome polish. I have found that different lube stick to the rims more so than others. Right now i am using belray. My 2 cents.
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MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
Yeah, read the labels. Many will say "not safe for aluminum". I found DILUTED simple green ok for powder coated wheels but heavy strenght on any bare aluminum would stain or lose its protective coating after a few washes.
Honda polish works well but pretty darn expensive as a wheel cleaner. I use it for the occasional light cleaning but use kerosene for major buildups and after chain cleaning.
If it really bothers you, get black wheels. MUCH easier upkeep.
Honda polish works well but pretty darn expensive as a wheel cleaner. I use it for the occasional light cleaning but use kerosene for major buildups and after chain cleaning.
If it really bothers you, get black wheels. MUCH easier upkeep.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 524
WD40 is awesome for getting sticky stuff like chain lube/wax off and is cheaper than anything else.
S100 is also available through Honda Dealers, but they call it Honda Brite, I use it diluted about 50/50 for major cleaning and use the Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish in between.
My 2 cents worth.
Kai Ju
S100 is also available through Honda Dealers, but they call it Honda Brite, I use it diluted about 50/50 for major cleaning and use the Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish in between.
My 2 cents worth.
Kai Ju
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Squid
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 95
From: Corona de Tucson
I have the silver rims on my Hawk and I use Oil Eater. It breaks down the lube that ends up on the kick stand and the chain guard. I also use the Honda Cleaner to clean up the rim after I lube the chain.
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Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 223
From: Las Vegas, NV
Spray on carnuba wax in a can. I think that the stuff that I had was made by eagle one. When I had my 92 CBR600 with the white wheels it was the easiest and the quickest thing to use. Things also came off of the wheels a lot easier after they were waxed a couple of times
Dennis
Dennis
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 125
From: Nashville TN
WD40 knocked the grime right off! I didn't have to scrub at all. While I was down there I cleaned of some sticker residue that someone left on it and it made my bike look brand new!
I also installed a zero gravity dark smoke windscreen and it gave the bike a whole new look as well. Now all I have to do is change these stock lights out and then I am ready for some slip ons!
My wife of course doesn't agree, but she'll want something soon and then the negotiations will begin.
I also installed a zero gravity dark smoke windscreen and it gave the bike a whole new look as well. Now all I have to do is change these stock lights out and then I am ready for some slip ons!
My wife of course doesn't agree, but she'll want something soon and then the negotiations will begin.
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