How-to Wash Your Bike

[@caseyyork641]

Glad to know there are others out there that like to keep ‘‘em clean. I wash mine after every ride. Always have people ask me if I ride mine cause it always looks good. I just like to take care of my bike and other toys. Stuff is to expensive to trash it.

[@kirkwilliams4942]

Exactly... no excuses to not dial in ALL your stuff.

[@onthethrottle7104]

I remove the tank, seat and radiator shrouds. Takes me 3 minutes. I take a long soft bristle brush instead of the rag. After that I spray the shine, but the final twist is using an electric leaf blower to get the shine spray blown into every crack, etc. Just a little, you don't have to blow the crap out of the bike. Clean bikes = PRIDE! Thanks Jeff for talking about the trail "rules of engagement" super important and you are the only one that I've seen mention them. Thanks for the vid. BTW - Don't buy your stuff from anyone other than Slavens Racing - took me 20 years to find Slavens, will never go anywhere else!!!

[@slaverace1]

Hello ON the Throttle: I like your leaf blower idea.

[@MarkSpencerAZ]

Thanks Jeff, I'm glad I'm not the only OCD rider out there! Also encouraged by your years of experience, and still riding. It's 62 this year, and I'm hoping for another 10 or 15 years at least..

[@slaverace1]

I'll be 70 in June and hoping for 10-15 more years. You're still a puppy.

[@TitaniumFryCook]

Great advice in this video. I’ve been washing a dirt bike for years, but the SC1 on a wet bike is a game changer for me. So easy (no worries about getting everything dry) and truly fantastic results. Thanks Jeff!

[@j.gordonwheat2516]

Thank you Jeff. Way back when I worked as an aircraft mechanic, it was mandatory in our shop that you cleaned anything, (especially the power-plant) before you performed any maintenance or repairs on it. I embrace your philosophy of “work on it clean and keep it clean”.

[@slaverace1]

Thanks for sharing

[@gorongo4202]

Even though I know how to wash a bike I watched this just to hear your riding wisdom. Hope others pay attention to your “Ride Polite”. That small act will help keep our sport enjoyable and accessible to others.

[@PatrickRiggs33]

You are living the life brother! Love the videos. A lot of people need to see this one!

[@slaverace1]

Thank you.

[@SecondHalfofLife]

Way to advocate for ear protection. I worked as a mechanic for decades and was lucky to learn in a shop wear the owner practiced excellent safety and always made ear, eye and hand protection readily available. He never let me weld or make dust without a respirator either. 20 years later I'm so thankful he did that for me. And you're right how many times you see people doing anything from hammering to running loud equipment with out protection. Once your hearing goes it doesn't come back! Same with vision. Same with lungs. Same with fingers. Great video on the wash as well.

[@slaverace1]

Thank you.

[@debbiegreen751]

Blowing air out of an air compressor is one of the worse for your ears

[@vince5946]

I always use an exhaust plug since it's such a simple step. I like to use the Yamaha spray instead of the SC1 only reason is because my buddy owns a Yamaha dealership but I always try to avoid the brakes when spraying that stuff, it takes quite a while to burn that crap off the discs when you go riding.

[@repoman6034]

That gloss spray yields some great results, and I like how efficiently you got the job done. Interesting approach using a turbo pressure wash nozzle. I've only used those on concrete and tough stuff, but i can see how it might have some advantage on a bike with the alternating angles and cone pattern. My concern with that nozzle in my setup would be one slip-up of getting too close, and I'd probably be peeling graphics off the bike. For the bike I use the white standard nozzle at lowest pressure.

[@slaverace1]

Hello Repo Man: I've been using that nozzle for many years with great success, but you do have to be careful with graphics.

[@code4performance]

Great video Jeff. Thank you for taking the time to give us your pro tips.

[@waynen5363]

Awesome Jeff. As always great video. Thanks.

[@slaverace1]

You're welcome!

[@wranglerstar]

Thanks Jeff

[@jasondodd6525]

Thanks Jeff for the great wash tips...love the vids..you're bikes are always super clean..thanks for All the videos and sharing your knowledge it helped me alot understand when I first started 😀

[@Danman1972]

