Need a Cleaner For Black Engine Cases?

[ThomWV]

The engine and cylinder's on my bike are powder coated matte black. In contrast with the chrome it is a very nice look when its new but the black dulls to a pasty dark gray over time and it just seemed impossible to get it looking like new again.

Last week I got turned on to an engine cleaner that was supposed to work on the cases. Its called S-100, a German made product. So I bought a can of it (small can, very expensive) and gave it a try.

Wow!

The stuff is magic in a can. My engine was clean, other than water spots, to start with and it was cool as directed on the can's instructions. So I gingerly began to spray the stuff lightly on the cases. The effect was instant, it restored the fresh deep matte black finish on contact. The stuff dries almost immediately and leaves no residue, although I did take a rag to a couple of spots where I had applied it a little bit to heavy.

And that's it, all I have to say about the stuff. I got it at the local Harley Davidson dealer's parts counter. I couldn't find it anywhere else. A 4.5 oz can cost about $9 and was enough to do my engine/primary/transmission with about a third of a can left over. I would recommend it to anyone.

[matcom]

1. NICE!

now about those water spots on the chrome... :D

any ideas?

[HamstersFromHell]

3. Get a good wax...

and a real chamois.

Spray bike all over with S-100, let sit 2-3 minutes, hose off. (Might actually have to rub an extra grungy spot or two.)

Dry with chamois and wax everything not painted wrinkle black.

From now till the wax goes away, cleanup is simple, and using the chamois to dry will leave no water spots.

[HamstersFromHell]

2. When I was a mechanic at a Harley dealer back in '89...

the "shop gophers" used S-100 Total Cycle on every customer bike that came in for service.

Once customers saw their effortlessly shiny bikes, it sold itself. Simply amazing stuff.

I'm guessing you used the engine brightener?

Here's the link to S-100's web site: http://www.s100.com/

Do yourself a favor, pick it up in the 5 liter size...much cheaper that way.

Amazon retailers sell it cheaply enough.

http://www.amazon.com/S100-CLEANER-5L/dp/B000WK4EC8/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1210550110&sr=8-3

[guitar man]

4. s-100 rocks

I love it, I get lot of road grime on my bike from commuting in less than ideal weather, a little s-100 and some sponging gets it bright and shiny in no time ;)

[Robb]

5. I've always had the ethic

"Time spent cleaning bikes is time not riding bikes." Probably the off-road background, no one would accuse me of spending too much time cleaning my motorbike. :D

That said, I can appreciate a sharp-looking shiny shiny shiny bike. And anything that speeds getting there up can't be a bad thing. :thumbsup: