[Guest]

Hi,

Is there an optimal process for washing / cleaning the Rune.

I am considering buying a lift from Kowatools.com to get the bike off the ground a little bit. Also seems like it would be easier if there was a method to have one tire and then the other tire off the ground so they could be turned while being washed.

Does anyone here have a lift? Any recommendations as to size, brand?

Kind regards,

Ray

 

[RedValk]

i dont think ANYONE makes a lift or adapter for the Rune, period. Some ingenius folks on this board have made some wooden adapters....but there is nothing for sale to the public.

That said, here is how i clean up my two Runes:

i have an LA Wheelchock from Baxley Trailers. I put the Rune in the wheelchock, which holds it upright and lifts the front end off the ground an inch or two. then i use my Mr. Clean car wash kit from Walmart. rinse, then spray the special soap on and wash (it even cuts right thru the exhuast soot)....then rinse again, then use the special filter rinse that leaves no water spots.

Then, even though you don't have to (you could just let it air dry, as no spots would form since the filter rinse took all the minerals and deposits out of the water)....i blow dry it with a leave blower. The bike is now spotless and clean and dry in minutes!

Then if i'm going to wax it, i use Meguirs #26. But, i did buy some new cleaning/wax products at the InZane to try....i'll try them out in the next few weeks and post a report if i remember!

 

[SiteData]

Wisdome from Jupiter!

You don’t need a lift to clean the wheels.

Go to household supplies department at your local WalMart. They have a duster contraption that looks like an 18” long all white raccoons’ tail, with a handle. Most folks use them to dust the ceiling fan. Rune owners can reach into the crevices at and around the handle bars and run it up under the front wheel trailing fork.

It works like a charm.

If you get one you will wonder why it took so long for me to share this household tip.

 

[HogSlayer]

NO Water!

All of my toys are cleaned with a product called BOM. Great stuff, leaves no residue and can clean the entire bike, paint, chrome, alumium and lexan windshields. Water will get into the controls and all kinds of places
and still be there even if you blow dry, then rust and corrosion start. Water isn't good for electrical/electronic connections, switches and components. No I don't own the BOM company, just been using it on my
99 valk for 4 years and it looks real good!

 

[SiteData]

OK, I neglected to mention the rest of my Rune bathing ritual.

After washing it down with the imitation feather duster, it is rinsed with Mister Clean AutoDry, blasted with the leaf blower and then run at 85 mph up and down Interstate 95 for 12 miles. That gets it dry but it still needs some spot wiping, even with the AutoDry Rinse.

After most rides I give it a whore bath and always use BOM, good stuff.

 

[Rune Giant]

Do you guys leave the seat on or take it off when washing it?

 

[asacuta]

On, wash seat, rinse, off, wash bike, rinse.

 

[Rune 005]

.....After most rides I give it a whore bath and always use BOM, good stuff.

I know this is an old post...But Chuck, you need to explain this!!

 

[f6rider]

i rinse my rune down to remove as much rime etc as possible.
I wash it with mequires car wash soap and a micro fiber mit. I dry with a dog dryer.(it is same thing advertise as a motorcycle dryer, my wife has a pet grooming service) Blows it off very nice. I then wipe the spots of with clean micro fiber towels. As far as the wheels go i have some brushes for hard to reach places and i roll back a little to get it all cleaned.

I also use a scoot seat and just roll around it when washing.

When I wax it I put it on the table lift.

 

[3putt]

I am not a fan of spraying the Rune with water. I am also not a fan of riding in the rain. That said, sometimes riding in the rain is manditory, and in the case of the Fl Love bugs, washing the bike is necessary. The rest of the time, I use Honda polish, Zaino, and Pledge to keep the bike clean.

 

[bigv]

I am not a fan of spraying the Rune with water. I am also not a fan of riding in the rain. That said, sometimes riding in the rain is manditory, and in the case of the Fl Love bugs, washing the bike is necessary. The rest of the time, I use Honda polish, Zaino, and Pledge to keep the bike clean.

