Tips for cleaning the motor?

[Dynamohum]

I'd like to really clean my motor w/o ruining my plug wires or removing any paint from the frame rails etc. I have the full Dyna ignition so should I wrap the coils? I'll pull the tank and start scrubbing but is there a cleaner that works best? It's an early 79 that's never been out of the frame and has nearly 70,000 miles on it. Its gettin kinda dirty...

[FalldownPhil]

Try a tooth brush and a bottle of Awesome cleaner from the 99cent store.
Phil

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

I use S100 Total Cycle Cleaner for cleaning the engine. A caveat.....on-line reviews are mixed.
It must be used on a cold engine and thoroughly rinsed off.

Along with an assortment of Dollar Store toothbrushes, sponges and scrub brushes.

[hondaman160mph]

I have used "409" cleaner on all my motorcycles
According to some "experts" it won't degrade rubber,
plastic or electrical wire insulation.

[wyly]

I just cleaned my cases for a repaint...Pine-Sol and Methyl Hydrate are gentle and inexpensive cleaners...I also used both brake and carb cleaner as well...for the hard to reach spots, Popsicle sticks, chop sticks, toothbrush and an assortment of dental picks for those stubborn hard buildups in tight spots...a purple scotch pad will bring back the shine on the exhaust collars...

[80 cbx dude #6216]

I also use S100 or Honda brite. Use when cold, in the shade and rinse off well.-Mike

[Z Grand]

Tapered brushes, tooth brushes, and Simple Green for me.

[EMS]

Be very careful with Simple Green on aluminum! Bad combo.

[Larry Zimmer]

Be very careful with Simple Green on aluminum! Bad combo.

Yes -- anything with phosphate can do some etching leaving a satin finish of some degree where you might have had polished finish. It will clean ---BUT................

[wyly]

Be very careful with Simple Green on aluminum! Bad combo.

Yes -- anything with phosphate can do some etching leaving a satin finish of some degree where you might have had polished finish. It will clean ---BUT................

this forum is great for advice on how to do things....but maybe even better for how not to do it based on our own experiences when we mess up...

[Dynamohum]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I've used Simple Green on the wheels with great results but never on the motor. I grabbed the wrong bottle once and sprayed my mirrors with it. Not going to do that again.

[daves79x]

I've been using a product from POR 15, that used to be called Marine Clean, but now goes by something else. Don't worry, they will know what you want. It is by far the best at cutting road grime, grease, just about anything. Its a great prep for degreasing prior to painting.

Dave