Cleaning the engine of a motorcycle is a task that must be carried out for aesthetic reasons, but above all because an accumulation of dirt could well prevent the optimal functioning of your car.
The engine is a key element that needs to be maintained on a regular basis. So you can easily ride your motorcycle for years to come, without having to worry about the condition of the engine on a daily basis.
Why does a motorcycle engine get dirty?
When you travel for miles on the road, your vehicle's engine has an annoying tendency to clog. Certain elements will end up sticking to the engine and will therefore eventually make it dirty. The engine of a motorcycle is much more exposed to dirt than that of a car. By dint of driving, engine performance can therefore be impacted by dust and waste that can settle in this part of the vehicle.
What materials are needed to clean a motorcycle engine?
To get the best out of your motorcycle's engine, you won't need a lot of materials. You most likely already have a lot of the necessary equipment available. Depending on how dirty your engine is, you may need to go to a DIY store to purchase a specific cleaning product.
To clean your engine, you will need:
- An engine cleaner
- Plastic
- Scotch tape
- A brush
- A garden hose
- A Karcher
- A soft cloth
How to clean a motorcycle engine?
Cleaning your motorbike engine in the classic way is by far the most affordable of all solutions. Only negative point: you will have to completely disassemble the motorcycle in order to clean the various components piece by piece. Cleaning the engine remains a delicate task for which it is essential to be meticulous. The most recent motorcycles indeed contain a sometimes complex electronic system which must therefore be avoided. Certain precautions must therefore be taken in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Step 1: let the engine cool down
Before starting to clean the engine, it is essential to let it cool down first. If you are returning from a motorcycle trip, you should definitely wait before handling it. Depending on your vehicle model, you may need to remove the fairing. If you are lucky, the engine will be accessible directly.
Step 2: isolate the electronic components
After the engine has cooled down well, you need to insulate the electronic components of the motorcycle with plastic. Be particularly careful not to damage the vehicle. Once all of the components are covered, you can use duct tape to waterproof the components before cleaning.
Step 3: use a specific product
Use a degreaser that you can find in any specialty store or in your garage. To ensure its good effectiveness, let the product act for between 5 and 10 minutes. You can then scrub the dirtier parts of the engine with a brush.
Step 4: rinse the engine
Once all the dirt is gone, you can use a garden hose to thoroughly rinse the motorcycle engine. However, if the engine is still too dirty, you can use a Karcher or some other type of pressure washer.
Be careful, before using your vehicle again, it is essential to let it dry completely. For faster drying, you can use a cloth. Once the engine has been stripped of all the layer of grease that previously covered it, it becomes much more sensitive to corrosion. In order to protect it as well as possible, it is then recommended to coat it with a protective wax as well as to regularly make small greases in order to prolong its life. For example, you can use aerosol lubricants which are effective while being very easy to use.
How to maintain a motorcycle engine and prevent it from getting dirty too quickly?
It is very important to properly maintain your motorcycle engine. Obviously, this can sometimes represent a great investment in time and money, but you will quickly be rewarded for the time spent maintaining your vehicle. With a clean engine, your driving will be much more comfortable and safer.
Small, simple actions will extend the life of your engine and therefore the life of your motorcycle. To prolong the life of your engine, but also to respect the environment, while saving money, it is recommended to have an efficient driving. Also pay attention to comply with the various maintenance tasks indicated by the vehicle manufacturer.
