Keeping your engine black and clean, I think I've found a cheap hack.

[Latetsorpa]

Hey there folks!

I know there's already a few topics about that but I though I'd share my experience as I didn't seem to find a topic relating to the product I'm using.

So, thoroughly cleaned my 14 last week, you know that 3-hour long process where you even have to sacrifice your beloved toothbrush? And it doesn't happen very very often since she's my daily commuter and I've been frustrated enough times seeing it rain on the same day... So I've been experiencing with a very easy to find and cheap solution. 

As most of you guys, I am always sad to see the usual deterioration on the finish of my engine (black paint fading to grey, white corrosion spots between the fins, etc) and as I'm planning to have the engine resprayed when I have some spare cash (probably around year 2075), I though I'd take the risk.

So... (drumroll)... I'm simply using... a car cockpit cleaner! (tadaaaaaaaaa!) The one I had on hand was from Arexons, but I guess any other will do. It doesn't leave a thick coating (even if applied generously) and it's not sticky, as mentioned in other topics and it's cheap, around MUR300 a can (USD1 = MUR37, EUR1 = MUR40, roughly). It's paraffine-based, not silicone. I was already using it on the plastic and rubber bits around the bike and then one day I tried on the aluminium reservoirs on the handlebar. I tried it over and over again without seeing any negative effect on the metal, so I then tried it on the engine to see if it would handle the heat without altering anything. So far so good! It'll wash out eventually in the rain without leaving unwanted residue, so the next engine wash is a straight-forward process.

And it doesn't leave a super shiny coating, like mentioned in other topics, it mostly pretty much restores the original finish IMO. I use my cousin's (super clean) K6 14's engine with original finish as a frame of reference.

See pictures below, the one of my engine from the side is the day I washed my bike, the one from the top is 5 days after.

I might appear as a guy who feels like he rediscovered fire here (and it's a bit true ) when someone else might have done it and shared it.
I really love this community as it genuinely feels like a great family, thanks to the everyone that and to the admins striving to keep it a nice place, unlike other forums (mostly supersports bikes) where the ambiance is hindered by competition, ego and "who's got the bigger pair".
I thought I could repay all this good vibes and add my two cents in a constructive way!

Ride safe and keep the 14 living! 

[Notty]

looking good 

[KiwiCol]

Good tip, not that I've ever seen that can down this way.  When are you doing the top coat on the tank? 

[VladTepes]

Car cockpit cleaner?

Anyone know what that translates to here in 'Straya ?


(Please don't say Mr Sheen)

[Latetsorpa]

looking good 

Thanks Notty So good not seeing the grayish fade indeed!

Good tip, not that I've ever seen that can down this way.  When are you doing the top coat on the tank? 

Hehe. I knew that scratch on the tank wouldn't go unnoticed (courtesy of the previous owner). Will soon actually order a brand new tank from Germany/Netherlands in L99 scheme, probably in January if the December money harvest works well 

Car cockpit cleaner?

Anyone know what that translates to here in 'Straya ?


(Please don't say Mr Sheen)

Seems like you and Mr. Sheen have a bit of history Mike! Well Arexons is Italian, IIRC, so they basically speak their own English language
I think their competition also call it "Dashboard Protector", "Interior Shine" and alike. In essence any paraffine-based spray can really. It's used to prevent aging on interior plastics. I guess any other will do 

[Sweaty]

Good job & good of you to take the time to let everyone know.
I'm using the s100 engine brightner, which was also recommended on here. Does a great job too.

I think KiwiCol was being even cheekier than that, and was referring to the actual grey colour  (he's a cheeky boy)  I would never say something like that 

[Latetsorpa]

Thanks for the tip Sweaty, I'll keep an eye out for the S100 when travelling. Mauritius is so late in everything than I can't even find simple things like Autosol or 3M products here... Actually had to buy some Autosol in South Africa during a trip there a couple of months ago!

And yes, now I remember an discussion on paint schemes, and that Col has one of the MUCH FASTER black 14's! 
Mine was actually almost certainly black from factory before the previous owner painted her in a Bandit-like dark metallic grey. I don't really... okay I'll say it... like the black one!  and don't even get me started on the Z version!

[KiwiCol]

That's ok Latetsorpa, lots of people don't like the Blacks.  They're rarer than the Blue n Whites, but not as rare as the primer & clearcoat ones. 

[grog]

Sweaty, any local contacts on s100. Used to get it local but now only o/seas, freight the killer. The Harley stuff works im told, me in a Harley shop? Well no one says much when im in the dress shop, i might be ok😂

[Sweaty]

Grog, I last purchased it from here 2 years ago $19.95 + $9.95 postage
S100 australia
http://www.s100.com.au/
But it does not seem to exist anymore

Latetsorpa, the B&W's are definately the nicest & fastest, especially the K6 scheme 

[KiwiCol]

 

Latetsorpa, the B&W's are definately the nicest & fastest, especially the K6 scheme 

Luckily I've got one of them as well!   

[grog]

Sweaty, best price is now around $40 inc freight. Harley black $25, pick up. Pig Spit also rates but expensive. Guess its a trip to Harley shop.

[Notty]

I used the Harley black and it does work  but Harley riders now wave to me 

[grog]

Im friendly Notty, ill wave back. Does it also mean i can have open end pipe, just annoy the hell out of all humans? Does al the countries you blokes live in have harley epidemic like Oz? They drive me crazy, worst engine noise ever.

[Mick_J]

Love the sound of a Hog, like everything about Harleys apart from riding them.