Won't start after washing bike

on 9/24/07 5:14 PM, smn wrote:

> Do I just let it dry out.
>
I would.

> Is there a specific place on the engine I can blow dry it to help it out.
> Or is this the worst thing you can do to a bike and it will never run again?
>
I imagine it'll dry in time, but maybe check around the spark plugs for
excess water. Park it in a warm, dry place if possible.

> I washed it with a pot scrubber and soapy water.
>
What kind of bike? What parts of the bike did you wash like this? I hose my
bike off, wash with a soapy mitt, rinse with hose, dry with towel. But I
don't force a ton of water all over the top of the engine, and I go easy
with the water around the electronics and instrumentation.

> This I had to do to the
> back wheel because after spraying the chain I almost got dumped twice going
> slow as can be in the rain when putting on the brakes. Why don't they
> warn you about that. I should have stuck with phil's tenacious oil but I
> ran out.
>
After spraying the chain with what? If slippery stuff got onto your tire, of
course it's going to reduce traction. What kind of warning would you expect?
Regardless, whatever you're putting on your chain shouldn't be on there
sloppy enough to get onto your tire in enough quantity to cause any
problems.


> Time will tell. My mc shop is closed sun/mon.
> Another thing. Now that I tried starting it till the battery was out and it
> did thankfully come back will that damage the battery?
>
Probably ought to put it on an appropriate battery charger. They're cheap,
and readily available retail and online.

--
Jamin
"Freedom costs a buck-oh-five"
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

"smn" wrote in message

> Do I just let it dry out.
> Is there a specific place on the engine I can blow dry it to help it out.
> Or is this the worst thing you can do to a bike and it will never run
> again?
> I washed it with a pot scrubber and soapy water. This I had to do to the
> back wheel because after spraying the chain I almost got dumped twice
> going slow as can be in the rain when putting on the brakes. Why don't
> they warn you about that. I should have stuck with phil's tenacious oil
> but I ran out.
>
> Time will tell. My mc shop is closed sun/mon.
> Another thing. Now that I tried starting it till the battery was out and
> it did thankfully come back will that damage the battery?
>
> thanks y'all
>
>
>
>
sounds like you should be riding a bicycle from your various posted
questions
go to a good motorcycle safety school and learn
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

on 9/25/07 8:26 AM, asrelkqwopmnvcsd wrote:

> sounds like you should be riding a bicycle from your various posted
> questions
> go to a good motorcycle safety school and learn

Safety school isn't going to teach anything about bike maintenance.

A book like this would be better for general maintenance info:

"Motorcycle Owner's Manual" -Hugo Wilson


The original poster has a lot to learn, that seems clear. But at some point,
each of us did as well.

--
Jamin
"Freedom costs a buck-oh-five"
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

"smn" wrote in message

> Do I just let it dry out.

What choice do you have?

> Is there a specific place on the engine I can blow dry it to help it
> out.
> Or is this the worst thing you can do to a bike and it will never run
> again?
> I washed it with a pot scrubber and soapy water. This I had to do to
> the back wheel because after spraying the chain I almost got dumped
> twice going slow as can be in the rain when putting on the brakes.
> Why don't they warn you about that. I should have stuck with phil's
> tenacious oil but I ran out.
>
> Time will tell. My mc shop is closed sun/mon.
> Another thing. Now that I tried starting it till the battery was out
> and it did thankfully come back will that damage the battery?
>


!. Use much less chain lube.

2. You'll probably be able to charge the battery back up, however,
a low battery will spin the engine a long time after it doesn't have
enough power to actually start the bike.

3. If a car or bike won't start when it's wet, the first place you
look is the plug wires.

Reassembler
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

"Jamin" wrote in message

> on 9/25/07 8:26 AM, asrelkqwopmnvcsd wrote:
>
>> sounds like you should be riding a bicycle from your various posted
>> questions
>> go to a good motorcycle safety school and learn
>
> Safety school isn't going to teach anything about bike maintenance.
>
> A book like this would be better for general maintenance info:
>
> "Motorcycle Owner's Manual" -Hugo Wilson
>
>
> The original poster has a lot to learn, that seems clear. But at some
> point,
> each of us did as well.
>

I still say "don't wash bike"
I've seen people out with pressure washers cleaning their bikes. No No No.
I get the grime and stuff off with WD-40.
I use a sponge and soapy water to clean, and then a gentle stream of water
to get the soap off.
I'd barely call it a wash, much more of a cleaning that I do a couple times
a year.



