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[RayG]

For the last 3 summers I have used my shop air compressor to blow the water off the bike after washing it.  I'm carefull not to put the air pressure too high (120psi @ tank) but since its about 60 feet away there is some loss of pressure but it seems to be working out OK. On occasion I have to wait for the tank to fill up if I keep it on for to long but it does work especially well at the hand controls and other tight spots that are hard to reach.  I want to make sure I don't screw anything up so I did a search for additional info but didn't locate anything alarming.  The only negative issue I have run into was when the tank picked up moisture from hot humid days and I was actually blowing water out of the nozzle, now I check the tank and drain if needed.  I have used soft white linen cloth's to blow the air through on occasion to make sure I'm not passing any oil through the line. I have a desiccant filter that I use when I spray poly on small wood projects but I would have to much pressure drop to use it for the drying.  Should I continue as is or is the warm air blower I see advertised the way to go?

Thanks

Ray G

[Boatman]

I use the same method as you then wipe with a microfibre cloth.  Many use leaf blowers.  The warm air blowers are probably what we should use.  As you know, the compressors can blow oil mist, water, or rust from the tank.  Air blowers can blow dirt.  I'm going to keep what I am doing until I am convinced otherwise.  FWIW..

[gaphatty]

I use one of the Metro Air Force machines (small one with hose) - I worry about the moisture that sometimes collects in the air tank even with a dryer.  I don't know if the warm air really helps but it does seem to do a better job on the chrome and little bitty parts - the soft nozzle on the Metro hose protects you from an oops.

[JCZ]

Ideally it should have a moisture trap at the minamum.

Don't know of anybody that's using a leaf blower.......I'd think they'd only do that once.  Or they don't really care about the gloss finish on their bike.

I'm a knuckle head.....kind of have the attitude that Boatman expressed (had to be shown).  A few months back had occassion to be at a friends and see first hand the difference.  I now have the Air Force dryer and use it on both bikes, the car and the trucks.......cuts the time in half.

[Hugh Janis]

I wax it the next day

[guppytrash]

Don't know of anybody that's using a leaf blower.......I'd think they'd only do that once.  Or they don't really care about the gloss finish on their bike.

Uhhhh... Welll..... maybe I should not admit to it, but, I use a leaf blower... if it is any consolation my bikes have always been very shiny.
Mostly accused of being to shiny by riding buddies. 

My only comment is that too much air pressure focused too close to the bike could have the same ill effect as pressure washing too close.  I have talked to many HD techs that spend time fixing problems created by pressure washing.  That being said, IMHOP all of these techniques can be safely used if some common sense is applied.




   

[LarryB]

Get a Airshammy. works great. 120 bucs. we get a discount. airshammy.com. get the ph # and call the guy.
dont use a compressor

[hard10]

I was surprised by how many compliments I got on how good the paint looked on my bike. Several people asked what product I used (Glare).

[2k]

I've used a leaf blower for years, never had anything but air hit the bike.

[Fired00d]

Another one here that uses a leaf blower and I'd put my bike (finish) up to any that don't and I think I'm probably more anal then most about detailing and taking care of my bike.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[spydglide]

I wipe mine down by hand and then ride it dry.  Sometimes have to touch-up small areas of drip-traces if I go too fast.   har.   spyder

[grc]

I doubt I would use a compressor unless I had no other option.  The "oilless" versions might be OK, assuming you get all the moisture and rust and dirt drained out of the tank, but the volume of air is going to be rather low unless you have an industrial setup.  As for the leaf blower, might be fine right up until the time it picks up some type of debris like sand and peppers your paint job.  May never happen, but without a filtered air intake I wouldn't trust it.  And it tends to be a little unwieldy trying to get into tight spots.

If you have a shop vac, see if it has an exhaust port that you can attach a hose to.  If you attach a 1-1/4" hose to the exhaust port of a vac, and add a crevice tool as a nozzle, you will have higher volume but lower pressure air that is filtered by the vacuum bag and warmed a little by the motor.  Similar to those specialty bike dryers, without the expense (except for the hose, I recommend a dedicated hose for drying rather than using the one you use to suck up dirt and debris).  I've been doing it this way with my Craftsman shop vac for ages, and it works every bit as well as the dedicated bike dryers.


Jerry

[kraut]

very nice for bearings etc 

[Fired00d]

I doubt I would use a compressor unless I had no other option.  The "oilless" versions might be OK, assuming you get all the moisture and rust and dirt drained out of the tank, but the volume of air is going to be rather low unless you have an industrial setup.  As for the leaf blower, might be fine right up until the time it picks up some type of debris like sand and peppers your paint job.  May never happen, but without a filtered air intake I wouldn't trust it.  And it tends to be a little unwieldy trying to get into tight spots.

If you have a shop vac, see if it has an exhaust port that you can attach a hose to.  If you attach a 1-1/4" hose to the exhaust port of a vac, and add a crevice tool as a nozzle, you will have higher volume but lower pressure air that is filtered by the vacuum bag and warmed a little by the motor.  Similar to those specialty bike dryers, without the expense (except for the hose, I recommend a dedicated hose for drying rather than using the one you use to suck up dirt and debris).  I've been doing it this way with my Craftsman shop vac for ages, and it works every bit as well as the dedicated bike dryers.


Jerry

Speaking of those... if you want to save a few dollars go to a pet supply store and get a pet dryer (kind they use to dry dogs/cats) it's the same thing and w/o "Motorcycle" in the name they are a lot cheaper.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Fired00d]

Speaking of the above... look familiar??...

