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[johna]

Road grime seems to have baked on like a powdercote
any suggestions on how to remove without scratching the chrome.
I think i may have a major detailing job to do, the bike is a bit of a mess.
Its amazing how much dirt you can collect in 2 days

Thanks

johna

[Indenial]

WOW, sorry no idea. But I want to know what you do and see after pics.

[49445CVO]

Same here.  I think I would try and use the wet towels and leave them on the surface for awhile to loosen it up

[Twolanerider]

If the road grime you mention is some tar or other asphalt byproduct might also try kerosene.  Won't hurt the paint when washed back off in a reasonable amount of time but will soften up the road yuck if that's what it is.

[LRS]

I have used 0000 Steel Wool on all my Chrome for many years, it does not scratch and removes all signs of Road Grime. 

[Hawg]

What do they have on the roads that leaves that on your pipes?
Looks nasty!!

[Fired00d]

Have you tried just soap (bike wash) and water yet?? If not just start there and see how much comes off before trying anything else.... start off w/the basics and then see what is left.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Wanna ride]

Like Fired00d said, but be sure to use a good quality auto-wash soap, not household detergents. After the soap and water, try some Simple Green. But a couple of precautions first... Make sure the bike is not hot (engine, pipes, etc). Spray it on and let it sit and do it's thing for a couple minutes. Then thoroughly rinse it off with a garden hose. This part's important... do not let it evaporate. It can stain if you do. This might take a couple of applications, and you can use a soft cloth to help wipe it in, using the hose to rinse it all off. I wouldn't suggest using Simple Green on the painted body parts (bags, tour pak, fenders, etc).

Hope this helps.

[49445CVO]

Have you tried just soap (bike wash) and water yet?? If not just start there and see how much comes off before trying anything else.... start off w/the basics and then see what is left.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Good one d00d, I almost never think simple or use the basics.

I second this

[Chains]

What do they have on the raods that leaves that on your pipes?
Looks nasty!!

From the looks of the pipes, the word roads may be a stretch

[guppytrash]

I agree with dood.  The least amount of rubbing the better.. water, S100, more water.
If it is tar try this Turtle wax bug and tar cleaner.  I used it on my truck after coating with tar on a fresh asphalt and it worked fantastic.
http://www.turtlewax.com/img/products/pop_2_1_4_11_1.jpg
I used the bottle on the far right.

[Indenial]

Would WD-40 do anything?

[johna]

Thanks for the hints
The front is an even bigger mess and and I will have to book it in to bike hospital.
I smacked a 160lb + wild pig at about 65mph so while its stripped for repairs and replacement parts I am considering having it done professionally.

The roads look and feel like tar but what is on them i do not have any idea, but mix it with water and thats the result.

The road is south of Lightning Ridge which claims to be what they call the "Outback" a bit rough in parts but generally OK.
Things that matter or splatter are generally pot holes, mud, cattle, horses,sheep,kangaroos,wallabies, goats,wombats, foxes,emu's,owls,night hawks,cats,dogs,rabbits and pigs to name a few.Wild and domesticated the farms don't have fences only the boundry fence

Riding at night out there realy keeps the heart pounding

[Chuck Pryor]

Road grime seems to have baked on like a powdercote
any suggestions on how to remove without scratching the chrome.
I think i may have a major detailing job to do, the bike is a bit of a mess.
Its amazing how much dirt you can collect in 2 days

Thanks

johna

these mufflers are chrome??  wow.

[southtxcruiser]

im really intrested to see the cleaned results and what worked best...