Covered in oil!

headshrink · 08-03-2008, 02:00 AM

So I am on a trip with my buddy who is riding a borrowed HD... he is in front. I notice he appears to be burning oil (pipes were smoking a lot). It didn't seem to out of the ordinary, so I didn't mention it to him at first. He was in front for a while, and I started noticing it was getting harder to see. I thought I was aqumulating an unusual amount of smashed bugs on my visor, or left over snow-melt salts or chemicals from the mountain road we were on.... yeah, it was oil. He had lost his oil cap long ago!

So the question is.... how do I clean it up (all over helmet, windsheild, front fairing and some mechanical stuff underneith)? Being on the road, I bought windex from a gas station to clean the helmet and wipe off the bike.... will this damage the finish in any way? How shall I take care of it when I get home???

kitty kat · 08-03-2008, 04:02 AM

The oil shouldn't cause any problems to anything, I would just give the bike a really good wash with some hot water and some bike/car wash in it.

Bullzaye · 08-03-2008, 07:01 AM

I don't know this for a fact, but from what others have said my understanding is that Windex and other glass cleaning products are NOT good for cleaning motorcycle helmets. It may not affect the finish at all, but if used on the visor it will cause the plastic to become cloudy. I'm not sure how quickly this will occur, whether one application will cause problems or not. My advice would be to discontinue using Windex on the helmet, particularly the visor.

Tim

08-03-2008, 08:30 AM

Well I'll tell you what I would do but it might not be the right thing to do. I would wash the bike in really hot sudsy dish soap (like Dawn). It is designed to break up oils somewhat gently. However this will strip some of your wax (etc.) off, but you probably would have wanted to re-wax all your stuff anyway. Of course I am just talking about the bike not your gear.

Reminds me of the AC/DC tune – “Cover You in Oil”

lol

Dodsfall · 08-03-2008, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Custom85VT

I would wash the bike in really hot sudsy dish soap (like Dawn).

I would do the same thing in this situation. The dish soap is not good to use as a constant wash, since it will be a little harsh on the finish over the long run. I doubt using it every so often will hurt anything.

iamgumby · 08-03-2008, 09:50 AM

Ditch the windex (anything with ammonia can hurt the plexi) in favor of 'Sprayway' glass cleaner and stay with a car wash. They will clean oil off just fine. The better your wax job was the easier the oil will come off. Re-wax.

Your friend is quite lucky. I saw a rider with an oil issue (over full - coming out a vent tube) tht wasn't so lucky. Oiled up the back tire and low-sided on the center line. That's when the luck kicked in - didn't get hit by approaching traffic and minor injuries without gear.

We need to check things other than what we think needs to be checked. If you go to an MSF website there should be a check list that you can print off for free.

Hogrider · 08-03-2008, 05:42 PM

The hot soapy water is good but I would mix Simple Green 3 parts water to 1 part chemical and spray the bike down with it after rinsing, Then after letting sit for a minute use the hot soapy water but do this early in the morning before it gets hot out. The Simple green will not hurt the paint or plastic parts and it breaks up oil real good. Remember, do not do this when it is hot out and preferably in the shade.

modelmatrix · 08-03-2008, 08:38 PM

Glad to hear about the Windex on the plexiglass. Soap 'n water's best huh?

crazymike · 08-04-2008, 10:08 AM

ooooooo....yeah...nevah spray any dials,guages, bike windshields with "glass cleaners"...I found out the hard way many years ago while detailing my ol' Z28...a lil' Windex on the speedo left it completely clouded and almost unreadable.

...the oil cutting dish soap is a great idea and works ! Just be certain to completely rinse it all off cuz' any missed soap can be a dust and grime magnet until the next wash.

Cheers !

headshrink · 08-04-2008, 02:29 PM

Prior to all this I have been cleaning my mirrors, windshield and Visor with A-Maz Clean & Clear Aero Technology Glass Cleaner (it's a mouthful). It seems to work very well and repels water after application. It claims to be safe on plastics. I have only had my bike 2 months so if it is bad, I haven't seen evidence of it.... should I be concerned or does it sound truly safe?

Dodsfall · 08-04-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headshrink

Prior to all this I have been cleaning my mirrors, windshield and Visor with A-Maz Clean & Clear Aero Technology Glass Cleaner (it's a mouthful). It seems to work very well and repels water after application. It claims to be safe on plastics. I have only had my bike 2 months so if it is bad, I haven't seen evidence of it.... should I be concerned or does it sound truly safe?