Metro Two Speed Air Force Commander Dryer - Model FTD-1 Price: $126.95

Product Number: 81335 
Description:
A powerful floor/table dryer with two-speed performance, allowing you to groom large or small breeds with one dryer. This lightweight dryer is so powerful you'll forget it's portable. Other features include: an easy change filter and dual mounted legs that allow it to be used vertically or horizontally. You'll particularly like the job it does on heavy-coated breeds. The Commander dries the hair without drying out the coat. 1.17 peak H.P., 6 foot flexible hose with air flow control, air concentrator, air flare and groomer rake.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Fired00d]

Or maybe you like the handheld version..

Metro Air Force Quick Draw compact & portable hand held dryer QD-1 Sale Price: $88.77

You'll never be caught off guard with the Metro Air Force Quick Draw Air Dryer in your grooming shop! This portable, powerful dryer is strong enough to dry long-haired dogs in minutes, yet small enough to take on the road with you. Features a lightweight yet durable steel body, a six-foot hose with air flow control, and a 12-foot power cord for extra mobility. Includes a shoulder strap, air concentrator blower, air flare, and a table mounting hook. The Quick Draw dryer comes with a one year manufacturer's warranty.

Specifications

•Air Volume: 85 CFM
•Air Speed: 18,000 FPM
•Heat: Warm Air (no heating element)
•Motor: 1.3 HP
•Amps: 8
•Watts: 950
•Volts: 120

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[LarryB]

http://www.airshammy.com/

[Bikerdude1018]

I've always used a leaf blower, with no problems thus far.

[hayabura]

thank you

air dryer
vacuum pump

[xsdbs]

I've used a leaf blower for years, never had anything but air hit the bike.

Same here, I have a "dedicated" leaf blower only used to dry motorcycles/cars.
It's the best way (for me) to get all the water out of all the "nooks and crannies".   
I store it in a small plastic tote to keep it clean from dust and dirt.

[senorjeem]

  Looks to me like the Air Shammy has the best setup.....BSR is doing the work!!

[dlaws01]

I'm sorry but I'm sure you have just voided your warranty using compressed air to dry you bike.   

[SGME9]

I have been using a leaf blower for several years. No sand blasting has ever happened.

[ridefar]

Been using the large Metro unit for several years with great results. The blower comes with multiple tips in order to direct the air concentration to your liking. Its nice to direct air into and around switches and small electrical connections. Would not trust myself with 120+psi of shop air blowing water off the bike.

[2013SERG]

Stihl handheld leaf blower user here

[Candy Cobalt]

Uhhhh... Welll..... maybe I should not admit to it, but, I use a leaf blower... if it is any consolation my bikes have always been very shiny.
Mostly accused of being to shiny by riding buddies.  

My only comment is that too much air pressure focused too close to the bike could have the same ill effect as pressure washing too close.  I have talked to many HD techs that spend time fixing problems created by pressure washing.  That being said, IMHOP all of these techniques can be safely used if some common sense is applied.

What`s the ill effect? How you describe it? How HD techs are fixing the problems? This maybe sounds stupid question but I never pressure wash my bike so don`t know. 

[Candy Cobalt]

Is it washing bike that causes corrosion in the gas tank?

I see a tiny rusty point when I remove my gas cap. It`s not inside the tank, but right there where`s no paint anymore..

[FlaHeatWave]

I'm a compressor guy myself...

[TinSpinner]

I would never consider using high pressure air to dry my bike, too many places you can blow water into that aren't sealed properly for that much pressure. In my line of work, I own a manufacturing company, we use compressed air extensively. Occasionally an ill trained operator will blow air and debris into places it shouldn't be and it has caused considerable damage to expensive machinery. With so many other options that are safer, both for the bike and the user, compressed air would be my last choice.

[grc]

What`s the ill effect? How you describe it? How HD techs are fixing the problems? This maybe sounds stupid question but I never pressure wash my bike so don`t know. 

High pressures, be they from the water source or the air dryer, can easily force water and debris into areas where those things should not be, like electrical connectors, bearings, radios and other electronics, etc.  So it has never been a great idea to wash your bike with a high pressure washer, and it also isn't a great idea to blast a concentrated stream of high pressure air at those things either.  Fortunately most of the electrical systems these days are sealed better than the bad ol' days, but you can still force stuff past the seals in the connectors.  And the electronics on the late model bikes are like those in cars, where tiny changes in resistance levels in a circuit can cause error codes and things like electronic throttle controls to default to limp mode.

Jerry

[dlaws01]

Is it washing bike that causes corrosion in the gas tank?

I see a tiny rusty point when I remove my gas cap. It`s not inside the tank, but right there where`s no paint anymore..

Not really sure where you are talking about in the tank but you can help prevent corrosion issues from happening by topping off your fuel tank prior to parking it after a ride.  Especially if your bike sits for any extended periods of time between rides.  There are also some fuel additives available that address moisture in the fuel but again, the best thing is to keep your tank full. 

[spydglide]

The best thing is not to use gasoline blended with ethanol....but we know that's difficult, so maybe a additive is in order, esp. if the gas sits in there for very long.  spyder

[dlaws01]

If you are using ethanol fuel then there is an additive, Starbrite "Star Tron" Enzyme Fuel Treatment that available at most auto parts stores.  I know several people that use it because they don't live near any non-ethanol gas stations.  8oz. bottle treats 128 gallons of gas.  The other thing might be if you have a flush mounted fuel cap then a small bit of water could collect around the cap when you wash your bike and eventually get into the tank if you don't blow it out or soak it up prior to opening the cap.