K11 Owners Group

Jim · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:25 am Post subject: detailing

Finally got around to doing something I've been wanting to do since I rode the K back from Scottsdale - get the damn bug splats off of it. Wash, clay bar, ScratchX (the only thing I've found that will remove the bug splats - clay bar wouldn't take them off), Imperial hand glaze, then wax.

It's starting to look pretty good - but I'd really like to take all the body work off and do it right. I did take the luggage, side panels and windshield off.

It makes me kind of sad to see all the rock chips - but I guess that's what I get for riding it...

If the weather holds, and I get it looking the way I want it, I'll post some pix.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:03 am Post subject:

I don't even bother to wash my bikes anymore. I hit them with either Mothers and Mequiars Cleaner Wax. Great stuff because you only have to go over the bike once to clean and wax. And it gets rid of bug splat - even if you've left it on the bike for months. Rolling Eyes

And PlastX for the windscreen......
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:01 am Post subject:

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:56 am Post subject: detailing

Bugs can be tough once dried on.

Old tricks I have used on bugs are...

Go Jo waterless hand cleaner, the NON abrasive kind.

Avon " Skin So Soft " hand cream, this comes in a bug repellant formula so less stuff to caryy whil on the road.

I am thinking there are some others out there too that work.

Just slather them on, let it sit while you sip a beverage, rub gently with a clean cloth, let it sit some more and you sip some more, then hose off.
On particularly buggy rides, like once whipping around lake " Peppin " in MN one late August night, I just applied & turned in for the night. All slides right of fthe next day.
Go Jo can affect some wax's though and you may need/want to apply again.
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1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

Jim · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:12 pm Post subject:

Guess I should have been a little clearer in my original post. It wasn't the actual bugs I was trying to get off - they're long gone. It's the streaks they leave in the clear coat. I'm pretty sure the ScratchX got them out - I'll have to take another look.

I know that hydrogen peroxide will remove fresh bugs/bug splat.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject:

Until recently I was a fanatic about keeping the bike clean.

Then it became my only transportation this summer and with all the rain we had plus the 1/3 mile dirt road to get home.

Now I spend more time riding and occasionally clean it.
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Jim · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject: detailing

I was never fanatic about keeping the bike clean. I don't know that I've washed it even once a year. I still wouldn't say I'm fanatic about it by any means, I just thought it would be nice to give it a little cosmetic TLC - and get the bug juice off of it. I'm not even dealing with the tail section at this point - it has so much cosmetic damage it needs to come off the bike and go to the paint shop.

I have to say, I'm very pleased with the results at this point. The bug juice is gone - the K is looking good.

Now I'm tackling the shield. It didn't get as good as I want it with PlastX. I'd like to get in on a large buffing wheel with some compound, but I haven't figured out how to make that happen.

If I get the top box and side bags done tomorrow, I'll post some pix.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Don Sproule · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject: detailing

Hey Jim,

Is that a stock shield on your LT?
If it is, I wouldn't recommend a buffing wheel or even an aggressive attack with a polishing compound. The screen has a kind of coating on it that will go pear shaped on you if you treat it harshly.

Don S

Jim · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject: stock screen

hey Don - that crappy coating started peeling off by itself - up to that point I hadn't used anything but water on it - and Plexus. This is the second shield I've had the coating start to peel. Screw that coating crap! It's getting some pretty harsh treatment right now - and looking better than ever.

Yeah, I'd like to get the shield on a bigass buffing wheel with some polishing rouge and make it look good again.

Actually - this screen was damaged when I got the bike - someone used paper towels on it...

It still looks better than ever.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Jim · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:02 am Post subject: detailing

The time spent on the bike was well worth it. When I get back from a ride now, a quick wash, a squirt and a wipe with some detailer, and it's like new again. The bugs wash right off, and don't leave bug streaks in the clear coat. Next time I'll take all the body work off so I can clean behind it.

shield and mirrors off

_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

mnb · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:

Sweet lookin' bike! I love that color combo.
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M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

Off the grid · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:52 am Post subject:

Well done Jim!
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
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owrstrich · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:56 pm Post subject:

that motobrick cleans up nice there jimboner...

i was wondering if you were going to ride it home from the barrett jackson in scottsdale...

i saw you on the speed channel bidding on this...

johnny
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