Yamaha XVS650KC Owner's Manual page 85

CLEANING
AND STORAGE
A.
CLEANING
Frequent,
thorough
cleaning of
your
motorcycle
will
not only
enhance
its
appearance
but
will
improve
its
gener-
al
performance and extend
the
useful
life
of
many
components.
ECA00002
CAUTION:
•
Improper cleaning can
damage
the cowlings, panels
and
other
plastic parts.
Use
only a
soft,
clean cloth or
sponge
with mild
detergent
and
water
to clean
plastic.
•
Do
not
use any harsh chemical
products
on
plastic parts.
Be
sure
to
avoid using
cloths or
sponges which
have been
in
contact with strong
or abrasive
cleaning products, solvent or
thinner, fuel (gasoline), rust
re-
movers
or
inhibitors,
brake
flu-
id,
antifreeze or
electrolyte.
1
.
Before cleaning the motorcycle:
a.
Block
off
the
end
of the
exhaust
pipes
to
prevent water
entry;
a
plastic
bag and
strong rubber
band
may
be
used.
b.
Make
sure the spark plugs
and
all
filler
caps are
properly
installed.
2.
If
the
engine case
is
excessively
greasy, apply
degreaser
with
a
paint brush.
Do
not apply de-
greaser
to
wheel
axles.
3.
Rinse
the
dirt
and
degreaser
off
with
a garden
hose.
Use
only
enough
pressure
to
do
the
job.
CAUTION:
Excessive
hose pressure
may
cause
water
seepage and
deteriora-
tion of
wheel bearings,
front fork,
brakes,
transmission
seals
and
electrical parts.
Many
expensive
repair
bills
have
re-
sulted
from improper
high pressure
detergent applications
such
as
those
available
in
coin-operated car
washers.
4.
After riding
on
salted roads,
wash
the motorcycle with cold water
im-
mediately.
Do
not
use
warm
wa-
ter
as
it
increases the chemical
reaction of
the
salt.
5.
Once
the majority of the
dirt
has
been hosed
off,
wash
all
surfaces
with
warm
water and
mild,
deter-
gent-type soap.
An
old toothbrush
or bottle
brush
is
handy
for
hard-
to-get-at places.
6.
Rinse the motorcycle
off
immedi-
ately with
clean towel
or soft
ab-
sorbent
cloth.
7-1