Cleaning wheels - Yamaha FZ6 Forums - International FZ6 Motorcycle Community Forum

flyer34 · 01-13-2008, 07:58 PM

I've got 350 miles on the bike now. I washed it for the first time the other day and I noticed that I have chain lube all over the wheels. The lube is whatever the dealership used when they assembled it. I don't know what it is, but it's thick and doesn't come off very easy. What's the best way to clean it off? All of the wheel cleaners in the auto parts stores say 'not safe for motorcycle wheels'. Any suggestions?

bmccrary · 01-13-2008, 08:07 PM

Pig Snot. Its a motorcycle cleaner that my Dad carries, and it has worked well for me. We have used S100 for years, and it works very good, just do not let it sit long. Also after you clean it, get some Mother's Aluminum polish and a Mini Powerball and go to town.

-bryan

**Nelly** · 01-14-2008, 01:53 AM

I use an engine de-greaser (GUNK) first then soap and water.

au.FZ6N · 01-14-2008, 02:03 AM

degreaser here as well then soap + water then fine grade cut then polish with mothers clear coat crap i have in the garage

to clean my wheels properly i would ideally every 6 months take them off and clean them on the bench

and just soap + water once a month

the degreaser i use is called "koalacare" unfortunately has no koalas in it

this thread now will sit in the forefront of my mind as i have managed to neglect cleaning my ride for 6 months... and jesus it needs it

**reiobard** · 01-14-2008, 03:19 AM

i use the waterless bike cleaner (Hondapolish to be exact, but they make several different spray cleaners) and it works great on the whole bike and then if you spray it on and let it sit for a few mins it does a great job on the wheels too.

**grommit** · 01-14-2008, 04:19 AM

Soap and water. My sponge is designed to remove bugs and tar from the car and works fine on the wheels as well. Has a very open plastic net around it.

I have also found micro-fibre cloths work really well on cars and bikes. I got some from the motorcycle show last year.

CanadianFZ6 · 01-14-2008, 04:48 AM

WD-40 works exceptionally well as a rim cleaner. It really isn't much of a lubricant, anyway. I have been using it for years to clean grease and chain lube of of the rims and undercarriage of my bikes.

dark_isz · 01-14-2008, 05:21 AM

..........

01-14-2008, 06:11 AM

Turtle wax bug and tar remover.
It doesn't say anything about motorcycles, but it removes "bugs, tar, oil, grime, road film, tree sap, paint spots, stubborn stains and asphalt."
It works pretty good.

**reiobard** · 01-14-2008, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsteinb95

Turtle wax bug and tar remover.
It doesn't say anything about motorcycles, but it removes "bugs, tar, oil, grime, road film, tree sap, paint spots, stubborn stains and asphalt."
It works pretty good.

did you go out and read the bottle of that stuff?

01-13-2008, 07:58 PM	#1
flyer34 Junior Member Bike: 2008 FZ6, Black Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 31 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 9 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Cleaning wheels I've got 350 miles on the bike now. I washed it for the first time the other day and I noticed that I have chain lube all over the wheels. The lube is whatever the dealership used when they assembled it. I don't know what it is, but it's thick and doesn't come off very easy. What's the best way to clean it off? All of the wheel cleaners in the auto parts stores say 'not safe for motorcycle wheels'. Any suggestions?

01-13-2008, 08:07 PM	#2
bmccrary Touring Mod Bike: 2005 FZ6 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 325 Thanked 539 Times in 254 Posts Rep Power: 28 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Pig Snot. Its a motorcycle cleaner that my Dad carries, and it has worked well for me. We have used S100 for years, and it works very good, just do not let it sit long. Also after you clean it, get some Mother's Aluminum polish and a Mini Powerball and go to town. -bryan Last edited by bmccrary; 01-13-2008 at 08:08 PM. Reason: spelling

01-14-2008, 01:53 AM	#3
Nelly International Liaison Bike: 2005 FZ6 Silver & black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kilcormac, Co Offaly, ROI Posts: 5,351 Thanks: 627 Thanked 1,113 Times in 632 Posts Rep Power: 74 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I use an engine de-greaser (GUNK) first then soap and water. __________________ "Bump starting the FZ6 on frosty ground, when your only 5' 6". Is like a Dachshund trying to swing a leg over a giraffe." Mods in order of appearance: K&N Air filter. Data tool system 4 alarm. Biker dude headlight harness. 12V power socket. Data tag. Speedo healer. Puig frame sliders. Front & back Crash bobbin axle sliders. #1 mod LIB footplate inserts "Don't ask me I got it from here"? Forum FAQs... My Resume...

01-14-2008, 02:03 AM	#4
au.FZ6N destroyer of worlds Bike: 2005 FZ6N Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Perth, WA Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 9 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	degreaser here as well then soap + water then fine grade cut then polish with mothers clear coat crap i have in the garage to clean my wheels properly i would ideally every 6 months take them off and clean them on the bench and just soap + water once a month the degreaser i use is called "koalacare" unfortunately has no koalas in it this thread now will sit in the forefront of my mind as i have managed to neglect cleaning my ride for 6 months... and jesus it needs it __________________ FZ6N all that plastic on the S model is to make the fatties aerodynamic

01-14-2008, 05:21 AM	#8
dark_isz rejected liberal Bike: . Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: . Posts: 305 Thanks: 60 Thanked 105 Times in 56 Posts Rep Power: 15 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	.......... Last edited by dark_isz; 06-28-2009 at 07:35 PM.

01-14-2008, 03:19 AM	#5
reiobard Samurai FZ Soldier Bike: 2007 FZ6 (The Faster Blue) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hillsborough, NH Posts: 7,296 Thanks: 1,126 Thanked 1,406 Times in 971 Posts Rep Power: 112 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i use the waterless bike cleaner (Hondapolish to be exact, but they make several different spray cleaners) and it works great on the whole bike and then if you spray it on and let it sit for a few mins it does a great job on the wheels too.

01-14-2008, 04:48 AM	#7
CanadianFZ6 Member Bike: '08 Triumph Tiger, '08 V-Strom 650 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Baden, Ontario Posts: 710 Thanks: 105 Thanked 309 Times in 154 Posts Rep Power: 28 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	WD-40 works exceptionally well as a rim cleaner. It really isn't much of a lubricant, anyway. I have been using it for years to clean grease and chain lube of of the rims and undercarriage of my bikes.

01-14-2008, 06:11 AM	#9
jsteinb95 Guest Posts: n/a	Turtle wax bug and tar remover. It doesn't say anything about motorcycles, but it removes "bugs, tar, oil, grime, road film, tree sap, paint spots, stubborn stains and asphalt." It works pretty good.

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