Q&A for How to Wash a Motorcycle

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  • Question
    How do I use polishes to clean a motorcycle?
    Community Answer
    A good quality auto or motorcycle wax will do a great job cleaning your bike. Chrome polish can be used on chrome parts, if your motorcycle has any.
  • Question
    Can water be added to every part of the motorcycle, including the engine?
    Community Answer
    Yes, water does not effect the engine, but be sure not to force water down the exhaust pipe, as this is a direct link to the interior portion of the engine.
  • Question
    Is there a problem with replacing a 100cc bike engine with a 120cc engine?
    CrayFish715
    Community Answer
    Just make sure your other systems (like your chain, sprockets, tires, brakes, etc.) can take the extra power. It shouldn't be too much of a problem with a small jump in power.
  • Question
    When I squirt the engine with the hose, will the water get into the carburetor?
    Adam Monk
    Community Answer
    Water will only get into the carburetor if it has an open air intake. If you have this, simply cover it with a sandwich bag (if the engine isn't running).
  • Question
    Can I wash the chain with water?
    21BizarreNerds
    Community Answer
    You can, but it's easier to use a spray cleaner. If you're going to use water, use warmer water.
  • Question
    Is there something I should use on the motorcycle after I've washed it?
    ARS_AKHIL
    Community Answer
    You can use different kinds of polish (liquid polish, wax polish, dashboard polish) after washing the bike in order to maintain the paint, as well as to give it a shine.
  • Question
    Can I remove the seats to wash the motorcycle?
    ARS_AKHIL
    Community Answer
    It depends on the motorcycle. Some motorcycles have seats that can be removed easily using the ignition key, while some do not have this feature. In such bikes, you won't be able to remove the seat without using tools (and knowing what you're doing). I wouldn't bother in that case unless you really need to.
  • Question
    Won't WD40 destroy the rubber seals in the O/X-ring?
    Community Answer
    According to a long-term exposure test conducted by Bennets, only substances like petrol (gasoline) and diesel attacked the o-rings. It seems that most solvents, including WD40, do not adversely affect o-rings, and this includes kerosene (paraffin). However, it must be added that in a detailed o-ring penetration test conducted on fort-nine, it seems that certain solvents (kerosene included) can penetrate the o-ring seal and reach the sealed chamber, which is not entirely desirable. Finally, though, a very long-term usage test on canyonchasers concluded that using kerosene to clean the chain pre-lubrication had no adverse effect on chain longevity.
  • Question
    What should I do if I accidentally get water in the air filter?
    Community Answer
    You can either let it dry all the way and reuse it if it's still clean or get a new one.
  • Question
    Why can't the soot in the exhaust pipes of a motorcycle be easily removed by washing with water?
    Community Answer
    This is because you have to take the exhaust off the bike. Otherwise, the water might backflow into the cylinder, causing engine and cylinder damage.
  • Question
    How do I clean the carburator?
    Community Answer
    You have to remove the carburetor from your motorcycle, unscrew the float bowl covers and release the float bowls. Once you do that, remove the carburetors jets and spray the them clean with carb fluid only. Once this is accomplished, spray the remaining areas of the carb with the carb fluid and let it dry before reassembling.
  • Question
    The chrome on my bike is decaying, what can I do?
    Vassily Knigge
    Community Answer
    You can buy chrome wrap online and use a heat gun to make it stick to anything.
  • Question
    My motorbike back brake is not working. How do I fix it?
    Edwin ng
    Community Answer
    Replace your motorbike back brake disk with a new one and see if it's working. If it isn't working still, your motorbike ran out of brake fluid.
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