Washing the bike without running water

[mealexme]

As per title really.

I bought the bike months ago and I've been treating it with scotoiler FS 365 or whatever its called to prevent rust. It says to use on a clean or dirty bike as it nuetulises salt etc.

 

It seems to wash off as soon as it rains though, so I want to give the bike a good wash and use a different rust preventing product.

I've got some heavy duty cleaner, but no way of rinsing it off because I live in a flat with no running water.

 

How does everyone without access to a hose rinse the bike off?

 

I don't want to use the waterless wash stuff, because I really want to get into everywhere and remove road salt etc

Edited December 3, 2023 by mealexme

[Davidtav]

Take it to a car wash?

[V650]

I assume that by having no running water you mean you don't have access to a hosepipe ? as opposed to you don't have access to water

 

When I am washing my bike out in the front garden I use a plastic basin with some water and washing up liquid and a sponge

I use a watering can to rinse it off afterwards  ( sure you could get a basin and watering can in the pound shop )

I know some do not like to use washing up liquid as it has salt in it but i'm not that bothered 

 

Sometimes I will get out the hosepipe and run it down the side of the house and give the bike a good wash but 9 times out of ten I just use the basin and watering can 

Edited December 3, 2023 by V650

[fullscreenaging]

As above. Big bucket of hot water and a sponge. Couple of big buckets of clean lukewarm water to rinse. 
 

You can buy waterless wash for cleaning in between the big washes. I found this prolongs the big washes unless it gets really filthy 
 

Here’s an example. 
 

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/524006

 

Go through the site though if you choose to buy from SBS

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by fullscreenaging

[Stu]

Try one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166011683478?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=xghujmhlrkg&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=rZXY7fpBQhi&var=465515935694&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[mealexme]

I've never been to the carwash with the bike as I've heard they're not good for bikes with exposed electrics and it already has enough electrical gremlins. Also, it's an old bike with some flaking paint.

 

And yes, I did mean I don't have a hose pipe

 

I did think about just rinsing with a bucket of water (that's what I do with the car) but I want to get under the bike to clean it properly and I want to make sure everything is rinsed off before I put some (admitadly overdue) winter protection on her

 

I'll probably get one of those hand pressure washers, cheers Stu

[Stu]

Do you have a way to store water somewhere? 

 

Could you use a water butt? You could even plumb it in to the drain pipes and use rainwater if you would be allowed to 

 

A lot of jet washers will run off a water butt 

 

A jet wash won't hurt a bike either despite what the others claim 

[Gerontious]

Shame you can't get to Southampton. about £80 will get the entire job done for you.

 

https://allyearbiker.co.uk/

[daveinlim]

I used to use the two bucket to clean my bike and car.

I bought a work hydroshot recently and it made it much easier. It's battery powered and pumped water from my bucket.

[Capt Sisko]

+1 for those basic pump up pressure wash thingies. As for a bucket & sponge, it's how we all did it for decades before snow foam made it all high tech.

[Throttled]

On 03/12/2023 at 10:02, Stu said:

Try one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166011683478?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=xghujmhlrkg&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=rZXY7fpBQhi&var=465515935694&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

 

I found those hand pump things were not up to the job during the winter months.

[daveinlim]

This is mine, battery powered. Did a good job without proper power washer pressure to worry about

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WG620E-2-Cordless-Hydroshot-Portable/dp/B07Y5GPJMY/ref=asc_df_B07Y5GPJMY/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=430933650865&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10895744284297735976&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046080&hvtargid=pla-907825900294&psc=1&mcid=f57b1496f7df36689630d8db468900ca&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=104090655830&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=430933650865&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10895744284297735976&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046080&hvtargid=pla-907825900294

[Davidtav]

9 hours ago, daveinlim said:

This is mine, battery powered. Did a good job without proper power washer pressure to worry about

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WG620E-2-Cordless-Hydroshot-Portable/dp/B07Y5GPJMY/ref=asc_df_B07Y5GPJMY/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=430933650865&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10895744284297735976&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046080&hvtargid=pla-907825900294&psc=1&mcid=f57b1496f7df36689630d8db468900ca&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=104090655830&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=430933650865&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10895744284297735976&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046080&hvtargid=pla-907825900294

That looks good. And very off topic but I’m wondering if I could use it to wash my boat with sea water when I’m at anchor?

