The Blog of Blues
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- Years Riding: 16
- My Motorcycle: 2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Re: The Blog of Blues
I went to a group bike wash, social event and ride. When I washed my motorcycle I discovered that the dirt on the rims was more than just dirt. It did not wash off. It looked like corrosion.
One of the participants suggested oven cleaner.
I am disappointed in the quality of the chrome on this motorcycle. My previous (which was my first) motorcycle did not have problems with the chrome. In fact, after 5 years and 50,000 km, it still looked showroom new.
I have had this bike for less than 2 years and only 7,000 km, yet it looks older and well used.
I decided to spend some quality time with my motorcycle to try to clean the chrome.
I have spent the last few evenings working at cleaning my bike. The reason is that the oven cleaner needs to sit for two hours before washing off. I used the oven cleaner that is intended to be used cold.
I did a test spot on a rim first to make sure it would not damage the rim and that it would actually remove whatever that grime is.
It did the job, last night I worked on the front rim and the pipes. This evening I worked on the rear rim. I still have much to do on the rims, because I have other things to do…so my time is limited…
I did make some good progress though as you can see in the pictures.
Here is snapshot of a part of a rim before cleaning. You can see the dirt…it would not wash off with regular auto wash and hot water.
Here is the rim with the foam on it….it had to sit for two hours…..some parts had to be done twice….
And here is the after picture….the difference is remarkable….
The spoked wheels are a challenge to clean. Once I get the stubborn dirt of the rims, I will tackle the spokes.
There had also been some burned on back debris on the pipes. It would not come with washing or with chrome cleaner….so I used the oven cleaner. I had to do the pipes twice over two nights. The first time took off some of the back…but some of it was too stubborn…so I sprayed the oven cleaner again and it came of nicely the next time.
Well…with the help of elbow grease…
One of the participants suggested oven cleaner.
I am disappointed in the quality of the chrome on this motorcycle. My previous (which was my first) motorcycle did not have problems with the chrome. In fact, after 5 years and 50,000 km, it still looked showroom new.
I have had this bike for less than 2 years and only 7,000 km, yet it looks older and well used.
I decided to spend some quality time with my motorcycle to try to clean the chrome.
I have spent the last few evenings working at cleaning my bike. The reason is that the oven cleaner needs to sit for two hours before washing off. I used the oven cleaner that is intended to be used cold.
I did a test spot on a rim first to make sure it would not damage the rim and that it would actually remove whatever that grime is.
It did the job, last night I worked on the front rim and the pipes. This evening I worked on the rear rim. I still have much to do on the rims, because I have other things to do…so my time is limited…
I did make some good progress though as you can see in the pictures.
Here is snapshot of a part of a rim before cleaning. You can see the dirt…it would not wash off with regular auto wash and hot water.
Here is the rim with the foam on it….it had to sit for two hours…..some parts had to be done twice….
And here is the after picture….the difference is remarkable….
The spoked wheels are a challenge to clean. Once I get the stubborn dirt of the rims, I will tackle the spokes.
There had also been some burned on back debris on the pipes. It would not come with washing or with chrome cleaner….so I used the oven cleaner. I had to do the pipes twice over two nights. The first time took off some of the back…but some of it was too stubborn…so I sprayed the oven cleaner again and it came of nicely the next time.
Well…with the help of elbow grease…
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- Real Name: Ryan
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 4
- My Motorcycle: 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Re: The Blog of Blues
For your wheels, try chain cleaner. A lot of the same contaminants (chain lube, dirt, oil, road grime) that grub up your chain also grub up your wheels. Plus it won't hurt your rubber valve stems, just make sure not to get it on your tire tread of course.
Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
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- Moderator
- Posts: 10182
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:28 pm
- Sex: Female
- Years Riding: 16
- My Motorcycle: 2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Re: The Blog of Blues
Thanks wrider...I will go to the motorcycle shop after work to get some. I also will look for something for the belt....it squelches at low speed.
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- Site Supporter - Gold
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- Real Name: Ryan
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 4
- My Motorcycle: 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Re: The Blog of Blues
If your bike shop doesn't have anything for the belt, head to the auto parts store. Belt dressing. 

Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
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- Moderator
- Posts: 10182
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:28 pm
- Sex: Female
- Years Riding: 16
- My Motorcycle: 2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Re: The Blog of Blues
Well...the bike guy was aghast that I had used oven cleaner anywhere near my bike. He tried some chain cleaner and he tried some Auto Sol...they both worked ok..but he recommended the Auto Sol...it is a chrome cleaner/polish. He tried it on a spoke and on a part of the rim..there is now one shiny spoke.
The only thing I can think of of that may have caused this is the gravel mountain road I travelled. Perhaps it had been sprayed with something...
Well..I have some tedious work ahead of me to get the spokes cleaned.
The shop guy also said I could belt ease at Home Depot....
The only thing I can think of of that may have caused this is the gravel mountain road I travelled. Perhaps it had been sprayed with something...
Well..I have some tedious work ahead of me to get the spokes cleaned.
The shop guy also said I could belt ease at Home Depot....
- High_Side
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- Location: Calgary AB, Can
Re: The Blog of Blues
I've used a lot of AutoSol over the years and yep, it's great stuff. Putting a buffing wheel on your drill works well when you really want to get after it.
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- Moderator
- Posts: 10182
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:28 pm
- Sex: Female
- Years Riding: 16
- My Motorcycle: 2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Re: The Blog of Blues
Highside
Thanks. I'll keep that in mind when I do the pipes. I'll have to go see if the hardware store sells buffing wheels. I do have a drill.
Thanks. I'll keep that in mind when I do the pipes. I'll have to go see if the hardware store sells buffing wheels. I do have a drill.
- zeligman
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- Location: Boston, MA
Re: The Blog of Blues
<insert drill joke>blues2cruise wrote:Highside
Thanks. I'll keep that in mind when I do the pipes. I'll have to go see if the hardware store sells buffing wheels. I do have a drill.


still recovering - back to crutches, then walking with a stick, then running - then hopefully riding again!
- High_Side
- Site Supporter - Platinum
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- My Motorcycle: Desert-X, CB1100F, CRF300 Rally, Nightha
- Location: Calgary AB, Can
Re: The Blog of Blues
zeligman wrote:<insert drill joke>blues2cruise wrote:Highside
Thanks. I'll keep that in mind when I do the pipes. I'll have to go see if the hardware store sells buffing wheels. I do have a drill.

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- Moderator
- Posts: 10182
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:28 pm
- Sex: Female
- Years Riding: 16
- My Motorcycle: 2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Re: The Blog of Blues
I don't get it.High_Side wrote:zeligman wrote:<insert drill joke>blues2cruise wrote:Highside
Thanks. I'll keep that in mind when I do the pipes. I'll have to go see if the hardware store sells buffing wheels. I do have a drill.
