Bike at the carwash

Mr Wiggles · 05-18-2006

This is my first bike so don't laugh...Can I take the thing to the carwash and spray it down or will I get water in the carbs ?

longbeachgary · 05-18-2006

I wouldn't because high pressure water can get into wheel bearings, electronics and other sensitive areas.

cudaosix · 05-18-2006

I wouldnt take a high pressure washer to it.

*trikebubble* · 05-18-2006

I (we) use a bucket of warm clean water and a bunch of rags.

kawah1c · 05-18-2006

I use a high pressure washer on all my bikes (1971-1978 models). Never had a problem. Just make sure to keep a little distance when you do the sensitive parts such as carbs, electrics etc.

guarddude18 · 05-18-2006

I use the magic carwash kit. Kmart and walmart have them. Hook to your normal hose use the spray function then the soap thats built in and then rinse with the spot free rinse and i use a shami to dry with. Works great and it isn't really gonna get water where it shouldn't be.

KyBoy · 05-18-2006

I would'nt use the high pressure car wash . I've washed my car at the
carwash a few times (very few) and I can never seem to get the soap
off very well . Alot of spotting too . I hand wash my bike with jiffy washing
liquid then blow off the excess with my leaf blower . Works really well .
No spots and shines like new money .

SteveMcGreen · 05-18-2006

I wouldn't take it to the car wash.I quit washing my bikes with water.And if I do have to spray it down with with hose I immediately get out the leaf blower out and dry it off.There are many nooks and crannies that water can hide on a MC.If the water lays there it can cause corrosion problems.It may look good but you are just causing problems for the future.Get some spray cleaner from the stealership,it works great

*Tod* · 05-18-2006

Best place to wash your bike is in your driveway or parking space with a bucket and some rags.

No high pressure sprays, nuh-uh, wouldn't be prudent.

Wolfman1972 · 05-19-2006

Aside from the issue of water finding its way into the bearings, electrics, etc. I'd be even more worried about spraying cold water onto a hot engine (assuming you just rode it to the carwash). Maybe I just worry too much, but that seems to be a recipe for disaster. A bucket of soapy water, some soft sponges, and a garden hose on a nice sunny day is the best way in my book.

05-18-2006	#1 (permalink)
Mr Wiggles Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 31	Bike at the carwash This is my first bike so don't laugh...Can I take the thing to the carwash and spray it down or will I get water in the carbs ?

05-18-2006	#3 (permalink)
cudaosix Guitar nerd BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 3,542	I wouldnt take a high pressure washer to it. __________________ Over 40 MegaFonzies and rising 1980 KZ1000

05-18-2006	#4 (permalink)
trikebubble Slow Guy on a Fast Bike Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Okanagan Falls, BC Posts: 22,646	I (we) use a bucket of warm clean water and a bunch of rags. __________________ 08 Midnite Sapphire Blue ZX-14

05-18-2006	#9 (permalink)
Tod I yam what I yam Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 22,018	Best place to wash your bike is in your driveway or parking space with a bucket and some rags. No high pressure sprays, nuh-uh, wouldn't be prudent. __________________ “Saying what we think gives us a wider conversational range than saying what we know.” - Cullen Hightower

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05-18-2006	#2 (permalink)
longbeachgary Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 841	I wouldn't because high pressure water can get into wheel bearings, electronics and other sensitive areas.

05-18-2006	#5 (permalink)
kawah1c Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 1,186	I use a high pressure washer on all my bikes (1971-1978 models). Never had a problem. Just make sure to keep a little distance when you do the sensitive parts such as carbs, electrics etc.

05-18-2006	#6 (permalink)
guarddude18 Crusin in 5th gear. BTK Beginner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Horseheads, NY Posts: 111	I use the magic carwash kit. Kmart and walmart have them. Hook to your normal hose use the spray function then the soap thats built in and then rinse with the spot free rinse and i use a shami to dry with. Works great and it isn't really gonna get water where it shouldn't be.

05-18-2006	#7 (permalink)
KyBoy Patriot Guardian Forum Supporter Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 817	I would'nt use the high pressure car wash . I've washed my car at the carwash a few times (very few) and I can never seem to get the soap off very well . Alot of spotting too . I hand wash my bike with jiffy washing liquid then blow off the excess with my leaf blower . Works really well . No spots and shines like new money .

05-18-2006	#8 (permalink)
SteveMcGreen Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 148	I wouldn't take it to the car wash.I quit washing my bikes with water.And if I do have to spray it down with with hose I immediately get out the leaf blower out and dry it off.There are many nooks and crannies that water can hide on a MC.If the water lays there it can cause corrosion problems.It may look good but you are just causing problems for the future.Get some spray cleaner from the stealership,it works great

05-19-2006	#10 (permalink)
Wolfman1972 1962 B8 125cc!! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 19	Aside from the issue of water finding its way into the bearings, electrics, etc. I'd be even more worried about spraying cold water onto a hot engine (assuming you just rode it to the carwash). Maybe I just worry too much, but that seems to be a recipe for disaster. A bucket of soapy water, some soft sponges, and a garden hose on a nice sunny day is the best way in my book.

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