[S-Westerly]

3 hours ago, Davidtav said:

That looks good. And very off topic but I’m wondering if I could use it to wash my boat with sea water when I’m at anchor?

Can't see any reason why not.

[Fiddlesticks]

1 hour ago, S-Westerly said:

Can't see any reason why not.

I have seen people use sea water to wash off muck and salt deposits - sounds counter-intuitive but apparently it works. If you want to completely clear the salt afterwards a bit of fresh water will easily shift the last of it.

[S-Westerly]

If its a boat floating in sea water, salt is a fact of life. Also salt water discourages the dreaded green slime.

[Gerontious]

Im not sure what I would do in these circumstances. Being a tight git I wouldn't want to be spending much. So. a bucket for the warm sudsy water and probably a watering can - with a fine rose, for rinsing. Would be a bit of a pain if there are stairs to contend with - accidents can and do happen. Ideally I would be searching for a local car wash - with hose. DIY rather than manned and do it there.

 

I don't bother with the anti corrosion treatment each year. I don't think it's necessary for modern bikes. not much on my bike is exposed metal. nearly everything is either painted or stainless. so, perhaps some odd fixings might eventually show some signs of corrosion and if so, then it would be a good excuse to replace them with the appropriate grade of stainless steel. or rub them down and give them a lick of oil when I do the chain. or perhaps take them out, clean them up and give the head a spray with black hammerite. or similar.

 

But, I've not noticed that so far. 5 years and kept outside. it's too easy to become overly precious about these things. I reckon. A spot of rust on a bolt isn't the end of the world  (as we know it) and is easily fixed.

Edited December 5, 2023 by Gerontious

[peepae]

33 minutes ago, Gerontious said:

Im not sure what I would do in these circumstances. Being a tight git I wouldn't want to be spending much. So. a bucket for the warm sudsy water and probably a watering can - with a fine rose, for rinsing. Would be a bit of a pain if there are stairs to contend with - accidents can and do happen. Ideally I would be searching for a local car wash - with hose. DIY rather than manned and do it there.

 

I don't bother with the anti corrosion treatment each year. I don't think it's necessary for modern bikes. not much on my bike is exposed metal. nearly everything is either painted or stainless. so, perhaps some odd fixings might eventually show some signs of corrosion and if so, then it would be a good excuse to replace them with the appropriate grade of stainless steel. or rub them down and give them a lick of oil when I do the chain. or perhaps take them out, clean them up and give the head a spray with black hammerite. or similar.

 

But, I've not noticed that so far. 5 years and kept outside. it's too easy to become overly precious about these things. I reckon. A spot of rust on a bolt isn't the end of the world  (as we know it) and is easily fixed.

Think this depends on who put the bolts on your bike!!  I believe in Honda but Yamaha likes to put cheap fixings in hehe on a lot of their bikes.

[mealexme]

1 hour ago, Gerontious said:

I don't bother with the anti corrosion treatment each year. I don't think it's necessary for modern bikes. not much on my bike is exposed metal. nearly everything is either painted or stainless. so, perhaps some odd fixings might eventually show some signs of corrosion and if so, then it would be a good excuse to replace them with the appropriate grade of stainless steel. or rub them down and give them a lick of oil when I do the chain. or perhaps take them out, clean them up and give the head a spray with black hammerite. or similar.

 

But, I've not noticed that so far. 5 years and kept outside. it's too easy to become overly precious about these things. I reckon. A spot of rust on a bolt isn't the end of the world  (as we know it) and is easily fixed.

I've had the bike about 6 months. Its 20 years old and came to me with no rust and has loads now (mainly on the bolts admitadly).

 

I do have a sea view though, and park right on the sea wall at work, so salt is always in the air.

 

I dunno, I never had a problem with my old Honda or kawazaki, but this suzuki and my last suzuki both rusted pretty quickly when being left outside, so maybe it's a brand thing

[daveinlim]

9 hours ago, Davidtav said:

That looks good. And very off topic but I’m wondering if I could use it to wash my boat with sea water when I’m at anchor?

There's a 2m long hose. If that's enough then I don't see why not.

[onesea]

On 04/12/2023 at 17:28, Throttled said:

 

 

I found those hand pump things were not up to the job during the winter months.

They work for me, in deep dark winter you just have to wipe down a bit more..