Cleaning wheels

[HarleyKat]

What's everybody use to clean their wheels? This Kat I bought had sat in storage and also wasn't cleaned very well when stored, so there's alot of chain oil on the rear wheel. Any tricks or miracle cleaners for this?
Thanks !!!

[ViperTom]

I use "greased lightning". It seems to cut through that kind of stuff pretty good.

[zcphoto]

i use simple green

[Woodmysta]

i use simple green

[FASHER]

I use "Simple Green". Just recently tried this foaming version, I'm going back an buy every can that cycle Gear has left, work great on the car too!! http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.p...t=simple+green

[steves]

I use a half a 'red cup' of steaming tap water, mixed with a 'half cup' of concentrated simple green. Applied carefully and scrubbed with a tooth brush. Wipe with a rag to remove residue.

You never want to get a degreasing agent on, or near the wheel bearings.

You should avoid using pressure washers as well as they can break down the grease in those areas.

[2000GSXKatana]

i use this stuff from the dollar store and though i have never used said simple green, this stuff works WONDERS for the price, its called totally awesome its a yellow liquid comes in a clear bottle...

[chrisx2]

Kerosene...no elbow greese same for chain as per manual.

[Trackerrrr]

Eagle One wheel cleaner for painted wheels and a good amount of scrubbing. I've also used Goop hand cleaner when I didn't have a water source nearby, works great.

[doesmith]

I use WD40. Spray it on paper towel and wipe grease and oil right off the wheel. Also works to remove grease from other parts as well, kick stand, chain guard... I never spray directly on the bike.

[DreKat]

I use Spray Nine and or SOS pads (but never use SOS pads on paint.

[The CyberPoet]

Sludge Away by Moose Racing Products.
Comes in a 16 ounce container with their pass-through chain cleaner, or can be purchased separately in 16, 64 and 128 ounce [1-gal] sizes. 16 ounces typically lasts a year, washing both the chains and the wheels. The stuff is generally fantastic -- pour on sponge, sponge on dry (oil coated) whatever, rub if necessary, rinse with garden hose. Once I turned SpecialK on to it, he swore by it as well. 1 Gal size typically costs about $27, and your local dealer should be able to order it via their PartsUnlimited catalog.

TIPS:
Never use scotchbrite (esp. green, intended for steel), steel wool, or any other serious scrubbers on your wheels -- it will damage the finish. Instead use degreaser chemicals that do the heavy work with a rag or sponge.
Be careful to keep most degreasers off your tire rubber. Degreasers will tend to remove the VOC's in the rubber, making the rubber age prematurely. Thus, use only enough to swab the metal until you rinse -- don't pour/spray on and have the strong stuff run down your tires to sit for a while before you spray the bike down with water.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[HarleyKat]

OUCH !!!!! Used a Scotchbrite already with the Simple Green. Live and learn. For what it's worht, they did a good job.
Thanks for the replies.

[Kfreak]

Steam cleaner.

[The CyberPoet]

Steam cleaner.

That's actually a pretty darn good idea... what's a cheap one cost these days?

Just gotta keep it away from cheap rubber tire valves...

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.