Used a hose and high pressure nozzle for many years . Works fine a good set of brushes and some detail. Takes a bit longer. Just have to know were not to dive close with the pressure washer. Us common sense (a lot of dirt bikers seem to have it). I eventually got a PW. My brother got a electric pressure washer for 5 bucks at a estate sale. He said it was sitting around to much nad said I could have it if I liked it for what he had in it. A few bucks in fittings and I had it working. He said.... I've got 5 in it. I gave him a six pack for it. I told myself if I liked it I would just get one when the other one died. I tried to kill that POS for 5 years. It never died and I liked having one. The GFI end died and didn't feel like fixing it. Pretty sure the pump and motor were fine. I recycled the cord and tossed the PW. I ended up replacing it with another 2.1 gpm electric one that I love for about 150 at the time. I have it set up with a expandable hose and a quick disconnect on a brass Y at the hose bib so I can keep my regular hose it as well. Maybe I should use a mitt. I have a hard time getting that "iron" orange scum from the iron heavy mud we have were I like to ride between the spokes and rotors/sprocket. Currently use a parts washer brush. Works OK, but the mud stains for sure. I use a small electronics blower for getting the water out of nooks and the chain. For a dressing I use regular silicone spray... let it sit and wipe down on everything but the grips and seat. I use a foam cannon with a PH neutral wash (chemical bros) that I use on the cars. Tried Muc-off and didn't like it much. Not sure if I bought the wrong jug... no foam action. If I just ride in dust I use it in a garden sprayer and bust out the hose (no pressure washer). Defiantly cleaning after every ride keeps them looking fresh and not like a clapped out POS.

[@timsilva1944]

Funny, about 10 years ago I got a pressure washer from work for 5 bucks as it was leaking and had low pressure. Spent another $15 on an internal part. Still using it to this day.

[@verdonrocksphotography3510]

do it basically the same only instead of riding it for drying I use the blower and ready for coating, nice nice Jeff, cheers V!

[@stevenstanton5034]

Is that a rotary nozzle tip you're using on the power washer to wash the bikes? I am going to try your technique and spray the whole bike down with SC1 in places where the mud tends to stick on and be hard to remove on everything but the handgrips and the brake rotors.

[@slaverace1]

Hello: Yes. I think it’s called a turbo tip

[@texlee84]

I've never tried spraying the SC1 on when the bike is still wet, I will definitely try that next time.

[@chrisoffersen]

I use Simple Green for the soap (a USMC habit). Works well and is pretty cheap. I'll have to put it into a pump bottle like in this video because I nearly go into muscle-failure using a regular spray bottle on the whole bike. What's your post-ride maintenance routine?

[@slaverace1]

I'll make a post-ride maintenance video soon.

[@goinhot9133]

Growing up racing i wasn’t allowed to use a power washer. “It will blow dirt in the bearings”. As an adult, I’m using the power washer. Used to take hours to get the bike race ready clean wise.

[@gcostanza2115]

Hi Jeff, Great video as always. Is there a reason you prefer to use the SC 1 when the bike is wet?.Also,I have a 4 stroke exc f and from time to time I take the header pipe off and clean it with 0000 grade steel wool and autos. Do you have any tips for cleaning header pipes, and is there anything you can put on them to slow down the oxidisation/discolouring?

[@slaverace1]

Hello: The SC1 works better (removes the scum film) when the bike is wet. Header pipes are tough to keep looking good. Steel wool works as well as anything.

[@gcostanza2115]

@@slaverace1 Hi Jeff, thanks for the advice. Makes sense about the SC1 removing the scum when wet. Will persevere with steel wool and elbow grease on the header pipe. I like to keep it as clean as possible, as I can’t stand the look of them when people just leave them and they go to a horrible dark brown colour!

[@Shelby8371]

Great vid; but why don’t you plug the exhaust pipe so water doesn’t get into engine

[@slaverace1]

Because I don't get water in the engine.

[@kylecooper1790]

When you remove the seat and tank, do you still spray all of what is exposed with the pressure washer? I have a 2020 tpi bike and with all that removed I wasn't sure if it is safe to spray like the area where the battery is

[@slaverace1]

Hello: You can spray away with just water but don't use soap.

[@aganatra7419]

Hey Jeff... great vid and tips...jus wanted to know if there's any risk of getting water in the electricals? - esp if you spray everywhere...but otherwise I'm def gonna invest in a small pressure washer after seeing this!...thanks again

[@slaverace1]

Hello: Water does not hurt the electrical connectors but soap can over time if not well rinsed.

[@mroffel]

Good idea to ride it up and down the street. I use a leaf blower. Does the trick.

[@lboughto]

Jeff, why did you cover your plate? Looks like you have an chunk of an inner tube over it.

[@slaverace1]

Please see my above response to Love Sports.

[@ScottDukesRealEstate]

Thanks Jeff, What's the inner tube over the license plate? Is that used once on the trail to protect the license plate? Went to Moab and trashed my plate. Thx

[@slaverace1]

It serves several purposes. When the bike is elevated on the hoist, the plate is sharp and can/will cut your face. It also protects the plate. The last reason is, other trail users who think they own the trails, like to take pictures and send them to the USFS and tell them you were on an illegal trail when you are on a totally legal trail.

[@ScottDukesRealEstate]

@@slaverace1 Thank you! Good to know.

[@timsilva1944]

@@slaverace1 Thats funny and good advice. Plates are sharp and will piss you off when working on the ass end.

[@goinhot9133]

Here in Ohio it doesn’t have to rain to be muddy 😆 I’ve always argued that’s why we have so many good riders come out of southern Ohio area. The terrain, hills, rocks & mud. Sucks to clean though.

[@eschrader]

The vapor blasting shop said to just use Dawn dish soap and a hose/brush. Is that high gloss spray just silicon spray? Kinda acts like silicone spray I use on my scuba dive gear.

[@slaverace1]

Yes.

[@slagletoby]

Thanks Jeff stay awesome 🇺🇸☝️

[@dznnf7]

Whenever I see a western rider wash a dirt bike it reminds me I should move. We start with a trowel or stick, go to a power washer, then a foam cannon, then power wash, more foam, then a brush, then back to power washer.

[@slaverace1]

I was raised in central Illinois and I remember that process, except back then I didn't have a pressure washer.

[@rposton919]

Back in the day when we had the cleanest bike on the SETRA starting line all I used was a commercial steam cleaner. No chemicals needed.

[@mrmauco]

You clean disks with brake cleaner after spraying with maxima ?

[@slaverace1]

No, it burns off in seconds. Just ride it.

[@TCFBAT]

Many of my friends complain about short rear wheel bearing life, so I ask them if they pressure wash the rear wheel around the axel. The dumbfounded stares I get back are comical.

[@iwe7078]

SC1 on brake discs 👌

[@slaverace1]

I don't spray it directly on the disc. The tiny amount that gets on the disc burns off in seconds.

[@Cross-Country-Biker]

Thanks Jeff - awesome vid and some good comments to go with. Looking good for 69 brother. I'm 53 and enjoying dirt biking..

[@slaverace1]

Keep it up!

[@michaelkuder5348]

Awesome I've never laid the bike down...... Common sense though now that I saw your video!

[@slaverace1]

Glad I could help!

[@jandrews377]

Didn't see a bung in that muffler. Now start the bike, get it up to heat to evaporate any water that may have inadvertently got into the engine. Corrosion of the bottom end bearings is common cause of failure.

[@maxhenry1977]

Hi Jeff, i agree about keeping your machine as nice looking as possible. I have a question, does sc-1 overspray on the discs affect brake performance?

[@slaverace1]

Maybe slightly for a few seconds then it burns off.

[@maxhenry1977]

@@slaverace1 ok, thanks.i will add that step to my washes.

[@motofunk1]

I saw the thumbnail and was half expecting a short of a disapproving voice saying, "use a hose and some elbow grease".

[@jamesmealing5753]

Ok😊

[@dennissawyer8496]

You better get that mess cleaned up before the wife comes home 🤣

[@opgarrett]

I would choose a better tire if I were going through 30-40 tires a year. Shit my Dunlop d606 get me through a couple of years of riding. At 200.00 a set holy moly that’s a shit ton of money. Hell at two hours per set of mounting that’s a whole week of you’re life mounting tires.

[@slaverace1]

To each their own. The Dunlop 606 barely works for dual sport riding but for the extreme terrain I ride, I would be pushing up the rocky hills. I wouldn't use that tire if they were free. I only use gummy rear tires and premium Brigestone X31 up front plus I ride 2-4 days per week. Quality tires are cheap compared to landing on your head and a trip to the ER. Agreed, I spend a lot on tires each year but it's a much better option than sitting on the couch. I can remove the wheels, change the tires and re-install the wheels in 30 minutes. It's quick and easy with correct tools and TUbliss.

[@opgarrett]

@@slaverace1 I am Not disagreeing with you at all but for most of us 30-40 tires is not a affordable thing. I have had great luck out of the dunlops as i ride street also. But at an average of 100$ per tire the real world can’t affor 3-4K on tires every year or we wouldn’t have a couch to even sit on. We have to stretch every penny to be able to afford to ride for a lot of us. I have 12k mikes on a 450sxf I have ridden most of the TAT on, haven’t every rebuilt the engine only valve adjustments. Any way thanks for the reply very impressive I must say. Have been watching all your videos for a long time now you def inspire us. Wish I could get as much seat time as you, keep up the good work sir!

[@qb7384]

What kind of tire changing stand do you use?

[@ssse3123]

I use exhaust plug and tape the rear opening on airbox cover. Then just plain water. It's a dirt bike FFS :)

[@debbiegreen751]

Sorry jeff,do, not use a pressure washer....have a garden hose with a fan spray and a bucket of water with dawn soap in it and a MIT like yours...rinse off with water first then spray with simple green then let sit for 15 min then go to town with the wash mit...looks brand new...I do not believe in the high pressure thing on my 300 xcw....tim

[@slaverace1]

Whatever works for you is fine by me.

[@johnfryman4428]

I like to stick a hose in the airbox and turn it on full blast - That's how I roll

[@gcostanza2115]

I meant Autosol in the last comment

[@MichaelAbramo]

How do I wash my bike without taking it out of my van between rides? lol

[@slaverace1]

Maybe you could turn your van into a bike wash.