What's the best way to clean a bike engine? I don't think steam cleaning is a good idea due to the exposed alternator and clutch cylinder input. Is there something I can use to get some good results with just scrubbing?

James

hi mate brake cleaner and once rinsed off silicone tyre spray on a sponge

although Ive fitted new clips etc to this




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[Edited on 9/1/08 by zxrlocost]

spit and a toothbrush

i cleaned my vauxhall engine with a degreaser gun, gunk and the compressor.

toohtbrush and solvol autosol

yeah but what about the fins on an air cooled engine??

I've tried vinegar only to make it ten times worse now it looks right grotty. I think it's the grade of metal being soft and easly stained, I don't want to use anything ruff like a wire brush and don't like black painted engines.

any ideas?

parafin is a good cleaner and desolves grease.

I tried Gunk engine cleaner last time and I am still smelling the stuff months later everytime the engine warms up.

Paraffin seems to be quite good at removing oil and grease but clean alloy engines tend to get a lot of oxide especially during the winter - I find alloy wheel cleaner works quite well.

Ali engines oxidise. There's not much you can do about it unless you're prepared to have a life of polishing.... Each to their own but for me, unless it makes the drive better / more comfortable or makes the engine more powerful I've got better things to do... Then again, maybe one that's why I don't open the bonnet up on the LocoPan much

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
I don't want to use anything ruff like a wire brush and don't like black painted engines.

any ideas?

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