bike wash

[dirtbiketoebike]

I know its a mountain bike but I told myself I wasn't going to ride in mud and I accidentally drove through a bunch that looked like dry land... because I was going 85mph. I'm thinking about taking off the motor and controller and pressure washing the rest. Don't want to take a chance of rusting the motor. Ha ok...wasnt doing 85. Guess good time to see if the torque arms are working good. Do you go through all this hassle to get the mud off?

 

[biohazardman]

I just soak it down with a hose trying not to hit the controller, or wires going into the motor directly and then wash it with a brush and rinse it off same as the car. Only once a month or so and I don't normally ride in the mud. Still it gets dirty with the daily commute. Oh, and the throttle is in a bag so under cover and never gets wet.

 

[dogman dan]

I wouldn't hesitate to wash the motor, but yeah, don't pressure wash the controller, or the throttle.

Mud should come off with less pressure, but you need to wet it, let it soften, then go after it with a strong nozzle on the hose.

One thing I did with my off road motors, was drill a series of tiny holes in cover. Too small to let in a large grain of sand, but large enough to let steam out when the motor does collect some humidity inside. That drilling is done with the cover off the motor btw.

I don't hesitate to ride that motor in the wet till the axle is under water. I know it will self dry on the next ride. But the holes are too small to let much water in provided it's moving. If the bike got submerged, and the motor filled with water, it would spin itself nearly dry very quickly. Might have to pedal it to spin dry it, but likely the motor would still run to dry it as long as the controller and throttle stay dry.

 

[lbz5mc12]

I just cover up my electrical components really well and wait for a nice steady downpour. Unfortunately the bike gets a little too "squeaky" clean.

 

[Ykick]

The thing about Mud, slush, bugs and ice-melt salts is to wash before it dries into concrete. Otherwise, it's a soak and brush effort and you may never fully remove it.

Pre-emptive coat of Furniture polish will help protect and help keep mud and other stuff from sticking making it much easier to clean.

Presure washing - obviously, watch any electrics. But be extra careful/cautious pressure washing around axles or anything (headsets, crankwheels) with a bearing - pressurized water will find it's way into bearings. Ask any BMW motorcycle mechanic about wheel bearing problems/replacements for RUBs who love to get every speck of dirt/grime off their pricey wheels with pressure wand car wash.

When it's time to tear down overhaul and truly clean bike components - Steam cleaner is the way to go, IMO.

 

[Drunkskunk]

Don't pressure wash a bicycle. The high pressure water will displace the grease in bearings, Force the dirt and grit on the outside of bearings and cables back into those bearings and cables, and get past the seals on your motor, controller, and throttle.

Just use a hose at normal pressure and a rag or carwash brush to clean it off. When you're done, unplug all the connectors and let them dry out

 

[TSAR]

I use wet wipes to keep my bike clean. With limited space, a hose or pressure washer is not always available. Clorox wipes will take off the mud, but leave the paint. Use a pen or pencil to get into the tight spots.
If you really want to baby your bike, use baby wipes - those are great to remove road salt from the rims.

 

[dirtbiketoebike]

Thanks! I'll have to take a little of everyone's tips and tricks. I'll get it looking new again. Dealing with electronics and the cost just taking caution.

 

[melodious]

I don't use pressure washers of any kind. I fill a bucket with soapy water, and use 2 brushes, one large & one small. The large brush has soft bristles as it makes washing easier. It's certainly enough to get dried mud off. The small brush is a b ng brush. That's right, a b ng brush, used to clean b ngs. It has the keen ability to get into the tight spaces.

Edit: I didn't type enough B NG brushes in this comment.

 

[The fingers]

I like Simple Green on an old rag for routine bike cleaning. For mud I scrape the excess off first. I never go to the do-it-yourself car wash because water will be forced into the frame tubes, bearings, and electrical components. I would rather have a dirty looking bike that lasts than I clean one that is rusting from within. :wink: