What do you use to clean the brake dust & chain lube off the white wheels?

Some day I am going to powder coat the wheels black. White looks good in a dealership, but damn, it's a bad choice for most real world riders, at least those of us who aren't willing to set aside an hour every weekend for bike cleaning.

In addition to making the wheels black, I'd like to paint the bottom part of the body black, just the same as the 750 Paso and add the pin-striping used on the 750. I think the 750 was the best looking bike ever made. I can still remember the moment in 1986 when I saw it for the first time, on the cover of Cycle magazine. I was stunned. At that time, there were two bikes on my list of "Bikes I Must Have (someday)". My list went from two bikes to three that day. It took 20 years, but I finally have all three. There still isn't a #4 on my list. I think I'm set for life.

I still have that magazine.

I clean them with Fulcron by Arexons.
Really effective.
But, since I have got 2 couple of rims, I'm planning to paint a couple. BLACK OR DARK GREEN!!!!!

Ciao

what ever you do with the rims, if you put a coat of high gloss clear paint on top of the color you want, they will be much more easy to clean. the high gloss coat is totally closed and not permeable as plain coat are.
this can be done both on two pack coats as on powdercoating.

ducbertus

i have had very good luck using any one of the meguiars spray waxes.
i place the bike on its center stand - sit down on one side of it - spray the wax lightly on the rear rim - let the wax dry - then turn the rim with one hand and wipe it with a clean cloth in the other hand. then simply repeat the procedure for the other side.
i do the same for the front rims but need to move the bike slightly to get the part under the fender.
whole job takes maybe ten to fifteen minutes, tops.
the results are really great.

I've had joy just using WD 40, CRC or some proprietary spray lube, spray onto a cleaning cloth /rag (Not onto wheels) and simply wipe down ,turning cloth often. When complete wipe down again with a clean cloth. My wheels are only 12000 kms so are relatively pristine. I think the important part of keeping clean (especially rear) is not to overdo chain lube and wipe off excess.I do admit that they are a bit of a pain , but the bike just would not retain its full character without them.
Often individuality comes at a price, and as they say, " Adversity has its own reward ". The mongrel who thought that up, should be strung up! Or as one of our esteemed colleagues on this site says "Tortured and Killed". ...Very Smart Operator!
Marty

I use the same method. I find WD40 first sprayed on a rag can be used to protect many parts of the bike. Especially if it is laid up for some time in a cold and damp environment i.e. the U.K.

Try Boeshield in place of WD40, especially for uncoated aluminum parts. I like the Meguiars cleaner/wax for the white wheels, brake dust will wipe right off between recoats.

The WD spray works as a degreaser and breaks the muck away but it also traps grit and dust if it is left on...you need to remove the grit carefully or it will scratch into the paint surface - allowing more scum to collect. It needs to be smooth and dry to stay clean.

I like Mr Sheen for just about everything...
I learned this years ago from a friend's mother who was an obsessive compulsive cleaner.

but NEVER EVER do the seat with Mr Sheen - it's very slippery when wet / in the rain.
you will be left at the traffic lights one day and the bike will be a gonner...
and keep it away from the grips and foot pegs, too.

WD40 first sprayed on a rag for me.

A good wax spray polish can be used with good efect to protect paintwork, wheels and chrome, and as Laddie907 said DON'T get it on your seat OR brake discs.

I have found the best thing to clean the wheels with is brasso on a rag, followed by a coat of good quality wax. I have also used jif, which is great for cutting through heavy grease. I tend to keep away from the Mr Sheen, because it contains silicone and becomes a nightmare should i ever need painting done.

I have used Whizzo Wheels in the past, but whilst it removes all the gunk very quickly, if you do not remove all of it asap, it can leave a black stain which looks absolutely awful.

This happened to me and I have tried everything to get rid of it, including those suggestions above, and nothing has got rid of them.

Bryn

Too tired to clean allways those white wheels, so i painted my wheel to "gun metal" (dark metal grey) and happy since. Also same time lower part(as in 750 Paso) of 907 fairings to same colour..... happy since!

I use 409 cleaner/degreaser followed by some Meguiar's Cleaner Wax.