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[CVOwner]

I need to get the bugs off the jugs! I dont do much in the way of cleaning down there, prefer to do the paint only. But its getting a little oily under the air cleaner and the bugs above the oil cooler are starting to pile up on the fins. What do you suggest, easiest first please. Spray on and walk away sounds good.

[ultrafxr]

WD40.

[hd-dude]

Diluted hydrogen peroxide, spray it on and the bugs disintegrate.

[Chief]

Along the same line, I've always used S-100 Engine Brightener to make the black blacker. That works great on the case and such, but does anyone have a good way to clean between the fins? I'm guessing some sort of brush, but have never seen one that I thought would work well?

Chief

[greglyon]

I need to get the bugs off the jugs! I dont do much in the way of cleaning down there, prefer to do the paint only. But its getting a little oily under the air cleaner and the bugs above the oil cooler are starting to pile up on the fins. What do you suggest, easiest first please. Spray on and walk away sounds good.

Bring it over to Hacienda Harley for service and they will wash it for you at nc! You did say easiest first.
 

[Twolanerider]

Have recently had very good experience with a product called "Pig Spit" for both cleaning and cosmetic effect on the engine.  According the can it's supposed to be good for almost anything.  Have only used it on the engine and it's given excellent service there.  For tough bugs I start with Dude's recommendation above here.  But end with the Pig Spit.

[Midnight Rider]

Have recently had very good experience with a product called "Pig Spit" for both cleaning and cosmetic effect on the engine.  According the can it's supposed to be good for almost anything.  Have only used it on the engine and it's given excellent service there.  For tough bugs I start with Dude's recommendation above here.  But end with the Pig Spit.

Where do you find the Pig Spit, Don?  I've seen the Snot, but not the Spit.  Works well on the silver engine?

[Fired00d]

Where do you find the Pig Spit, Don?  I've seen the Snot, but not the Spit.  Works well on the silver engine?

Try here - Pig Spit.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Twolanerider]

Where do you find the Pig Spit, Don?  I've seen the Snot, but not the Spit.  Works well on the silver engine?

TC, it's the product that Sumax recommended to me as good both on and for powder coat.  But the silver and the black on the engines are also a powder coat.  I've sprayed it on both a black and a silver motor as well as the reamaining silver bits of my own.  Leaves a nice looking finish.  Really been pleasantly surprised with this stuff.  I was lucky enough to find it at a store here locally.  But Dood's link in the prior post will point you in the right direction too.

[Twolanerider]

TC, btw, Pig Spit and Pig Snot don't come from the same animal.  Different mftr's products.  Seems that Pig Spit is a product line that drips out all on it's own.  The stuff for the engine is "The Original Pig Spit."

[Serkcus]

The S100 has worked very well for me, great product. Caution: Do not spray on a hot engine! I use on a cold motor, leave on for  a couple of minutes and wash off. Seems to leave a wet look to black finish thatbugs and dirt doesn't seem to stick so well to.

[DavRex]

I've tried them all. The best item to use on any stubburn stain is Brake cleaner. Non abrasive, every Mechanic uses this when there done servicing your bike. I like Pig Snot also, but for bugs, grease, tar and most stubburn stains always start by using the least abrasive means.

[Glarepro]

GLARE Turbo Action Wheel Cleaner hands down.  Of course coming from me its a biased opinion but then again I have a really good track record so far.  The GLARE Turbo Action Wheel Cleaner is a non acid based formula so its safe for chrome and other parts and its the fastest working around. 

[Tros]

Along the same line, I've always used S-100 Engine Brightener to make the black blacker. That works great on the case and such, but does anyone have a good way to clean between the fins? I'm guessing some sort of brush, but have never seen one that I thought would work well?

Chief

I keep seein' the ad for Pimp Stixxx.  One of these days I'm gonna give'em a try.

http://www.pimpstixxx.com/

[SPIDERMAN]

Gunk and a tooth brush is what I use.

B B

[Jock]

Whats wrong with leaving them on?

 

 

[CVOwner]

Gunk and a tooth brush is what I use.

B B

Yeah, I was hoping there was a better way, old elbow grease is usually the best and only way. I have to take off the lowers and I"ll end up with bleeding knuckles and get blood all over the fins and have to clean that off!

M

[Tros]

Yeah, I was hoping there was a better way, old elbow grease is usually the best and only way. I have to take off the lowers and I"ll end up with bleeding knuckles and get blood all over the fins and have to clean that off!

M

Not if you get these, Red of course.   

[sooiee]

Do this in the shade...S100 and a hose will take the chunks off.  Hint:  while still wet, get a nylon brush with long bristles and brush the jugs and engine areas.
Then hose off with full power and a strong jet type nozzle.  Fire up the leaf blower to dry bike and I'm back riding in 10 minutes. 

[Jbbrown73]

I bought it to ride, not to wash!

[70_GTX]

What ratio do you use on the diluted hydrogen peroxide? A bottle of U.S.P. is 3% active ingredient.

[Rhino]

Good ole brake cleaner. Doesnt hurt nuttin.

Rhino

[Serkcus]

I would be a little hesitant to use brake cleaner on the bike, especially on the engine. IMO I have read that repeated use can cause the surface to oxidize abd bleach if any residue that remains. S100 on a cold engine and washed offf completely after a few minutes works well. I cut up strips from an old chamois to pull through the fin spacings , does not scratch and fairly easy to do. Last bike I traded in, dealer put it in the showroom next to the new ones they had detailed, my well used Classic looked better. But then again we all have our own methods, that's what keeps it interesting.

[REGGAB]

I've always been able to get my jugs clean by liberally spraying them with whatever flavor of ammonia free Windex Renea has laying around, brushing the fins with a soft bristle brush, and then I use copious amounts of rinse water under low pressure.  After drying it off, I'll run it until the engine, primary, and transmission get warm........not hot.  After shut down, I'll spray the whole engine, primary, transmission powdercoat area with armor all and let it sit for about an hour.  Then I wash the bike as normal.  First, It really blings up the powdercoat and brings out the new looking silver we all saw in the showroom, and second, it makes future bug removal easier.  Always works for me.  Same procedure I've always used even with my black powdercoat engines.

[DW6019]

Almost any bug is water soluble. Just soak a towel or rag and lay it over the bugs for a few minutes (Much the same as you do any M/C windshield) and then they easily come off.
Brake cleaner is used by techs, but the techs themselves normally don't take care of there own bikes, and they sure don't care about how mine holds up over time. Brake cleaner is to harsh for any paint, on a regular basis, and Powder Coat (the engine) is Powder Coated. Use it very sparingly if you intend to own the bike a while. It WILL break down the finish slowly and your silver/black will start to dull. Maybe that is why they make engine brightner??