I think if it's labeled safe for plastics you should be ok.

08-03-2008, 02:00 AM	#1
headshrink Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: CA Posts: 411	Covered in oil! So I am on a trip with my buddy who is riding a borrowed HD... he is in front. I notice he appears to be burning oil (pipes were smoking a lot). It didn't seem to out of the ordinary, so I didn't mention it to him at first. He was in front for a while, and I started noticing it was getting harder to see. I thought I was aqumulating an unusual amount of smashed bugs on my visor, or left over snow-melt salts or chemicals from the mountain road we were on.... yeah, it was oil. He had lost his oil cap long ago! So the question is.... how do I clean it up (all over helmet, windsheild, front fairing and some mechanical stuff underneith)? Being on the road, I bought windex from a gas station to clean the helmet and wipe off the bike.... will this damage the finish in any way? How shall I take care of it when I get home???

08-03-2008, 04:02 AM	#2
kitty kat Biker for Life Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Blackpool, England Posts: 870	The oil shouldn't cause any problems to anything, I would just give the bike a really good wash with some hot water and some bike/car wash in it. __________________ A bike is for life, not just sunny Sundays

08-03-2008, 07:01 AM	#3
Bullzaye Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 226	I don't know this for a fact, but from what others have said my understanding is that Windex and other glass cleaning products are NOT good for cleaning motorcycle helmets. It may not affect the finish at all, but if used on the visor it will cause the plastic to become cloudy. I'm not sure how quickly this will occur, whether one application will cause problems or not. My advice would be to discontinue using Windex on the helmet, particularly the visor. Tim __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" Benjamin Franklin, 1759

08-03-2008, 09:50 AM	#6
iamgumby Fallen Riders Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Texas Posts: 3,950	Ditch the windex (anything with ammonia can hurt the plexi) in favor of 'Sprayway' glass cleaner and stay with a car wash. They will clean oil off just fine. The better your wax job was the easier the oil will come off. Re-wax. Your friend is quite lucky. I saw a rider with an oil issue (over full - coming out a vent tube) tht wasn't so lucky. Oiled up the back tire and low-sided on the center line. That's when the luck kicked in - didn't get hit by approaching traffic and minor injuries without gear. We need to check things other than what we think needs to be checked. If you go to an MSF website there should be a check list that you can print off for free. __________________ 03 Suzuki GSF1200S Bandit, HIR headlights, GIVI shield, SWMoto guards, Hayabusa shock, lowered 2", H/S backrest & tailrack, Avon Storms, VStrom Hand Guards, IBA SS 1k

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08-03-2008, 08:30 AM	#4
Custom85VT Guest Posts: n/a	Well I'll tell you what I would do but it might not be the right thing to do. I would wash the bike in really hot sudsy dish soap (like Dawn). It is designed to break up oils somewhat gently. However this will strip some of your wax (etc.) off, but you probably would have wanted to re-wax all your stuff anyway. Of course I am just talking about the bike not your gear. Reminds me of the AC/DC tune – “Cover You in Oil” lol

08-03-2008, 05:42 PM	#7
Hogrider Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the Wildcat State Posts: 919	The hot soapy water is good but I would mix Simple Green 3 parts water to 1 part chemical and spray the bike down with it after rinsing, Then after letting sit for a minute use the hot soapy water but do this early in the morning before it gets hot out. The Simple green will not hurt the paint or plastic parts and it breaks up oil real good. Remember, do not do this when it is hot out and preferably in the shade.

08-03-2008, 08:38 PM	#8
modelmatrix Verified Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 32	Glad to hear about the Windex on the plexiglass. Soap 'n water's best huh?

08-04-2008, 10:08 AM	#9
crazymike Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 84	ooooooo....yeah...nevah spray any dials,guages, bike windshields with "glass cleaners"...I found out the hard way many years ago while detailing my ol' Z28...a lil' Windex on the speedo left it completely clouded and almost unreadable. ...the oil cutting dish soap is a great idea and works ! Just be certain to completely rinse it all off cuz' any missed soap can be a dust and grime magnet until the next wash. Cheers !

08-04-2008, 02:29 PM	#10
headshrink Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: CA Posts: 411	Prior to all this I have been cleaning my mirrors, windshield and Visor with A-Maz Clean & Clear Aero Technology Glass Cleaner (it's a mouthful). It seems to work very well and repels water after application. It claims to be safe on plastics. I have only had my bike 2 months so if it is bad, I haven't seen evidence of it.... should I be concerned or does it sound truly safe?