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Iron Butt
Posts: 803
Perry Hall, MD | OK, I'm ready for all of the notes about just ride and if it happens to rain consider it washed. Unfortunately I do waste some perfectly good time washing the bike when I could be riding instead.
Any hints on a fast and easy, but effective way to clean the Gatlins? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | I took mine off mid-summer and detailed them and it was still a pita. I mean taking them off was easy, less than 10 minutes, but getting them to look new took quite a while. I've been pondering using vinegar to clean them next time, just wondering if there is any chance of discoloring the finish.
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Tourer
Posts: 412
Fargo, ND |
15 seconds per Gatlin Tip to keep them in tip top shape and you with a smile on your face knowing everyone you pass is saying..."My, look at his sparkling clean Gatlin Tips!"
1) Go to Walmart.
2) Buy a can of 'Super Tech Brake Parts Cleaner'
3) Go Home. 4) Spray the Brake Parts Cleaner on a micro fiber towel. 5) Wipe the end of each exhaust tip off. 6) Put the microfiber towel with the Parts Cleaner on the shelf for next time. There you have it! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 803
Perry Hall, MD | That's what I'm looking for - Thanks. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Liquid chrome polish and an old rag, cleans them right up. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | I use 00 (fine) steel wool. |
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Tourer
Posts: 323
Troy, NY | I used the Simply Green concentrated spray and it took off most of the black soot with just wiping with a paper towel. I still need to get some of the heavily stained areas. I have used brake cleaner and it was okay. I didn't try the Super Tech stuff. I going to try the Super Tech stuff and fine steel wool to clean them up. Then afterwards I'm going to put the Pig Spit on them. This might make it easier for the next cleaning. I'll keep you posted...
Edited by adirondacks 2010-11-25 12:16 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Lehigh Valley, Pa | ScoreBo - 2010-11-25 12:54 PM
I use 00 (fine) steel wool.
I went one step further and used a brillo pad. Spotless |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | +1 on the use of chrome cleaner. I've been using it for 3 years now and it works fine as long as I take some time and get into all the little areas that are a PITA. My problem is I only have about 6 miles to get to work so the engine doesn't get real wram so it tends to run a bit rich and mess up the tips. Anytime I do a "good ride" of a couple hundred miles I never have a problem with soot.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 127
OHIO | SOS pad, and use it on the entire exhaust system. |
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Tourer
Posts: 329
scotts valley, California | What kind of gattlin tips are you guys using? ALL of the exhaust goes through the tubes (barrels). The outsides of the barrels stay pretty sharp just with an occasional wipe off with a microfiber rag. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | Do the chemical cleanings remove the light brown yellowing? I know the fine steel wool does. Take about 5 minutes.
Edited by ScoreBo 2010-11-25 4:25 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 255
New Brunswick , Canada | GUNK engine cleaner ..spray on a rag and wipe...works like a charm.. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 27
| Be careful with the brake cleaner. It is nasty to paint. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Fargo, ND | Denatured alcohol on a microfiber also takes it off very easily. Can't believe anyone would scratch their exhaust chrome up with steel wool or brillo pads. I got tired of cleaning the black off of mine. I took them off, masked the chrome outer surface and powder coated the part the turns black with flat black. Problem solved. |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| Some carb and brake cleaners can make Phosgene gas when heated. Phosgene gas is very poisonous, and has the potential to kill you. DO NOT USE IT ON A HOT SURFACE OR ONE THAT CAN HEAT UP without reading the safety warning labels on the product!!! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Simple Green, let it soak, little scrub with a 'kitchen scratch pad', done. ( I don't know what the hell they're called. They are green, stiff fiber material.) |
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Cruiser
Posts: 101
Cold Lake Alberta Canada | DISH WASHER, spray with simple green and the pots and pan cycle bottom shelf, whipe with micro fibre cloth.
May want to let mother go shopping or to a movie,LOL. |
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Tourer
Posts: 366
Albuquerque, NM | I've tried brake/carb cleaner with a toothbrush. I had some Masters Formula cleaner and sealant for my wheels so I tried the cleaner on the fluted tips. Wipes off the carbon very easily with no scrubbing. Wipe on/wipe off. |
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Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | S1L2=a small dome to wipe. No little dinky places to get into. Then ride. :0) |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | I also have the S1L2 Exhaust. After the first 2500 miles I have never cleaned it.
It now has a carbon black finish on the dome and inside the shield and I like it that way.
Ride Safe |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | radioteacher - 2010-11-29 1:06 PM
I also have the S1L2 Exhaust. After the first 2500 miles I have never cleaned it.
It now has a carbon black finish on the dome and inside the shield and I like it that way.
Ride Safe
RT, I like the way you think.  |
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Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | I have the little woman do my small dome and inside the shield and I like it that way too. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| You guys sure do like working hard,lol..... Westley tire bleach, spray it on, let it sit a few minutes and rinse the tips off. You might need to use a sponge to get it spotless....
Oh and it makes tire cleaning and brake dust removal a breeze as well |
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Cleaning the Gatlin Tips