Topic: Cleaning under the side covers??? (Read 5329 times)

JDLEE · « **on:** March 26, 2009, 02:19:31 PM »

Curious how others clean under the side covers. Recently did some wiring work and didn't realize how dirty it was under the side covers. Concerned about using water in this area, but just wiping it down with a cloth wasn't satisfactory.

?

Boatman · « **Reply #1 on:** March 26, 2009, 05:09:52 PM »

I wash the side covers when they are off and just lightly wipe the areas with the wiring under the covers. As you stated, it can be pretty dirty under there with road dust and belt dust. Not much you can do to clean under there-just don't look.

GregKhougaz · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2009, 05:54:11 PM »

Wipe under side covers with not too wet towel or damp towel and pledge.... works fine.

fourstar · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2009, 05:56:43 PM »

I've only done this once in 4K miles, but I hit it with the hose and blew out all of the excess water with compressed air. I'm sure there are lots of opinions on this but the electrical connectors are reasonably water tight. It's about like spraying water under the hood of your car. As long as you don't get carried away you should be okay.

spydglide · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2009, 08:01:31 PM »

Quote from: fourstar on March 26, 2009, 05:56:43 PM

I've only done this once in 4K miles, but I hit it with the hose and blew out all of the excess water with compressed air. I'm sure there are lots of opinions on this but the electrical connectors are reasonably water tight. It's about like spraying water under the hood of your car. As long as you don't get carried away you should be okay.

:nervous:Not me, I'd rather have cobwebs in there.

har! spyder

Fired00d · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2009, 08:58:29 PM »

Quote from: fourstar on March 26, 2009, 05:56:43 PM

I've only done this once in 4K miles, but I hit it with the hose and blew out all of the excess water with compressed air. I'm sure there are lots of opinions on this but the electrical connectors are reasonably water tight. It's about like spraying water under the hood of your car. As long as you don't get carried away you should be okay.

When I detail mine I've done about the same... taken the covers off, and washed what is under them like every other part of the bike..... rinse.... blow dry... and go. I have made sure that any electrical plugs had covers/caps in place. If you've ever been caught in a frog choking rain I'd bet you a doughnut to a dollar that there has been water behind those covers.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

spydglide · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2009, 09:11:32 PM »

Quote from: Fired00d on March 26, 2009, 08:58:29 PM

When I detail mine I've done about the same... taken the covers off, and washed what is under them like every other part of the bike..... rinse.... blow dry... and go. I have made sure that any electrical plugs had covers/caps in place. If you've ever been caught in a frog choking rain I'd bet you a doughnut to a dollar that there has been water behind those covers.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d
:fireman:Maybe not, but if you ever pull your bike on a open trailer in heavy rain on a interstate for any distance, you'll get water everywhere. Even inside the speedo on a softtail.......don't ask me how I know 'cause I'll never admit to 'trailering'. har! spyder

REGGAB · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2009, 11:29:14 PM »

Simple. Remove the covers. Wipe them clean. Remove the fuse block covers and wipe the covers clean. Clean the fuse blocks the best you can. Stuff a damp rag behind the left fuse panel and get your hand in there to wipe that area down. Too easy.

JDLEE · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2009, 10:59:44 PM »

Appreciate all the ideas and comments.......................

REGGAB · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2009, 08:34:49 PM »

Quote from: JDLEE on March 27, 2009, 10:59:44 PM

Appreciate all the ideas and comments.......................

Between me, Chip, Gary, and Spydy.........we have plenty of other bike cleaning secrets........but be warned........in this instance, OCD does not mean "Obsessive Chrome Disorder."

It is, however, a happy sickness one need not worry over. The satisfaction is quite fulfilling.

Henry

spydglide · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2009, 08:42:55 PM »

Satisfaction......yes. Just came in from a 'bout' with the glare and the huckleberry. Puts a smile on my face that I can see in the shine.

har! :drink:spyder

REGGAB · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:24:35 PM »

The Spyder is the most qualified individual on this forum.......and all others for that matter.......to give dissertation on this disorder. It really is a good thing........right Spydy?

Fired00d · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:29:20 PM »

Disorder?? What disorder?? I think it's a natural/beautiful thing.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

REGGAB · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:35:47 PM »

Quote from: Fired00d on March 28, 2009, 09:29:20 PM

Disorder?? What disorder?? I think it's a natural/beautiful thing.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

You are correct, Sir. I yield to your wisdom. What was I thinking?

