cleaning the scooter and gas

Oli · Post by **Oli** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:46 pm

No such thing as a stupid question?

How should I clean the exterior of my scooter? any places that I should avoid getting water (other liquids)?

And I usually fill up just before it gets to the red section of the gauge. When in the red, how much fuel/ miles (roughly) do I have left?

Thanks

Oli

Lil Buddy · Post by **Lil Buddy** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:19 pm

Welcome to MB!

Fuel capacity is listed at anywhere from 1.3 to 1.8 gallons. I think most specs say 1.3. So if you fill up at the red line, and put 1.1 gallons in, you still have .2 gallons in the tank. But don't push it...... just because you have some in the tank doesn't mean you should keep riding.

To wash your Buddy, members here have used anything from expensive car wash soap and wax, lemon pledge or just plain old rain water.

See this link for more washing answers:
viewtopic.php?t=8425&highlight=wash

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:43 pm

Oli wrote:And I usually fill up just before it gets to the red section of the gauge. When in the red, how much fuel/ miles (roughly) do I have left?

In my experience, even though the red section of the gauge looks like a quarter of the tank, it reflects less than that in actual miles to go. So if you're getting 100 miles to the tank, don't expect to get 25 miles in the red. It's been a while since I've run it all the way down, but to be safe I usually figure I've got another 10 miles or so when it reaches that part of the scale.

yeauxkneauxit · Post by **yeauxkneauxit** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:00 pm

ive got some awesome stuff from my dealer..its sort of a blue and gray spray can. its a cleaner that you spray on and basically wipe off. its great! no water spots, etc. i asked them what i can use and its pretty much all purpose

i can't remember the name, but i'll try and post up some other time.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:13 pm

yeauxkneauxit wrote:ive got some awesome stuff from my dealer..its sort of a blue and gray spray can. its a cleaner that you spray on and basically wipe off. its great! no water spots, etc. i asked them what i can use and its pretty much all purpose

i can't remember the name, but i'll try and post up some other time.

Plexus, I believe, is what it's called.

As for the Gas Gage:
Each gas gage is different just slightly. The best way to find out is get a small gas can and put a gallon in it. Go ride your Buddy and take note of the mileage at the red, then run it dry. Fill up the tank with the spare gas that you've brought along.

Welcome to MB. Be sure to check out the new member area and the FAQ section. You might find some useful info there.

Lil Buddy · Post by **Lil Buddy** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:33 pm

Plexus looks like good stuff...... but what about a cleaner for flat (not glossy) plastic? Plexus says it leaves a shinny finish.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:34 am

Lil Buddy wrote:Plexus looks like good stuff...... but what about a cleaner for flat (not glossy) plastic? Plexus says it leaves a shinny finish.

Water.

I seriously get a kick out of these questions. Any time I want to make my scooter look like new, I turn a hose on it and let it dry. It works every time (all 3 times) I've tried it. For really tough stuff, Simple Green cleans just about anything.

For clear plastic (windshields, speedo, helmet visor) the Plexus stuff is supposed to be the cat's meow. But for the rest of the bike? Water.

For those that have all the chrome accessories, use Neverdull about once a month.

Lil Buddy · Post by **Lil Buddy** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:25 am

Yeah water on the Black Jack helps, but doesn't get ride of all the spots. Water on my old creme Buddy was fine. The only time I "washed" it was when I dried it off after riding in the rain.

yeauxkneauxit · Post by **yeauxkneauxit** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 12:32 pm

Motorcycle stuff- spray cleaner and polish! This stuff is GREAT!

No water spots, shines, easy to use. My dealersays that the company went out of business. If you can't find it call university scooters Dallas and order it. 8.95/can. Apparently the ordered a lot when the company was about to fold.

This stuff is perfect for my needs, apartment living doesn't afford the conveniences most often for water, hoses, etc

yeauxkneauxit · Post by **yeauxkneauxit** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 12:34 pm

FYI black buddy 125

yeauxkneauxit · Post by **yeauxkneauxit** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:24 pm

Heres the can

yeauxkneauxit · Post by **yeauxkneauxit** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:28 pm

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Ori ... 19842.html

apparently, the motorcycle stuff is an aerosol product (i guess) and the replacement stuff here does the same thing but not aerosol..just a guess. you'ld have to look deeper...but motorcycle stuff is awesome

sorry for all the posts but...anyways you got the scoop

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:39 pm

I use the same Meguire's car soap that I use on my car to wash my scoot. It has wax in it so I don't have to wax afterwards....not that it's possible to wax the pebbly finish that's on a 2006 Blur anyway. I don't cover anything, just hose it down, soap it up, hose it down then dry it with a chammy. Of course, I don't aim the hose down the exhaust outlet, though.

Oli · Post by **Oli** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:24 am

Thanks for all the advice. need to wash it soon.

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:00 am

I hand wash all my bikes (and my Pontiac Solstice), and the reason is that you get to touch all the parts and make sure things are as they should be. You can do a safety inspection when you wash your bike. I am using Turtle Wax Ice car wash from other people's recommendations, and it's a good product. It doesn't leave a lot of spotting, which makes it easier when you put the protective coat on. USE MICROFIBER CLOTHS FOR EVERY STEP OF CLEANING. Wal-Mart sells a bag of 12 microfiber cloths for $5 (they are the ugly red haired step child of the microfiber world) and they work just as well as the premium cloths.

Plexus is good. You can't go wrong with using it as the scooter is almost entirely plastic.

Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish OMG (Motorcycle Spirits is the knock off product of this stuff) I've been using this for a long time and it beats Plexus, because it cleans EVERYTHING. Plastic, metal, rubber, chrome, glass, everything. Pick it up at your local Honda MC dealer, or check your Honda car dealer as well. Runs about $6 a can and is cheaper than Plexus.

And then there is Mequiar's Ultimate Quik Wax http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G17516. This stuff is really good on metal and leaves a tougher coat than either Plexus or Honda polish.

I don't like spending a lot of time cleaning and waxing, so I always use the fastest product with the best results, and these are the ones that have worked the best so far for me.

I would also keep around some 3M adhesive and wax remover http://www.amazon.com/3M-03618-Aerosol- ... B000BQYA7W for the road grime and other hard stuff that gets on the underside of your scooter. Amazing stuff.

I've had a lot of toys over the years and have gone through many, many, many products. These are all fast, cheap, and effective.

easy · Post by **easy** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:41 pm

Dont use shinny stuff on the tires or the seat.

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:48 pm

easy wrote:Dont use shinny stuff on the tires or the seat.

good one....The tire cleaners and shiners being sold, ARE NOT for motorcycle or scooter tires. I know that Honda Polish doesn't make the seat slippery, and does protect it somewhat. I'm not sure if there is a product that protects the seat on MC's and scooters from UV rays but doesn't make the seat slick. Would be worth looking into.

Modern Buddy

cleaning the scooter and gas

cleaning the scooter and gas

Re: cleaning the scooter and gas