Best practice for washing a vintage bike

[MrMoonbeam72]

Looking for advice.
When it comes to my current 2014 ride I plug up the muffler, but otherwise spray everywhere.
I first use S100 diligently all over and on everything non-fairing below the seat, then just hose that off after sitting 5 minutes or so.
I follow that with normal car wash soap (chemical bros pink stuff) then rinse and dry.
Generally avoid a power wash except to rinse from a distance

How should I approach my cb450 similarly or differently?
What about handling wrapped pipes?
Where should I absolutely avoid spray?
Should I cover anything in advance with a baggie?
Thanks!

 

[ancientdad]

Looking for advice.
When it comes to my current 2014 ride I plug up the muffler, but otherwise spray everywhere.
I first use S100 diligently all over and on everything non-fairing below the seat, then just hose that off after sitting 5 minutes or so.
I follow that with normal car wash soap (chemical bros pink stuff) then rinse and dry.
Generally avoid a power wash except to rinse from a distance

How should I approach my cb450 similarly or differently?
What about handling wrapped pipes?
Where should I absolutely avoid spray?
Should I cover anything in advance with a baggie?
Thanks!

I wouldn't pressure wash your bike, old wiring can be negatively affected by it. And if you get wrapped pipes wet and they don't dry out quickly, they'll rust underneath. Obviously avoid air cleaners, if you have stock air filters then leave the sidecovers on and if you have pods then cover them with a ziplock baggie.

 

[EzPete]

I use compressed air to blow everything off, then just use a couple of spray bottles and damp microfiber or a soft nylon brush.

Follow with some mothers on the shiny stuff and maybe a spray wax on the paint if it’s been a while.

 

[ballbearian]

I use compressed air to blow everything off, then just use a couple of spray bottles and damp microfiber or a soft nylon brush.

Follow with some mothers on the shiny stuff and maybe a spray wax on the paint if it’s been a while.

Cheap electric leaf blowers are really handy too, for drying.

 

[Richard Pitman]

I never wash my older Honda's, because I'm a fair weather rider. Oily rag and polish is all that they need, along with occasional wipe over with WD40 or GT85, also a squirt of ACF-50 for winter in my damp lockup.

The Hornet does get a bath if it needs it. I use car shampoo, ( NEVER USE WASHING UP LIQUID), bucket and sponge. Rinse off using a watering can and fresh water. I don't own a jet wash, and wouldn't use it if I did, too many stories about grease being blasted out of wheel and head stock bearings, not good for the chain either*. Autoglym resin polish on the painted bits and chrome, and Solvol Autosol metal polish for the stainless header pipes. Run the engine until hot to dry off most of the rinse water.

* I use blue Scottoil on my chains, flung lube washes off easily with hot soapy water, solvents not required.

 

[MrMoonbeam72]

Cheap electric leaf blowers are really handy too, for drying.

That was exactly what I did using a battery powered blower. Normally I'd just go out for a ride instead, but in this case the blower did the trick to make sure it doesnt sit in any nooks or crannies