Pledge does work great doesn't it!! There are so many great waxes out there and I've tried almost everyone and have never been able to visibly see any significant difference in most products. A couple of years ago, I tried a product called Rejex. This product outlasts everything I've ever tried and it makes removing bugs, grease and the dreaded exhaust soot a breeze even months after applying. Great on the chrome wheels as well!!!. This product is widely used for aircraft and other highly vulnerable vehicles that are exposed to even the harshest elements. BigV

 

[stewie]

I use something called S100, got it from the HD shop... you just spray it on and wash it off... bike looks IMMACULATE

 

[SiteData]

Rune 005

I wrote that three years ago and now I can’t remember where I left the cap to my Metamucil bottle this morning.

What I probably meant was I just give it a quick going over without much love and affection.

 

[Rune Giant]

I ended up using Honda Brite. Put on the oem seat, rolled the bike into the shade, sprayed it with Honda Brite all over, scrubbed the rims, and then rinsed then hit it with the Mr. Clean set for spotless rinse. The dried with detail diapers. Lots of drying, since I'm thinking I need a new filter for the Mr. Clean.
Now to do some small detail work on the chrome with a little windex.

Also, softened the rear shock and let a little air out of the front tire. It was at 42 lbs (came like that). Now it's 39. Hope that helps with freeway rain grooves.

 

[WIZ]

I am not a fan of spraying the Rune with water. I am also not a fan of riding in the rain. That said, sometimes riding in the rain is manditory, and in the case of the Fl Love bugs, washing the bike is necessary. The rest of the time, I use Honda polish, Zaino, and Pledge to keep the bike clean.

worth repeating.......

 

[CentralCalRune]

Now... Come to think of it, I haven't washed my bike in 2 years... Honda polish, and the California car Duster is all I use. 8)

 

[hogzilla]

I don't want to offend here but I can't understand why you don't want to take a hose to your bike? I understand maybe not going to the car wash but a garden hose? I guess my bike is being abused on a regular basis.....I sure hope someone doesn't report this to Honda they may void my warranty. (Even though their dealers routinely wash their bikes with a hose and mitt everytime they detail one)

 

[SiteData]

I know of someone who pressure washers his Rune but if I’m ever accused I’ll refute it.

 

[JakesBoss]

I know of someone who pressure washers his Rune but if I’m ever accused I’ll refute it.

The water out of my well is so hard, I would never use it to wash car/truck or bike. Maybe the ATV but never the bike.

1/4 mile away is a spray & wash. I use the tire cleaner for the rims, tires and exhaust soot. I never let the nozzle get too close. When I rinse I use the deionized setting... fewer spots. I jump on to the highway 100 feet away. Run to the next exit at about 140 to 150. Pull back into my lot, wipe down any spots remaining. Total wash time including wipe down might be 15 to 20 minutes. Guaranteed when I pull into the local bike hangout those guys can't tell if I've spent 4 hours polishing or 20 minutes at the spray & wash.

BTW what ever the tire cleaner stuff is... I spray it on & rinse off. Soot and grime are gone, no scrubbing, rubbing or wiping. :!:

Don't get me wrong, once in a while I will take the time and put it on the lift and give it a little love and wax. Total wax time might be 1 to 2 beers. Generally when it's up on the lift, the buddies are dropping in, so actual love and wax time is about 10 minutes max. The rest of the time is trash talk, since we all ride something different.

 

[hogzilla]

Jakesboss,

I am going to try that. I hate washing these bikes and by the time I get to town the bike is dirty so this sounds like the thing to do. The only bikes I ever pamper are my customs the rest of them.....well they were bought to ride.

Great tip on the cleaning Oh by the way is the water harder in the winter then summer? This condtion in the north is cause due to the low temperatures. After extensive research in the United States by our top scientists it has been concluded that low temperatures causes water to harden. If the temperature drops below 32 degrees the water will turn rock hard. The great thing about this is that it really is refreshing to place into a glass of tea. The bad thing is if you use it in this state it could damage your paint and cause denting on sheet metal. So good call going to where the water is softer.