We're "normal."

spydglide · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:54:12 PM »

Quote from: HML on March 28, 2009, 09:35:47 PM

We're "normal."

yes.

most definitely.

har!

spyder

REGGAB · « **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2009, 10:29:08 PM »

Quote from: spydglide on March 28, 2009, 09:54:12 PM

yes. most definitely. har! spyder

1abastarsmda · « **Reply #16 on:** March 29, 2009, 06:13:24 PM »

I take the covers off to clean and just hit the back side of the cover with some cleaner of any sort and a damp cloth. As far as everything covered by those covers, I just take a damp rag and clean up the area as best as possible, but I don't really want to get that area real wet. I don't think you will ever keep that area clean, and keeping it maintained from a buildup of crud may be about the best you can do without going overboard. Face it, that area has covers on it and you cannot see it. I already feel anal, just because I remove them to clean in there in the first place. At least I now know that I'm not the only one to do this.

Sklywag · « **Reply #17 on:** March 29, 2009, 07:23:34 PM »

Not really any different than under th hood of a car. I pull off the side covers, & the seat every time I completely wash the MC, like once a month. I spray S100 every where, into all the nooks & crannys, all over the wiring, let it soak, wash it out with the hose connected to the hot water facuet. Rince it out with lots of hot water. Then I use my 140mph leaf blower to blow out all the water, do it real good before I ever start the MC.

No problems in 3 years of doing it. I do the same thing on both the SE & the Sportster.

REGGAB · « **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2009, 07:48:09 PM »

Quote from: 1abastarsmda on March 29, 2009, 06:13:24 PM

I take the covers off to clean and just hit the back side of the cover with some cleaner of any sort and a damp cloth. As far as everything covered by those covers, I just take a damp rag and clean up the area as best as possible, but I don't really want to get that area real wet. I don't think you will ever keep that area clean, and keeping it maintained from a buildup of crud may be about the best you can do without going overboard. Face it, that area has covers on it and you cannot see it. I already feel anal, just because I remove them to clean in there in the first place. At least I now know that I'm not the only one to do this.

Please trust me: You have no grounds to feel anal.

When you remove the covers and clean the inside of the covers the same way you clean the outside; when you remove fuse blocks, remove covers from fuse blocks, clean the covers and the fuse blocks the same way you clean the visible areas of the bike; when you clean the frame (inboard and outboard) to which the fuse blocks attach; when you remove the CC unit, clean it, and the frame to which it mounts; when you remove the ECM mount and the ECM and security siren from the mount, clean those items and the frame to which they mount...............you're just about to step over to the ChipGaryHenry darkside.

SneakyPete · « **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2009, 07:50:17 PM »

I powerwash mine like rest of bike, no problems and squeaky clean!

Fired00d · « **Reply #20 on:** March 29, 2009, 07:50:27 PM »

Quote from: HML on March 29, 2009, 07:48:09 PM

Please trust me: You have no grounds to feel anal. When you remove the covers and clean the inside of the covers the same way you clean the outside; when you remove fuse blocks, remove covers from fuse blocks, clean the covers and the fuse blocks the same way you clean the visible areas of the bike; when you clean the frame (inboard and outboard) to which the fuse blocks attach; when you remove the CC unit, clean it, and the frame to which it mounts; when you remove the ECM mount and the ECM and security siren from the mount, clean those items and the frame to which they mount...............you're just about to step over to the ChipGaryHenry darkside.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

SBB · « **Reply #21 on:** March 29, 2009, 08:14:12 PM »

Quote from: HML on March 29, 2009, 07:48:09 PM

Please trust me: You have no grounds to feel anal. When you remove the covers and clean the inside of the covers the same way you clean the outside; when you remove fuse blocks, remove covers from fuse blocks, clean the covers and the fuse blocks the same way you clean the visible areas of the bike; when you clean the frame (inboard and outboard) to which the fuse blocks attach; when you remove the CC unit, clean it, and the frame to which it mounts; when you remove the ECM mount and the ECM and security siren from the mount, clean those items and the frame to which they mount...............you're just about to step over to the ChipGaryHenry darkside.

