Dear All,

With the huge amount of knowledge and wisdom on this truly magnificent forum, is there anyone out there in cyberville who has a neat way of removing dead insects and tar that is splattered all over the front of the bike and helmet visor after a few days on the road, esp here in Aus. I've tried all manner of stuff (WD40, Bug and Tar Remover, Citrus oil, Eucalyptus oil, kerosene, etc etc. (Haven't tried hydrochloric acid yet, for fear of the collateral damage!!)

A foolproof solution could be a real earner!!

Cheers, Rickmeister.

Rickmeister,
I have used truck wash...CT18. Mix the stuff 1/3 water in a little spray bottle, spray on parts and leave for about an hour. Pressure cleaner will move it.
Your could try an angle grinder...it is quicker.
Stan

Try using a paste of bicarbonate soda and water on a sponge to rub a section then wash off with clean water. Probably try on an inconspicuous part first.

We have used it on the car fronts for many years.

Cheers

Stan wrote:Rickmeister,
I have used truck wash...CT18. Mix the stuff 1/3 water in a little spray bottle, spray on parts and leave for about an hour. Pressure cleaner will move it.
Your could try an angle grinder...it is quicker.
Stan

I just mix it the same, brush it on and Leave overnight and hose off in the morning.

Have you tried hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle?  It dissolves the insects.  Road tar? Not much help with that.

Turps will dissolve road tar and won t effect the bodywork, but will dissolve wax if you are a wax head. Not for ears.

If it is only a bug problem...degreaser could do the job. After all you are dealing with oil in the bug. What is the last thing that goes through a bug's head when it hits the windscreen?.....It's bum.

I use Autoglym intensive Tar remover.
formulated specifically for the task, and goes a great job at dissolving that black road tar.

Lasts a long time and does a great job. Expensive to buy, but I suppose it depends on how much you value your time. 

G'day all, just tried the C18 mixture as suggested by Stan and Smithy. After last weekend's ride of nearly 2000km, plenty of bugs were collected on the way. The C18 mixture worked a treat for the bugs but the tar is another story. Thank you for that idea. Cheers Tom

I use NAPTHA .It won't hurt paint ( we use it to clean paint between coats) and it's cheap

If you are going for a decent long  ride ...why not just use some of this stuff..cheap and easy, and a temporary bonus colour change too if you want it; with original paint protected and retained. Just leave enough of it  over hanging to grab so you can peel it off with both the bugs and tar... make sure you get something plastic/fairing compatible

.....https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/shop-by.../paint-and.../vinyl.../removable-paint ......


or check videos on removable vinyl car paint video you tube

If you don't want to change the colour it is available from Rust-Oleum and Plasti Dip in clear. I nearly used it to protect my belly pan but ended up using bed liner.
Regards Martin.

When I travel on the bike and stay in hotels at the end of the day I just wrap my helmet in a towel soaked in hot water and leave it overnight.  In the morning the bugs just slide off.  Can't help too much with road tar, though.

nvboy