Cleaning Your Buell

Top of page

Aluminum parts must be maintained regularly to retain their original shine and luster. Frequently clean and wax your new Buell motorcycle to inhibit rust and corrosion.

To aid you in keeping your motorcycle clean, see a Buell dealer for cleaning, touch-up, polishing and waxing products.

Observe warnings on labels of cleaning compounds. Failure to follow warnings could result in death or serious injury. (00076a)

Do not wash brake discs with cleaners containing chlorine or silicone. Cleaners containing chlorine and silicone can impair brake function, which could result in death or serious injury. (00077a)

Do not use abrasive cleaners on frame, side stand, swingarm and wheels. The finish on these parts could be damaged if abrasive cleaners are used. (00244a)

Molded-In-Color Body Panel Care

Top of page

Molded-In-Color Surfaces

Use of abrasive products or powered buffing equipment will cause permanent cosmetic damage to body panels. Use only recommended products and techniques outlined in this manual to avoid damaging body panels. (00245b)

Do not use touch-up paint on molded-in-color body panels. Use of touch-up paint can damage finish. (00246a)

The body panels feature molded-in-color technology. The color pigment is mixed in with the material when the part is made, not applied over the surface. Molded-in-color panels require different maintenance than painted surfaces to maintain their original shine. Using methods that work on painted surfaces may ruin the finish of molded-in-color parts.

Recommended Products

Products recommended for the proper care and maintenance of molded-in-color body panels are listed below:

• HARLEY WASH (Part No. 99715-90) or HARLEY SUN WASH (Part No. 94659-98).
• HARLEY GLOSS (Part No. 94627-98).
• HARLEY GLAZE POLISH AND SEALANT (Part No. 99701-84).
• HARLEY SWIRL AND SCRATCH TREATMENT (Part No. 94655-98).

Washing

To wash molded-in-color panels follow the instructions below:

1. Rinse surface with water.

2. Wash with Harley Wash or Harley Sun Wash.

3. Rinse surface thoroughly with water.

4. Dry with a clean chamois or soft dry natural fiber cloth.

Cleaning Between Washings

Untreated molded-in-color body panels sometimes have a static charge that attracts dust. Applying Harley Gloss or Harley Glaze Polish and Sealant to molded-in-color surfaces will eliminate this condition.

To keep a high gloss finish on molded-in-color panels follow the instructions below:

1. Spray Harley Gloss onto surface and wipe with a clean soft natural fiber cloth or Harley Softcloth.

NOTE:


Rain or water will remove Harley Gloss from body panels.

2. Reapply Harley Gloss as required to keep surfaces looking their best.

Polishing

Polishing molded-in-color body panels results in greater surface gloss and a protective coating.

Apply Harley Glaze Polish and Sealant every six months or as required to keep molded-in-color panels protected and looking their best.

1. Clean and dry surfaces to be polished. See Washing.

2. Apply Harley Glaze Polish and Sealant to clean, slightly dampened cloth or sponge and apply to surface with a light overlapping motion. Make sure to cover all areas.

3. Let Harley Glaze Polish and Sealant dry to a haze and buff off residue with a clean soft cloth or Harley Softcloth.

Minor Scratch Removal

Use of abrasive products or powered buffing equipment will cause permanent cosmetic damage to body panels. Use only recommended products and techniques outlined in this manual to avoid damaging body panels. (00245b)

To remove minor scratches from body panels follow the instructions below:

1. To remove light surface scratches and rubs, use Harley Swirl and Scratch Treatment as recommended.

2. Make sure Swirl and Scratch Treatment is applied with a moist cloth and by hand (not by machine).

3. After scratch or rub has been repaired, polish surface lightly with Harley Glaze.

NOTE:


Black body panels are more prone to suffer permanent cosmetic damage if attempts to remove scratches are overdone.

Major Scratch Removal

There is no repair procedure for severely scratched surfaces. Severely scratched body panels must be replaced.

Cloth Care

Top of page

1. Vacuum or blow dust off.

2. Use mild soap and warm water for more difficult stains on the cloth. Rinse thoroughly. Always allow cloth to dry completely before using.

Vinyl Care

Top of page

Wash with a good quality detergent or S100^®.

Wheel Care: Blast Models

Top of page

To maintain the original luster and appearance of the wheels on your Buell motorcycle, clean and polish wheels as often as possible to inhibit rust and corrosion. Damage from harsh chemicals, acid based wheel cleaners, brake dust and lack of maintenance can occur. Regular washing and the use of a corrosion protectant will help to maintain their original appearance.

Harley-Davidson WHEEL AND TIRE CLEANER (Part No. 94658-98) is recommended for cleaning wheels and tires. Then use HARLEY GLOSS™ (Part No. 94627-98) to protect the wheel surfaces.

Buell recommends the following products:

• WHEEL AND TIRE CLEANER (Part No. 94658-98): cleaner/degreaser for wheels, tires and engine.
• HARLEY GLOSS™ (Part No. 94627-98): all purpose surface protection the provides UV protection and a gloss finish.

See a Buell dealer for cleaning, polishing and waxing products.