I remove the fuel tank and clean the motorcycle.

I remove the fuel tank and clean the motorcycle.

I removed and reinstalled the carburetor during the tuning process. Along with that, I also cleaned the motorcycle. There are mainly four things I do:

①. Clean the chrome parts
②. Polish the wheels
③. Clean the exterior
④. Apply silicone spray to the engine
Let me explain.

①. I use chrome polish for the chrome parts. Since it's a USA-made product, it gets incredibly shiny. Japanese products don't seem to achieve the same level of shine. I suspect it may contain ingredients that can't be used in Japan.

②. I clean the bare aluminum wheels, which have had the anodized layer removed. I polish the aluminum using a compound. I’ve tried various products, but Mothers is my favorite. USA-made chemicals are incredibly effective.

③. For the exterior, I first wipe it down with a cloth soaked in dish soap, then finish with a coating agent. I use Wakos products. Though it's a Japanese brand, it delivers a shine close to USA-made products.

④. Since the engine is unpainted, it’s not the best practice, but I apply silicone spray to it. I'm aiming for both rust prevention and a shiny finish. After riding, the engine gets dirty and blackened, but right after the application, it looks nice and clean. It's better than letting it rust easily. Silicone spray doesn't harm rubber or plastic parts.
I’m posting on my blog to show what it's like when I disassemble my CBX1000, and I'd like to include some photos to illustrate the process. So, let’s get started!

CBX1000 – Before Cleaning

I hadn’t cleaned it in a long time, so it’s pretty dirty. In my opinion, if the wheels and chain are clean, the whole motorcycle looks clean. If you're someone who focuses mainly on cleaning the exterior, I recommend trying to clean the wheels and chain as well. You’ll be surprised at how clean it looks.

CBX1000 – With the fuel tank removed

I frequently remove and reinstall the fuel tank, but I’ve never consciously taken photos of the process. Over 10 years ago, I had the entire frame repainted, but I was not satisfied with the result, possibly due to the shop's lack of skill. I only own one motorcycle, so when it's out of commission for long periods, I can't ride. If I get a second motorcycle, I'll consider repainting the frame.

Regarding the arrangement of the wiring

There are quite a lot of wires, but I think I’ve organized them fairly neatly. I use paper tape to label the destinations, making it easier to trace when disassembling. I haven’t cut the main harness; instead, I branch off from the lamps and other components to secure power.

CBX1000 – Attaching and Detaching the Saddlebags

I’ve added a bracket to attach the saddlebags. Ideally, I wouldn’t want to install something like this, but I’m very uncomfortable wearing a bag on my body, so I eventually settled on using saddlebags. I carry a minimal set of tools for adjusting the FCR, as well as things like a mask and zip ties.

Wheel Cleaning and Cylinder Head Cleaning

This time, I’m using Wakos Metal Compound for polishing. Since I usually polish seriously when I change the tires, this time I’m just giving it a quick shine. To get the wheels into this condition, I purchased a spare set of wheels and spent about three months slowly hand-polishing them to make them look nice.

As for cleaning the cylinder head, it’s difficult to polish when the tank is in place, so I use metal polish when the tank is off. Since aluminum and chrome are different materials, I use different chemicals for each. Although I’m not entirely sure of the reason, I feel that some chemicals aren’t very gentle on the material. There’s likely a downside to using them, so please be careful.

Especially with compounds, they’re not just chemicals but abrasives. They polish by removing some of the material, like aluminum, to create a shine.

I remove the fuel tank and clean the motorcycle.【summary】

Recently, I’ve been obsessed with the FCR. I’m happy to be able to write about things other than the FCR in my blog posts. Motorcycles are vehicles with exposed materials. They can be prone to rust and are vulnerable to rain. For owners who store their motorcycles outdoors, please take care of them.

Riding is not the only enjoyment that comes with motorcycles; customizing and maintaining them is also a big part of the fun. When cleaning, it’s wonderful to take on challenges in customization and maintenance as well.

So, everyone, please be careful of the rain, wind, and thunder, and enjoy your motorcycle life! See you again!