Dirty bike cleaning tips

eric513anderson
Edited Date/Time 5/19/2016 3:40pm
So let me start off by saying I hate dirty bikes. I just picked up the 2006 YZ 250 from my buddy. He is over seas for the Army and will be there another 2 years and decided to sell the bike. He wanted me to clean it up and go over it to make sure it's sell able and do some carb work. He was stations in Georgia and rode down there. As you can see it still has the Georgia dirt all over it. I just did a quick power wash and that didn't really do much. I'm gonna have to scrub and clean the hell out of it. Any tips on how to get this shit off? He thinks it's worth $2,600 with a rebuilt engine (new crank & piston) and the suspension was just serviced. I say it's over priced. Thoughts?







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eric513anderson 5/18/2016 2:36pm
5/18/2016 2:36pm
Bike #513 is my bike. I needed to clean it from when I was at the track over the weekend.

The 2006 bike has - Pro Circuit pipe & silencer, Vforce 3 reeds, rebuilt engine with roughly 5 hours on it. Suspension was recently serviced, Dunlop mx32 rear tire, blue Tusk rear hub & excel rim.
OR Racer46
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OR Racer46 5/18/2016 2:41pm
5/18/2016 2:41pm
Every bike for sale has a fresh rebuilt engine and fresh suspension . Wink I use shout on my bike but I do not think
That will be enough on the red dirt. . I would probably try simple green and a scotchbrite pad Then a coat of SC-1
mx836
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mx836 5/18/2016 2:49pm
5/18/2016 2:49pm
I use scotchbrite and WD40 on the aluminum, but that thing looks like it's going to be a huge pain in the ass to clean. I'd probably pull all the plastics, sub frame, tank, etc, just to get at everything easier. I just sold a '13 KX450 for about $1000 more than what your buddy wants, so to me, that price is way too high.
nascarnate326
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nascarnate326 5/18/2016 3:03pm
5/18/2016 3:03pm
2 strokes are making a come back so he might not be that far off however it needs to be clean.

If it were me I would get a bottle of Bel Ray bike wash and spray the thing down real good then let it sit for a few minutes then power wash it down. Purple power or simple green might work too but Bel Ray works really good. Its $10 a bottle and I bet you use most of it.

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wwoberg
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wwoberg 5/18/2016 3:19pm
5/18/2016 3:19pm
Purple power works really well but you will lose some shine and glimmer.
cslacker
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cslacker 5/18/2016 3:24pm
5/18/2016 3:24pm
Shout and WD40 are all you will need to get that bike shining. Just spray it down and let the Shout soak on it for a bit. then spray off. Some stubborn spots might require a bit of elbow grease but not much.
umagumadog 5/18/2016 3:46pm
5/18/2016 3:46pm
Ahh good ole Georgia red clay. Simple Green straight out of the jug and a good bristle brush. Then it'll be clean enough to clean.
eric513anderson 5/18/2016 3:47pm
5/18/2016 3:47pm
Alrighty guys thanks for the replies. I realized I'm gonna need more day time to get this sucker clean. I'll pull the plastics, tank & subframe so I have more access to clean. It's gonna be a fun one lol. I do have a receipt for the engine rebuild so I know that's at least legit. Looks like I'm gonna have to get some shout and more beer
731chopper
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731chopper 5/18/2016 3:53pm
5/18/2016 3:53pm
If you can clean it up and prove it has recently had the motor rebuilt and suspension serviced then I don't think $2,600 is unrealistic. But like others have said everyone loves to claim that on Craigslist. Scotchbrite pads are the best things to clean up non painted surfaces with in my experience.
EEE299
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EEE299 5/19/2016 8:31am
5/19/2016 8:31am
Depends on your area. Near me that thing all cleaned up could go for 3k, but our bike market is on the high side I think.
colintrax
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colintrax 5/19/2016 8:52am
5/19/2016 8:52am
Looks to me like you just blasted it with the pressure washer. I live in Georgia and don't have any problem getting the red crap out, just need to hit it with the pressure washer and then wipe it down with a towel and soap. Radiator hoses come out best with a towel soaked in wd40
eric513anderson 5/19/2016 9:40am
5/19/2016 9:40am
Those pictures were before I sprayed it. He rode it about a year ago and it has sat since. That's why the dirt isn't coming off very well
shanes
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shanes 5/19/2016 10:01am
5/19/2016 10:01am
the trick is to wash them every time as soon as you are finished riding , never let a bike sit with dirt mud etc left on it , it will stain
Tracktor
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Tracktor 5/19/2016 10:26am
5/19/2016 10:26am
Totally Awesome from dollar store. Spray one wait scrub & pressure wash off. Any stained aluminum or plastic areas spray Napa Alumibrite on and immediately pressure wash off. Also, a hand held soda blaster can do wonders with removing stains without causing damage.........stained aluminum makes my OCD come out........
shanes
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shanes 5/19/2016 10:36am
5/19/2016 10:36am Edited Date/Time 5/19/2016 10:37am
Tracktor wrote:
Totally Awesome from dollar store. Spray one wait scrub & pressure wash off. Any stained aluminum or plastic areas spray Napa Alumibrite on and immediately pressure...
Totally Awesome from dollar store. Spray one wait scrub & pressure wash off. Any stained aluminum or plastic areas spray Napa Alumibrite on and immediately pressure wash off. Also, a hand held soda blaster can do wonders with removing stains without causing damage.........stained aluminum makes my OCD come out........
i have the same OCD condition

mate picked up a beaten up 2000 CR 250 , results from a bit of scotch brite and a lot of elbow grease

brocster
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brocster 5/19/2016 11:00am
5/19/2016 11:00am
mr. clean uncut. Thanks to Denny Stephensons dad many years ago.
eric513anderson 5/19/2016 1:16pm
5/19/2016 1:16pm
Yeah I always make sure to wash and clean my bike after I ride but this one I had no control over

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NotCore
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NotCore 5/19/2016 2:57pm
5/19/2016 2:57pm
OR Racer46 wrote:
Every bike for sale has a fresh rebuilt engine and fresh suspension . ;) I use shout on my bike but I do not think That...
Every bike for sale has a fresh rebuilt engine and fresh suspension . Wink I use shout on my bike but I do not think
That will be enough on the red dirt. . I would probably try simple green and a scotchbrite pad Then a coat of SC-1
Shout works great in GA. Spray it and let it sit for a while. Much better than simple green.
NotCore
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NotCore 5/19/2016 2:59pm
5/19/2016 2:59pm
Also, in GA, I think that is a reasonable price for a 2006, if it was clean and in good working order.
Spagina767
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Spagina767 5/19/2016 3:01pm
5/19/2016 3:01pm
Soak it all in WD 40. For a day.

Pressure wash.

Soak in WD 40.

Soak bike in simple green, non diluted.

Pressure wash.

Soak bike in simple green again.

Pressure wash.

Use a mag wheel cleaner on your motor and radiators.

Pressure wash.

Soak in SC1.

Be happy.
Langhammx 5/19/2016 3:11pm
5/19/2016 3:11pm
Mr Clean has worked great for me. Some of that red clay dirt has ruined a few sets of my gear over the years.
Uncle Tony
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Uncle Tony 5/19/2016 3:40pm
5/19/2016 3:40pm
Mr.Clean in a spray bottle, spray the bike down let sit and hose off do your boots while you're at it works great

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