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Can Washing Cause Bike Trouble

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by HellBoy, Jan 8, 2009.

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  1. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    FLHTbiker, Jan 23, 2009
    #21
  3. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I've never had a problem with my bike after washing, however I try and not take it in the shower with me, basically there isn't enough room to do that anyway.
    hotroadking, Jan 23, 2009
    #22
  4. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    hehehehe,,,,,,,,,
    chucktx, Jan 23, 2009
    #23
  5. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    FLHT, thanks for those links, greatly appreciated. So, 20 w50 is your recommendation for a V-Twin like my 07 Dyna Street Bob?
    HellBoy, Jan 24, 2009
    #24
  6. AZroaddust

    AZroaddust New Member

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    What is this thing that some of you refer to as "rain"?
    AZroaddust, Jan 24, 2009
    #25
  7. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    it is something that doesnt happen in AZ. lol lol
    chucktx, Jan 24, 2009
    #26
  8. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    I just bought 4 quarts of Redline V-twin 20-50 W today at the HD dealer for my Ultra. I'm using the synthetic in it.
    FLHTbiker, Jan 24, 2009
    #27
  9. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    I wish I had a garage to do these things myself. Foolishly, I let some guy wash my bike at the car wash instead of a place that specializes in bike detailing. He dinged my brand new immaculate Carlini handlebars. It looks like a screwdriver head tapped it. Not the worst thing, but now I see it EVERY time I'm riding because it's right there, ugghh....
    HellBoy, Jan 24, 2009
    #28
  10. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    I've taken mine to a car wash where you wash them yourself while on road trips. I carry those yellow rags for cleaning up the water so it don't streak and the white ones for washing. Let them dry at night and ready for the next day. I think that I would wash my own before I would let them tough it again.
    FLHTbiker, Jan 24, 2009
    #29
  11. SPORSTERBOY

    SPORSTERBOY New Member

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    cool hellboy, didn't know you swaped out for a bt , traiter:roflmao: just joking, post some pics of it! oh, chuck it does rain in az, more like buckets when it does. got caught in a shower in tucson and with in 5 minutes it was flooded as high as the curb, when you look at a map it shows rivers, but there actually dry rivers till it rains
    SPORSTERBOY, Jan 24, 2009
    #30
  12. biker1953

    biker1953 New Member

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    Hi,
    I have the 5th gear whine on my 07 softail, at first I thought it was due to the windshield but after I realized it was my 5th gear doing it. It happens to me between 45 and 60 miles per hr. I told harley about it and they said it's the way I broke the bike in which is a lot of crap but, now here's two people with the 5th gear whine. Your bike got wet just like a car in a heavy rain storm blow it out good leave it in the sun for a while and run it for a couple of tank fulls.
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2009
    biker1953, Jan 24, 2009
    #31
  13. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    If you have the HD 6 speed you will get a whine in all of them in 5th gear,

    4th and 6th are helical cut gears and those are quiet, 5th is straight cut and will make more noise but it's stronger and it's done that way for a reason, strength, but JMO it wasn't necessary, baker isn't straight cut.

    Prior to the 6 speed all 5 speed gears are straight cut.

    So you could say 6th and 4th are quieter than normal thats why you hear 6th

    Run some Redline Heavy Shockproof gear oil in it, (pink stuff) and it should quiet it down quite a bit.

    ON a big twin 20w50 is the oil.
    I run Mobil 1 Vtwin as it's been the leader for a long time about $9 at any Auto parts store.
    hotroadking, Jan 26, 2009
    #32
  14. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    Thanks for clearing that up a bit HotRoadKing. Now I get it. I ride a lot between 45 and 60 mph. If I change to syn, I'm concerned the whine will bug me.

    FLHT, I noticed you got your Redline at an HD dealer. At my dealership,
    (NYC HD) I don't think they carry any synthetic other than Mobil 1. I'd love to be able to have them do the switch to syn, if I do go for it.

