How to Wash Your Motorcycle
Interested in keeping your bike looking good and performing well ? Taking the time to clean your motorcycle on a regular basis will keep it looking great (and make you look better too ). It can also help you find any problems and keep your bike running smoothly. Here are the recommended steps for cleaning your bike .
Pre-Wash Steps
First, give your bike a visual check . This is a good time to check parts for wear and to see if anything is loose or missing. If you discover something that needs to be replaced , go ahead and pick up or order your Yamaha parts.
You don’t want to use water on every part of your bike, so make sure those parts of your bike are protected from water. To keep water from entering the exhaust pipe, or pipes, make sure to cover both ends . Most dealers or parts stores carry universal exhaust plugs, but if you don’t have them , you can carefully place a plastic bag around the opening and either tie it in place, or use a strong rubber band.
Also, the air filter will need to be protected . The best way is to simply take it out , or you can use a plastic bag to protect it .
If you see the engine cases are very greasy, use a small brush, like an old toothbrush, and apply engine degreaser. When using degreaser, make sure you stay away from the chain, sprockets, and wheel axels, as the degreaser can potentially cause some nasty issues .
Finally, make sure that the spark plugs, battery caps, gas cap, oil filler cap, and the engine oil lever cap are all secured so no water can get into the engine.
Washing Your Bike
You can rinse off the dirt and the degreaser using a regular hose— make sure you’re not using too much water pressure . Only use enough to clear your motorcycle of dirt and degreaser. Using too much pressure could get water into the front forks or transmission seals. Wheel bearings can be susceptible to water seeping in as well .
When most of the dirt is rinsed off , wash your motorcycle with warm water and mild soap. Don’t forget that toothbrush, or some other type of small brush for places that are hard to get to .
After washing the bike , don’t take a rest yet—you should immediately rinse it off with clean water, and then do your best to dry it off . Pay close attention to the chain— it’s crucial to prevent rust , so make sure it’s good and dry, and then lubricate it with chain lube. For your chrome parts, auto chrome polish will make them shine.
If you decide to wax the painted and chrome parts of your bike , make sure you use an automotive wax. Don’t use wax that contains abrasive materials, because it could scratch or damage parts.
After you are finished , don’t forget to remove everything you used to cover the exhaust pipes or air filter, and start the engine. Let it run for a few minutes to let all the water dry , and to ensure there is no water damage.
Hop on and enjoy the ride!
