Well I was going to do my first oil change on my Sportster and did my pre-ride check of oil and tire pressure. Well either the oil cap blew out or I didn’t get it seated properly (my guess is operator error) so when I took off to warm the bike up, I got oil dumping everywhere on the right rear of the bike.

I turn around and head right back to the house, picking up the cap on the way, and begin wiping up the mess. Or course the oil is draining out of every nook and cranny of the right rear of the bike, including the tread of the tire.

So here are the questions:

What is the best way to clean up all these nook and crannies? I am thinking a bucket of water, with a little Wisk and a long bristle brush and just start scrubbing. Then a long low-pressure rinse with an open ended garden hose.

I know the drive belt is soaked in oil. How do properly clean the belt?

Will the old oil damage the drive belt in any way?

Is there any chance of the drive belt slipping or jumping the pulleys?

I have not seen any oil on the rotor, but I could probably clean that with a little carb cleaner.

Any and all suggesting are appreciated, even well deserved flaming.
Thanks

 

Simple Green!!!!!! just spray, and spray off. Works like a champ!

 

I use Super Clean (purple spray bottle)on the tough dirt.Make sure to follow the directions.Don't use a preasure washer it will distroy sealed bearings.

 

Simple green would be fine.

For removing oil exessive oil, I spray all of the oil parts down with WD-40, then rinse very well, and follow up with a soapy wash with a good car wash.

 

wow. time for a good scrubbin

 

S100 cycle cleaner is another alternative. Works really well. Spray on the hose off. Grease just drips away. I use a Mr. Clean car wash unit. Works really good and dries to a shine. Glad you didn't lay her down! Oil sucks.

 

Yeah, that soilent green stuff works well. I use it, and 409 and whatever else I can get my hands on. Also, plain laundry detergent in a bucket of warm water, sprayed on with one of those Harbor Freight siphon hose spray attachments for your compressor, then rince off with the water hose. Oil shouldn't hurt the drive belt. Oil on the brake rotor would be bad and if that happened, your brake pads are lilely shot also now (contaminated). You're probably OK, though, as the rotor is on the other side, right?

 

Yeah, rotor is on the opposite side of the oil tank/mess. No evidance any got on the rotor so brake pads should be fine.

Thanks for the suggestion guys.

 

Lots of stuff will work. I keep a 1 gal. tank sprayer just for washing the bike. I mix Simple Green double strength and spray the bike down, let it sit 10 minutes and spray again. Then hose off.

 

$1.50 and 4 minutes at the do-it-yourself car wash. Just keep the high pressure wand away from your axles and instrument faces. Works like a champ.