Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

I remember my first wash. I used a toothbrush and made sure everything was shiny. Later: As long as it's clean enough. Now, during water restrictions: I think I'll just make sure my fork stanchions are clear and my chain is clean and lubed. Don't let your neighbours catch you washing a bike (if you're in Cape Town). I know someone already who almost received a R5000 fine, but got off with a warning.

The easy way (that is illegal at the moment):

1. Spray the bike with a bike cleaner (prepsol, dirt nurse, car shampoo, clean green etc)
2. Let it soak for a few minutes
3. Rinse the bike with a hose/pressure cleaner
4. Blow dry the bike with a blower
5. Polish the shiny bits to add sparkle

I get a lot of mileage cleaning the bike with a microfibre cloth and a bowl of water.  But for big cleans I hook up my rainwater tank to the pressure hose (probably illegal but my neighbours are decent).  A dirty adventure bike is a bike with "houding".

Zanie and Charles,

Thanks for the input. Zanie, I can relate to your diminishing enthusiasm. I started off like that with my car and now it's proudly got "houding" (nod to Charles). 

I should have mentioned that I want to do it without water - I'd rather not turn dust into mud. Still, even though it was only dust it took me an age to clear. Perhaps I need to rig up some form of compressed air hose. 

Cheers

My GS was filthy after the last L1 training ride we did a few weeks ago. Just getting on and off it or brushing past it in the garage made me dirty. My gear was also full of dust from the ride, so I elected to wash all my gear in the washing M/C, then harvested all the grey water and used it to wash the bike (it's already got soap in - probably not the best, but I just added a capful of wash 'n wax).

For rinsing I tap off a few litres of water from my rain tanks and use a pump-type garden pressure sprayer to provide the necessary oomph and that gets the bike pretty clean. Thereafter chamois as normal and apply Mr Min to the shiny bits.

This has now become the mainstream way to wash cars and bikes at home. Grey water for washing, rain water for rinsing.

When High summer comes and the rainwater tanks run dry. I'll have to rethink this. For now I have a reasonably clean bike.

Trevor that sounds great and very efficient. Sadly for me, I live in a block of flats and no rain tanks or such luxuries for me. I have spoken to the Body Corporate about harvesting rain and washing machine water but they say it can't be done. So it's a dry wash with paint brushes for me. At least it will be cleaned at each service. 

Pay up and smile at the car wash centers. The also use recycled water. Just be careful for their power washers. Let them rather only do a hand wash.

Jacques BOTHA

Be careful with grey water from the laundry. Depending on the soap that you use, it may contain salt that may not be good for the bike.

Remember to put up a visible grey water sign when washing a vehicle with grey water. It will hopefully prevent the uninformed neighbour who may be under the impression that you're using drinking water, from reporting you to the authorities.