embedded fork oil....

[weasel01]

I'm sure this has been covered before but wondered what current thoughts are on this...
The previous owner of my bike just ran it into the ground...it had badly leaking forks and master cylinder and he just kept pouing the fluid in and letting it spray all over the bike and it probably hasnt had a good cleaning in over 10 years.
I have made the repairs (with your help!) and now have moved on to scrubbing it back into shape.
I have only used SimpleGreen and a nylon brush and it has really cleaned up well except in the texture of the aluminum it's not pitted just deeply embedded road grime and grease.
What can I do to get it off of there?

[Justin B.]

"Greased Lightning" is a very strong cleaner and often the Eagle 1 wheel cleaner (for non-coated wheels) can help bleach out the dark stains.  BUT, the Eagle 1 sometimes causes different castings to take on slightly different shades of grey.  I guess the alloys are different as I have had transmissions turn out darker than engine cases but to me it's preferable to the dark staining...

[ukzknos]

Following a tip from Scott Columbus I cleaned up my casings, forks, etc using a medium grade 'wirewool' (not sure if that translates into American English)  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Following a tip from Scott Columbus I cleaned up my casings, forks, etc using a medium grade 'wirewool' (not sure if that translates into American English)  

If he is suggesting what we here in the U.S. refer to as "steel wool", I think the use of steel wool is discouraged?


I've always heard Simple Green, 3M(?) scrubbing pads, and (too much) elbow grease.....


Now, if you have just too much money, you could buy some of these neat stainless steel detail brushes!!!
http://www.machinerycleanery.com/

[weasel01]

How do things like rubber bits and gaskets/seals etc.... react to the more aggressive cleaners.?

I've read that steel wool leaves little fibers that are very tough to get off and what wont come off rusts and stains the aluminum.

 ukzknos did you encounter any of this?

I've been using the simple green scotchbrite pad nylon brush and my elbow is ready for a repack of grease at this point

 I've hit the glass ceiling with my current method.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I have learned to embrace the "patina" and leave the shiny bikes to the "other guys"...

[Bob_Roller]

On the  oilhead bikes, there is no bare aluminum on the bike, everything is painted .

When I had my transmission rebuilt 2 years ago, I was asked if I wanted the transmission case glass bead blasted, my comment was, it's taken 27 years to look like this, you don't mess with perfection .

I can understand your wanting to get bike to look presentable again, but using abrasives on bare aluminum will probably wear you out before you're satisfied.

Bare aluminum does what aluminum does best, tarnish, and turn gray .

American Airlines doesn't paint it's aircraft, they polish each aircraft about every 3 weeks, but if they did, they could reduce the manpower in their cleaning department by 50 % .

[weasel01]

Rob, I can dig it too....
Just kinda obsessing on it cause it was soooooooo bad when I got it.

[MrRiden]

On a cold engine try a bit of parifin or a commercial engine cleaner. Read the label though some are not meant for use on aluminum bits. Scrub with a nylon brush, Follow up with soapy water and a scrub. Rinse carefully and dry. It won't be perfect but better.
rich

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Rob, I can dig it too....
Just kinda obsessing on it cause it was soooooooo bad when I got it.

I understand.  A bike that has been abused can get really nasty.

[Ed Miller]

I have learned to embrace the "patina" and leave the shiny bikes to the "other guys"...

[smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[montmil]

...American Airlines doesn't paint it's aircraft, they polish each aircraft about every 3 weeks, but if they did, they could reduce the manpower in their cleaning department by 50%.

Sidebar & off-topic to cleaning BMW aluminum:

I've watched AA folks paint the red and blue trim on brand new Boeings at the Alliance (Texas) acceptance facility. They use paint rollers! Guessing some sort of epoxy paint that self-levels as it cures.

I once knew the amount of weight saving by deleting full paint on the birds, but have forgotten. Less weight equals better performance and less fuel burn. The labor costs to polish are offset by the performance gains, less fuel required and more paying customers.

A certain amount of patina on the BMW gives street cred to the rider. The anti-thesis to a trailer queen harley rider.