Topic: Bike cleaning in london

Hello

I am trying to find someone who does bike cleaning.  I work in central London and live South East London.

I drive a Ducatti Monster and would like to find someone who does a top job and also takes good care of the bike, someone you can trust.

Can anyone give me a steer?

Thanks

[count von count]

mo-clean.com

They used to be based in Kings X but are now mobile. Pricy, but do a good job.

[Mikey]

Pieman has tried him and recommends him too. Shame he doesn't do double glazing '>

[pieman]

moclean is a really nice geezer. Did a top job on mine and Becca's bikes after we came back from France.His website

And this moclean fella does not use detergents or high pressure jets?

[stevewright]

no one does a better more loving job than when u do it yourself

[Mikey]

Quote (stevewright @ Dec. 04 2006,10:32)

no one does a better more loving job than when u do it yourself

Wrong thread mate, we're talking about cleaning bikes  '>  

[pieman]

Quote

And this moclean fella does not use detergents or high pressure jets?

He uses a pressure washer, with hot water. And detergents, what do you use if you don't use detergents? They are metal and paint friendly so far. Not sure I'd want to use his method every week, but once or twice a year, or if you're selling, or putting away for the winter I'd give him a bell.

[stevewright]

hahaha i walked into that one really didnt i

[Mr Rizla]

weve used him before he went mobile, a very very good job he does but it does cost u a bit, might just give him a call myself

I don't use detergents, they're no good for the bike, i use Moto Clean 900 by Motorex, but thanks, you answered my question and i won't use this guy if he uses pressure wash and detergents.  

Thanks

[Mr Rizla]

he only uses safe chemicals but its your choice

[pieman]

don't know what he uses, what is your definition of a detergent, I'm using the 'a detergent is something that you use to clean stuff' definition. Why not ring him up and ask him, he'll know what he uses!!

[count von count]

And he uses the pressure washer on the lowest setting so he doesn't blow a hole in yer fairings.

Go on, give him a tinkle! You've had no other recommendations apart from DIY

Hey dont knock the presure washer there good i have done a few bikes first you need to take the side fairings off and you need a stiff paint brush to use, and buy the gunk spray or liquid version ,degrease the engine and any mechanical metal part for at least 10 mins and start disturbing the dirt all over, remmember fairing comes last this is not for the fairing , once you got the bits done then jet it off properlly and repeat if necessary untill visually clean before you start degreasing heat the engine for 5-10 mins then after you jetted the crap  off let your engine run untill its dry and if you want to winterproof your metal use waxoyl from halfords its the best safest water repelent oil to use....

then dont forget your clutch and throttle cables spray some lubricant down the cables this will stop the winter from stiffining them make sure you get your clutch and gear mechanisms,levers ect.......... trust me better job is done by your self because you need time to spend preparing and cleaning your bike........ ive had some right heap look bikes but they sure looked like a bike thats never been out in the wet which theyu had and were talking 15 years of dirt on some and they looked as good as a 2 year old clean r1 you would see today

[john]

Hey how about doing an article for the site ? (I was going to do one on cleaning your chain a few months ago but I haven't actually got around to cleaning my chain yet...)

main issue with pressure washers is that they blow grit and crap into seals and force water into electrical gubbins and nooks and crannies that normally wouldn't get that heavily exposed to water.

For this reason I would avoid pressure washing brakes, forks, chain, wheel hubs, headstock area, rear shock and linkage, headlights, clocks/handlebars and any exposed wiring....

If you follow Clints advice and loosen the dirt well with a degreasant there really isn't too much need for high pressure water to rinse it all off anyway, just agitate with a brush as your rinsing.

Oh and best take your bike for a ride immediately after washing it so everything gets dried out nicely, especially the brakes otherwise they are likely to corrode faster if left wet and cold.

I've also heard that using a leaf blower is an effective way of drying your bike though I've never tried it myself !

[Biker Biker]

YES PLEASE DO A REGULAR SLOT ON THIS KINDA STUFF!!!!!

This is exactly what I need to know.

I know how to clean a bike chain safely but I don't know how frequently it needs doing or what it looks like when its in need of a clean.  

The lubrication for the clutch and throttle cables is that WD40?  And do I just squirt a bit using the red attachment in the black cabel cover? Or is there a better technique.

Thanks!!!

[Mikey]

Quote (john @ Dec. 06 2006,08:43)

Hey how about doing an article for the site ?

Good idea

Yes BB use WD40 with the red straw Get to each end of the cable When i mean presure wash Its on the lowest powert setting u could always use your hose but i have a habbit of using presure washer

Yes BB use WD40 with the red straw Get to each end of the cable When i mean presure wash Its on the lowest powert setting u could always use your hose but i have a habbit of using presure washer

[Tino]

I just found out today there is a guy in Herne Hill, that does bike cleaning, Antonio used them today, they did a thorough job on his bike and charged him £6 for it. I may become a regular customer there.

[scorps]

one thing when washing ya bike, USE COLD WATER! if you use hot water it disolves the salt , when it drys it leaves a salty residue on the bike car ect.
I normally use a mild detergent like fuchs off or similar, wet the bike first, dont spray it on without rinsing the bike first, then brush all the hard stubborn stains, then hose off I then use a garden leaf hoover on blow to dry the bike.
after i usually spray wd 40 on the clocks and wiring and leave for ten mins then wipe off with a soft cloth (make sure you dont get this on the discs).
after that i normally polish if you see a (auto smart van) on your travels stop him and buy some new image polish it doesnt dry white and you can go over all your plastics and rubbers and its not very abrasive and lasts well
to finish i normally oil the chain and cables you can buy special cable oilers and also check levers for grease

the main thing in keeping ya bike clean is if you get home and its covered in muck rinse it off with a hose ,you dont have to wash it then, just enough to get the worse off till you do wash it .

OH AND THE BIGGEST THING TRY NOT TO PUT A WET BIKE AWAY IN A GARAGE LET IT DRY FIRST IF YOU CAN. (one of the worse things to get rust. as it doesnt dry and water lays in rust prone areas. )

new image polish

cable oiler

[john]

Quote

I then use a garden leaf hoover on blow to dry the bike

cool, I thought it was just a rumour that you could do that, does it work well ?

[scorps]

yeh its like leaving the bike out in the wind soon drys it  i used to use  a compressor but that blows to hard and water ends up in the switchgear bit like pressure washing but the black and decker garden hoover is more gentle

[john]

co-incidentally I have lots of leaves in the garden so my justification for a leaf blower now seems irrefutable '>