    As for washing the bike, I've learned a hard lesson, don't let someone else do it unless you've instructed them how to be very careful and explain what not to do clearly, such as don't bang the chrome with a dryer, uggghhh...
    HellBoy, Jan 27, 2009
    #33
  15. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Hellboy, the HD dealers here all carry Redline. I have heard that HD has said that putting Redline in the bike is acceptable with them now. Course adding any oil other than HD is still frowned upon by HD and if a motor goes away they say they can deny the warranty if they feel the oil used caused the problem. I have yet to ever hear of that happening. I wouldn't use regular automotive oil in my bike but a oil designated for a V-twin, HD would have a real hard time proving the oil caused a problem. I like Redline oil especially in the tranny and primary sure makes shifting better.
    I have never used Mobile 1 in the motor and have heard they make a V-twin syn. motor oil

    I've had many older Harley's and never heard a whine in the gears like the 5th gear in the six speed tranny does but the Redline Shock Proof in the tranny does help quiet it down.
    FLHTbiker, Jan 27, 2009
    #34
  16. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    HD cannot tell you who's oil to run in any part of the bike, all they can do is specify what grade of oil you can use at a miniumum

    Federal law prohibits a manufacturer from forcing consumers to use their specific products to validate warranty or, if they do the manufacturer must provide those products FREE OF CHARGE. It's called the Magnusson-Moss Act.
    hotroadking, Jan 28, 2009
    #35
  17. AZroaddust

    AZroaddust New Member

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    Yep, it sure does rain. Our wettest season is June & July and it's called the Monsoon Season, and we even get Hibabs. The only other place they occur is in the Sahara dessert. I was only joking.

    But you do bring up a most intersting point about rivers showing on maps. During WWII there were several POW camps in Arizona for Germans, usually from U boats.

    One group of POW's got their hands on a map of the area and cobbled together a raft to float down the nearby river to the ocean. To their surprise the river was dry when they got to it after sneaking around all night and they were recaptured. TRUE STORY:roflmao:
    AZroaddust, Jan 28, 2009
    #36
  18. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    That maybe true however if HD or any manufacture that sells a vehicle and that vehicle is under a warranty with them and a engine goes south you could be denied warranty if. They felt you did not follow the manufacturers recommended procedures and that could mean using the incorrect lubricants in the motor or tranny or not changing the oils at the recommended or specific intervals. I for one with a large investment like a newer HD motorcycle would not want the manufacture even doubting my methods or what type of oil I choose to put in the motor or Tranny.

    As long as the oil is specified for V-Twin and meets or exceeds the specification of the Harley oil you would be fine and HD could not say otherwise.
    FLHTbiker, Jan 28, 2009
    #37
  19. JohnnyReb

    JohnnyReb New Member

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    As far as washing goes...mine gets washed when it rains. Still runs pretty good.:rolleyes: ..

    As far as oil goes...I switched to AMSOIL (MCV) 20W50, and Severe Gear 75W110. No more whining...from the bike, either. Didn't make it a hot rod, but I gained the power I was losing due to friction loss. Starts quite a bit easier, idles a little smoother. Powerband is more consistent throughout the range as well.

    That's my shameless plug for my own business, and I'm an independent dealer.

    Will provide a link to my site if anyone wants, or has questions. Just PM if so.

    Thanks,

    JR
    JohnnyReb, Jan 29, 2009
    #38
  20. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Even if you use HD oil and you don't follow the schedule you can be denied, however, they have to prove that your actions caused the damage. so keep records, a book with mileage and date and a receipt of where you bought the oil, etc.

    Keep receipts if you DIY. As long as the oil meets HD's specifications or exceeds them there is nothing they can do to deny warranty. 20W-50 is 20W50 is 20W-50. Doesn't matter if it's Rotella, AmsOil, Redline, HD, Mobil1, Castrol Vtwin, HD's specs simply call for 20W-50. Again you can't be forced to use their oil unless HD gives it to you for free, federal law....


    Redline Heavy Shockproof exceeds HD's requirements for a transmission.

    Hellboy, run the redline heavy in that trans, syn won't increase the whine it should help eliminate it.
    hotroadking, Jan 29, 2009
    #39
  21. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    OK my friends, I've tried to upload an image to the thread. Hope I'm not opening a can f worms here ;) It's not a great photo, but the best I have at the moment..

    Attached Files:

    HellBoy, Jan 29, 2009
    #40
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