--

Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
71 Kawi H1
05 Kiddo
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

On 9/25/07 9:50 AM, "Andrew" wrote:

> I still say "don't wash bike"
> I've seen people out with pressure washers cleaning their bikes. No No No.
> I get the grime and stuff off with WD-40.
> I use a sponge and soapy water to clean, and then a gentle stream of water
> to get the soap off.
> I'd barely call it a wash, much more of a cleaning that I do a couple times
> a year.

What you describe (WD-40, soap & water) I think could still be called
"washing". Call it "cleaning" if you want, but it's the same thing I do, and
I call it "washing".

Pressure washer? That's pretty dumb. Anyone I know? Some of your lunch ride
buddies, perhaps?

You want to know a great way to get bug guts off your bike, helmet and
leathers that takes minimal effort? Go for a rainy ride. Works like a charm.

--
Jamin
"Freedom costs a buck-oh-five"




--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

"Jamin" wrote in message

> On 9/25/07 9:50 AM, "Andrew" wrote:
>
>> I still say "don't wash bike"
>> I've seen people out with pressure washers cleaning their bikes. No No
>> No.
>> I get the grime and stuff off with WD-40.
>> I use a sponge and soapy water to clean, and then a gentle stream of
>> water
>> to get the soap off.
>> I'd barely call it a wash, much more of a cleaning that I do a couple
>> times
>> a year.
>
> What you describe (WD-40, soap & water) I think could still be called
> "washing". Call it "cleaning" if you want, but it's the same thing I do,
> and
> I call it "washing".

OK, semantics I guess. However, none of my bikes have failed to start after
a washing.

>
> Pressure washer? That's pretty dumb. Anyone I know? Some of your lunch
> ride
> buddies, perhaps?

Nope, some punks in the neighborhood.



>
> You want to know a great way to get bug guts off your bike, helmet and
> leathers that takes minimal effort? Go for a rainy ride. Works like a
> charm.
>

I haven't ridden since the Seattle 100. The Speed Triple is on the trickle
charger.
Fatherhood has its privileges.


--

Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
71 Kawi H1
05 Kiddo
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

On 9/25/07 11:17 AM, "Andrew" wrote:

> "Jamin" wrote in message
>
>>
>> What you describe (WD-40, soap & water) I think could still be called
>> "washing". Call it "cleaning" if you want, but it's the same thing I do, and
>> I call it "washing".
>>
> OK, semantics I guess. However, none of my bikes have failed to start after a
> washing.
>
Mine neither. TomAYto tomAHto... in any case, we're agreed that pressure
washing is bad news. Plus, motorcycles just don't need to be that clean!

>>
>> Pressure washer? That's pretty dumb. Anyone I know? Some of your lunch ride
>> buddies, perhaps?
>>
> Nope, some punks in the neighborhood.
>
Figures. Kids these days, eh?

Well, by the time Triple-G is 5 years old, he'll be cruising around teaching
those punks how to bleed brakes and adjust suspension.

>>
>> You want to know a great way to get bug guts off your bike, helmet and
>> leathers that takes minimal effort? Go for a rainy ride. Works like a charm.
>>
>
> I haven't ridden since the Seattle 100. The Speed Triple is on the trickle
> charger. Fatherhood has its privileges.
>
"Privileges"? I think your semantics are confusing me again.

Speaking of the G-Man... I should come visit and see the little feller. I
don't think I have yet.

--
Jamin
"Freedom costs a buck-oh-five"




--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

"smn" wrote in message

> Do I just let it dry out.
> Is there a specific place on the engine I can blow dry it to help it out.
> Or is this the worst thing you can do to a bike and it will never run
> again?
> I washed it with a pot scrubber and soapy water. This I had to do to the
> back wheel because after spraying the chain I almost got dumped twice
> going slow as can be in the rain when putting on the brakes. Why don't
> they warn you about that. I should have stuck with phil's tenacious oil
> but I ran out.
>
> Time will tell. My mc shop is closed sun/mon.
> Another thing. Now that I tried starting it till the battery was out and
> it did thankfully come back will that damage the battery?
>
Let it dry out, it'll be fine. You don't say what kind of bike it is, so
your responses will be limited. If it's got points as opposed to electronic
ignition they may have have gotten wet, and points really hate water.
They're underneath one of the covers on the end of your crankshaft,
generally the cover says "Yamaha" or "Honda" etc. on it and comes off with
two screws. Take the cover off and look for water. Make sure there's a
good gasket on it or you'll pay when you get caught out in the rain.
Depending on the age of the bike, I've seen hardwired plug leads with
cracked insulation. A little water renders them incapable of carrying
enough spark to fire your plugs. Make sure you didn't get water into your
airbox or soak your air filter, that'd definitely keep it from starting.

