Hi All,

Gave the Iron it's first wash then hit it with Windex to finish off with.

Whilst doing so, I though - what do we do to maintain the Engine parts which have been blacked out to prevent the white oxide which appears over time.

I thought of using products like protectants which would result in a Satin finish.

What are you guys doing??

 

Fritzables.

 

i ride everyday (rain, hail, shine) i have 35,000ks on my iron so far and it still looks good. I usually wash my bike every week or so, i use CT-18 mixed with water in a spray bottle and drench the engine, frame, wheels, bars, brakes etc basically every thing but the tank and tins. I use a soft dust pan brush to "scrub" everything, car wash on tins, and pressure wash clean. After that a bit of Mr sheen on the tins and anything else (mr sheen will make it look a little more glossy but still very much a matt finish). I've not yet needed to put anything at all on the engine/case as it still looks new. If i was to use anything i would after doing the above use the Harley Engine Brightener.

Here is a vid for you......

 

T1

Hey T1,

I like the Lift - where did ya get that little gem from??
I like your comments about Mr Sheen - I will definitely give that a go.
What's the CT-18 ??

Fritzables

The lift is from repco, they have them on special from time to time for $150.
CT-18 is a truck wash, you can also get it from Repco.

T1

I'm with terroristone. Spray soak with CT-18. Pressure wash with K'archer (careful around electronics and bearings) dry with leaf blower and good quality microfibre cloth. Paint and windscreen gets routine attention with a waterless cleaner polish (I use 2 types depending on how I feel) Every couple of washes, polish with HD polish on paintwork, and don't want to sound cheap but I use aerosol tins of spray tyre shine. You can spray it any and everywhere and wipe off excess. I also inundate the cylinder fins and simply wipe the chrome. Works a treat. Black looks clean black and flat. Price paid doesn't seem to make a difference so anything $2 to $5 a tin should see you right. If I can get a pic in the next 10 mins, I'll upload. Edit, pics uploaded. 2003 Deuce. Sorry about smears and spots. Went for ride today.

some one once told me dish washing liquid haven't tried it yet but it dose not have the waxes and stuff normal car washes have

Your not worried the high pressure cleaner will damage paint or anything like that?

I use WD40 all over the engine, fins etc. keeps it black and although it does collect dust it just hoses off as well. Also spray it under the bike, around the sump etc and give it a wipe, keeps everything nice and clean.

Thanks for the tips steelo, that's a very neat looking deuce ,!

Here's an observation, be-careful of prolonged use of CT-18.
CT-18 is truck wash and can and will dull your chrome and paint, given time.

We changed to CT-20 for our fleet and have had great results, CT-20 is a wash n wax from the same company.
Within a couple of washes the trucks started to get a good shine back to the paint work.
CT-18 seams to be way too aggressive and is formulated to remove heavy road grime associated with highway driving in the transport industry.
CT-20 however seams to be better suited for keeping and enhancing that paint work shine!

Thanks Gents,

A lot of good ideas to try - I like the WD40 idea - will give this a go over the weekend, follow up with some CT-20.

Fritzables.

where are you located stello? maybe i'll buy some from you. I use it for washing the car engines, wheels, my house windows....

T1

I just picked up my iron about a week ago and the dealer handed me a bottle of HD spray on denim paint wash, he said not to use anything that contains silicone in it as it will eventually destroy the denim paint.

I would not use windex or any other sort of cleaner that is not specifically for vehicles. Many products like dishwashing liquid, perhaps windex have chlorine in them & can eat into the metal under your paintwork. Windex is made for cleaning glass, glass is a very, very different material than what most of your bike is made from (except the headlight glass of course). Windex on a motorbike?? have you been driving with the apron on for too long???

Thanks Dermie & Bonkerz,

Very much noted.

Going back a couple of weeks ago when I took delivery, I did a search on the internet and saw a few clowns on You Tube are saying that all is needed was Windex...... and, as we all know, everything on the internet is true, I followed suite.

Apron off and down to the dealer to get the real McCoy.