What's the best way to wash a bbshd build?

rockwalk

10 mW
Joined
Feb 14, 2016
Messages
23
Location
Manhattan Beach, CA
So my bike (fat tire mountain bike with bbshd and triangle pack) has 2000 hard miles on it and it's absolutely filthy with road grime. You can't even touch it without getting completely black. The wet cloth wipe down ain't gonna cut it. I'm wondering if I can safely remove the battery, plastic bag the display and hit this thing with a degreaser and then hose the shit out of it? Or is this too risky on the motor? maybe if I bag that up as well.

What do you guys use?

Many thanks - Brett.
 
No degreaser, since that will strip the grease out of your bearings and the chain. Also, I wouldn't use a presser washer on it Since that can force water past seals and into the motor, controller, or bearings.

I take a regular garden hose to my bikes all the time, set for shower spray. If it can't survive the wet, I built it wrong. (and i built one wrong, once. :( ) Best soap is carwash soap. Next best is Ivory liquid soap. Don't use Dish soap and laundry soap. They are designed to strip grease, which does bad things to bearings and not much good for paint.

A brush for cleaning automotive wheels works great on bike frames and wheels.
 
Using a pressure washer would be OK if you use it correctly.

True, you don't want to force water in there and that is the real risk here. But, if you don't put it up point blank like you're trying to scrap something off with the water pressure, you should be ok to use it to knock off some dirt. Just keep the point of contact in motion and don't get too close.
 
I'd argue that any soap strips grease.

After removing the battery, wet lightly with a garden hose. Then use a soapy rag to rub the frame, rims, etc. but not the gears, or chain. Then rinse with the hose.

Don't use a powerful nozzle around the motor, or display. But you can use one on the chain, the rear gears, to blow off the grit, then re lube.

In the future, you can just rinse the bike more often, but still avoid blasting the motor, display, or plugs with a power spray.
 
I use a paint brush with plain water, then after it is dry I use WD 40 and paper towels. Twice a week, with complete inspection. I ride at least 500 Km per week, sometimes close to a thousand, on and off road.
 
My buddy that owns a LBS here in LA said use furniture polish, they use the cheap stuff at the 99 cent store. Has a mild solvent and adds a bit of protectant. It worked awesome. No water needed at all
 
dogman dan said:
I'd argue that any soap strips grease.

After removing the battery, wet lightly with a garden hose. Then use a soapy rag to rub the frame, rims, etc. but not the gears, or chain. Then rinse with the hose.

Don't use a powerful nozzle around the motor, or display. But you can use one on the chain, the rear gears, to blow off the grit, then re lube.

In the future, you can just rinse the bike more often, but still avoid blasting the motor, display, or plugs with a power spray.

This is what I do, the only addition is that I blow the water off the bike with an electric leaf blower. I have two: a 48v model with a large nozzle that blasts most of the water off and another 18v one with a small high velocity nozzle that blows derailleurs, brake assemblies and levers and shifters dry. There is enough air power to blast off water, but it is much less than an air nozzle and a compressor, so there is little danger of forcing water into places it shouldn't be like into the controller or the wheel bearings and freewheel. I finish by giving all pivot points and the chain a lube job.
 
I use a cheap (and wimpy) pressure washer and I don't get too close even with it. I hit it overall then wait a few minutes, to let let the crud soften up, then I get a bit more aggressive. Then I air dry in the sun, and hit the chain with some oil. I also ford a lot streams and am mildly surprised they have not been a problem, as some have been deeper then I thought!
 
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