Screamin · « **Reply #22 on:** March 29, 2009, 08:30:04 PM »

Side covers come off

LarryB · « **Reply #23 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:31:41 PM »

Now I have heard everything. I do a very good cleaning job but good grief. Fudge me, I gotta go out to the garage now and clean these Gosh Darn side covers. Thanks, I'll get you back.
But first, i need to filter the air in my tires

1abastarsmda · « **Reply #24 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:37:56 PM »

Quote from: LarryB on March 29, 2009, 09:31:41 PM

Now I have heard everything. I do a very good cleaning job but good grief. Fudge me, I gotta go out to the garage now and clean these Gosh Darn side covers. Thanks, I'll get you back.
But first, i need to filter the air in my tires

It's a sad day here on the forum. After gaining all of this respect here, you come out of the closet and tell us you don't take your side covers off to clean. I just don't know how to deal with this shocking piece of news. Please tell us it just isn't so.

LarryB · « **Reply #25 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:43:23 PM »

Can't think of one funny thing to say here.

SBB · « **Reply #26 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:44:33 PM »

Quote from: LarryB on March 29, 2009, 09:31:41 PM

Now I have heard everything. I do a very good cleaning job but good grief. Fudge me, I gotta go out to the garage now and clean these Gosh Darn side covers. Thanks, I'll get you back.
But first, i need to filter the air in my tires

OMG Larry!
You running unfiltered air in your tires?
Wait till Rick C hears about this.
GEEEEZZZZZZZZ I'm devastated.

LarryB · « **Reply #27 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:49:02 PM »

whoa there, I would never think of using unfiltered air, but as the 500 mile mark has passed since last filtration, I felt a need to re-filter. You know, evacuate, store, filter, re-store, chemical wash, re-store, compress, inject.
Man, sounds like last nite.

1abastarsmda · « **Reply #28 on:** March 30, 2009, 01:08:53 AM »

Quote from: LarryB on March 29, 2009, 09:49:02 PM

whoa there, I would never think of using unfiltered air, but as the 500 mile mark has passed since last filtration, I felt a need to re-filter. You know, evacuate, store, filter, re-store, chemical wash, re-store, compress, inject.
Man, sounds like last nite.

All you need is this seasonal tire air http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=45

LarryB · « **Reply #29 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:08:17 AM »

funny site

1abastarsmda · « **Reply #30 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:10:31 AM »

Quote from: LarryB on March 30, 2009, 06:08:17 AM

funny site

I got a kick out of the butt dyno

DW6019 · « **Reply #31 on:** May 04, 2009, 06:22:21 PM »

Wash under side covers just like EVERY other part of the bike, do rinse with shower nozzle vs pressure then blow and dry normally. Did you ever ride in the rain? A few years ago we rode 480 miles in a downpour, water literally ran out of the side covers when we stopped. When I cleaned it that time I blew everything out dryed it and sprayed a little radio shack contact cleaner/lube in the connectors and rode on. Have over a 100K with no problems from side cover cleanliness.

spydglide · « **Reply #32 on:** May 04, 2009, 10:03:53 PM »

Quote from: DW6019 on May 04, 2009, 06:22:21 PM

Wash under side covers just like EVERY other part of the bike, do rinse with shower nozzle vs pressure then blow and dry normally. Did you ever ride in the rain? A few years ago we rode 480 miles in a downpour, water literally ran out of the side covers when we stopped. When I cleaned it that time I blew everything out dryed it and sprayed a little radio shack contact cleaner/lube in the connectors and rode on. Have over a 100K with no problems from side cover cleanliness.

hey DW, you got over 100k miles on the Cherry?

spyder

DICKW · « **Reply #33 on:** May 22, 2009, 07:08:03 AM »

I always wash behind those covers when I do a "Bags off" cleaning, I use a paint brush and just go to town on it. You'd be surprised how well a paint brush works on a scoot. The bike is suppose to be waterproof and until proven otherwise I try to keep mine clean after a good run.
Harley is responsible for the water tightness of these bikes during the warranty period.....let them worry about it.

lee champion · « **Reply #34 on:** May 22, 2009, 09:16:36 AM »

OK that does it! Going to leave work and go home and "detail" my serk! All ya'lls fault if i get terminated! Already one stolen grocery cart away from homeless with 3 kids at auburn

Author Topic: Cleaning under the side covers??? (Read 5329 times)

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