As far as the battery goes, lead-acid wet cells do not like to be discharged
beyond say 50%. Repeated deep discharges WILL damage the battery as when
you deeply discharge it the metal ions go into solution. As the solution
reaches the saturation point, they start to precipitate out making a layer
in the bottom of the cell. When the layer of metal gets high enough to
touch both opposing plates, the cell shorts and the battery is junk. As a
rule of thumb (and I've broken this rule many many times) if the bike won't
start after 30 seconds of continuous cranking, you know deep down that
you're just killing the battery after that.

Dave S.
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

"Jamin" wrote in message

> On 9/25/07 11:17 AM, "Andrew" wrote:
>
>> "Jamin" wrote in message
>>
>>>
>>> What you describe (WD-40, soap & water) I think could still be called
>>> "washing". Call it "cleaning" if you want, but it's the same thing I do,
>>> and
>>> I call it "washing".
>>>
>> OK, semantics I guess. However, none of my bikes have failed to start
>> after a
>> washing.
>>
> Mine neither. TomAYto tomAHto... in any case, we're agreed that pressure
> washing is bad news. Plus, motorcycles just don't need to be that clean!
>
>
>>>
>>> Pressure washer? That's pretty dumb. Anyone I know? Some of your lunch
>>> ride
>>> buddies, perhaps?
>>>
>> Nope, some punks in the neighborhood.
>>
> Figures. Kids these days, eh?
>
> Well, by the time Triple-G is 5 years old, he'll be cruising around
> teaching
> those punks how to bleed brakes and adjust suspension.
>
>>>
>>> You want to know a great way to get bug guts off your bike, helmet and
>>> leathers that takes minimal effort? Go for a rainy ride. Works like a
>>> charm.
>>>
>>
>> I haven't ridden since the Seattle 100. The Speed Triple is on the
>> trickle
>> charger. Fatherhood has its privileges.
>>
> "Privileges"? I think your semantics are confusing me again.
>
> Speaking of the G-Man... I should come visit and see the little feller. I
> don't think I have yet.

We're headed to Houston for his 2nd BD.
Here is a vid of him from San Diego a couple weeks ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXga5sJ2Ufw
After we get back we should introduce you two.



--

Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
71 Kawi H1
05 Kiddo
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

"Jamin" wrote in message

> On 9/25/07 9:50 AM, "Andrew" wrote:
>
>> I still say "don't wash bike"
>> I've seen people out with pressure washers cleaning their bikes. No No
>> No.
>> I get the grime and stuff off with WD-40.
>> I use a sponge and soapy water to clean, and then a gentle stream of
>> water
>> to get the soap off.
>> I'd barely call it a wash, much more of a cleaning that I do a couple
>> times
>> a year.
>
> What you describe (WD-40, soap & water) I think could still be called
> "washing". Call it "cleaning" if you want, but it's the same thing I do,
> and
> I call it "washing".
>
> Pressure washer? That's pretty dumb. Anyone I know? Some of your lunch
> ride
> buddies, perhaps?
>
> You want to know a great way to get bug guts off your bike, helmet and
> leathers that takes minimal effort? Go for a rainy ride. Works like a
> charm.
>
> --
> Jamin
> "Freedom costs a buck-oh-five"
>

I hate washing the bike too. I just use a lawn sprayer full of dish soap,
set it for about 8oz/gal and suds the bike. I give it time to soak, hit the
tough stuff with a rag, then rinse. I dry it with a leaf blower, then take
it for a ride and WD-40 the chain to keep the rust off. I don't get any
grime 'cuz I don't use chain lube.
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

on 9/25/07 4:36 PM, Andrew wrote:

> We're headed to Houston for his 2nd BD.
> Here is a vid of him from San Diego a couple weeks ago.
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXga5sJ2Ufw
> After we get back we should introduce you two.

Yes we should. I'm around. Email me when you're back and we'll work
something out.

--
Jamin
"Freedom costs a buck-oh-five"
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike 

"D" wrote in message
>
and WD-40 the chain to keep the rust off. I don't get any
> grime 'cuz I don't use chain lube.
>
WD-40 is a BAD choice . It's full of solvents and will fly off quickly. It
is a penetrant, not a lubricant. It has a thin viscosity, which means that
it will penetrate behind the O-Rings of your chain and dissolve the
petroleum out of the grease inside the links, leaving only the clay binders.
You shouldn't be using it even to clean the chain, much less lube it.

Running a dry chain is about as good for it as running dry wheel bearings,
or, for that matter, running your engine without oil. Sure it's clean, but
metal on metal doesn't last very long. Your chain will wear exponentially
faster with no lube on it. As will your sprockets.

Use something like PJ-1 which is designed to stay on the chain, lubricate
properly, and repel dirt.

Or buy more chains. Your call.
 >> Stay informed about: Won't start after washing bike