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First wash (coin-op type)

SportsterDoc

SportsterDoc

New member
2886 miles on the clock after the Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon, Zion run yesterday.
It was fairly clean when I left, but 545 miles of road grime was more than I wanted to tackle with a wet towel.

Good opportunity to let engine cool, as a prospective Ryker owner stopped by the wash bay, while I was setting up the forward/reverse lever to a neutral position, so I could push the Ryker to rotate wheels for full coverage. BTW, this is why locking the transmission lock lever (not a brake) is not so effective.

Local wash is moderate pressure, plenty of detergent and a powerful blow dryer.
Did not get too close with the wand (owner's manual page 119) and she started immediately after drying.

3 miles home at 40+ MPH completed the drying....being over 90 F at 8 AM helped!

The glove box seal worked well.
 

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I have used car wash wands for over 50 years and have found if you don't pull the trigger you get a light gentle spray that still cleans. I give short bursts to troublesome bug deposits and stains and stay away from dash and wheels.

BTW thank you for those beautiful pictures. Next time up You need to go to Kolob Reservoir, Kolob Canyon, Veyo Pies, and the Parowan Gap. Maybe if there is time Calf Creek Falls and ride the Hogsback. Some many rides, so little time. :clap::yes:
 
I think people worry way too much over manual car washes. I use my local one for the wheels, and general underneath cleaning. Then go home, wipe it down and call it good. Always turns out just fine. :-)
 
pegasus1300 said:
...Next time up You need to go to Kolob Reservoir, Kolob Canyon, Veyo Pies, and the Parowan Gap. Maybe if there is time Calf Creek Falls and ride the Hogsback. Some many rides, so little time. :clap::yes:
Click to expand...

The road to Kolob Reservoir is about mile 5 on highway 14. I did go up it a few miles. Great views of highway14 and Cedar City.

When I got to the new sub-divison, built on the hillside, overlooking Cedar City, I asked the driver of a parked truck how much farther to the reservoir. He stated another ~16 miles, so I turned around. Just not enough hours in the day.
 
Been washing engines since 1964.
I avoid the alternator or cover it.
The only issue has been drying out distributor caps.
Even if engine is kept running, condensation can be an issue.

In 1968, I drove a 2 1/2 ton truck too fast across the Tarlac River between Clark Air Base (Philippines) and Crow Valley Bombing range.
It died mid river (about 300 feet wide). Water was 2-3 feet deep.
I removed T shirt from under uniform, crawled out the window onto a fender, removed the distributor cap, dried it with the sacrificial T shirt, crawled back into the cab, started it up and drove out of the river.
 
SportsterDoc said:
The road to Kolob Reservoir is about mile 5 on highway 14. I did go up it a few miles. Great views of highway14 and Cedar City.

When I got to the new sub-divison, built on the hillside, overlooking Cedar City, I asked the driver of a parked truck how much farther to the reservoir. He stated another ~16 miles, so I turned around. Just not enough hours in the day.
Click to expand...
Not sure where you were going but Kolob Reservoir is the road off of Ut 9 at Virgin. Unless you have 4 wheel drive there is no access from Ut14. Ut14 is a great ride. Especially over to Cedar Breaks and down into Parowan or Panguich.(gotta love those Utah names). And yes if you were short on time you were a long way from Kolob.
 
pegasus1300 said:
Not sure where you were going but Kolob Reservoir is the road off of Ut 9 at Virgin. Unless you have 4 wheel drive there is no access from Ut14. Ut14 is a great ride. Especially over to Cedar Breaks and down into Parowan or Panguich.(gotta love those Utah names). And yes if you were short on time you were a long way from Kolob.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have seen the turn-off from highway 9, which is 25 miles to the reservoir.
From highway 14 it is about 24 miles.
I got past Top of "C" trail parking, about 5 miles.
The road was paved (not recent) no centerline and typical speed about 30 MPH.
The sub-division referenced is in the bottom left of the aerial view.

I took photos of the sign, which I texted to my wife (she always wants to know where to pick up the body), but did not save, nor the views of 14 or Cedar City.
 

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SportsterDoc said:
I have been washing engines since 1964.
I avoid the alternator or cover it.
The only issue has been drying out distributor caps.
Even if engine is kept running, condensation can be an issue.

In 1968, I drove a 2 1/2 ton truck too fast across the Tarlac River between Clark Air Base (Philippines) and Crow Valley Bombing range.
It died mid river (about 300 feet wide). Water was 2-3 feet deep.
I removed T shirt from under uniform, crawled out the window onto a fender, removed the distributor cap, dried it with the sacrificial T shirt, crawled back into the cab, started it up and drove out of the river.
Click to expand...

:cheers:

That's a fantastic story! Thanks for sharing.
 
SportsterDoc said:
Good opportunity to let engine cool, as a prospective Ryker owner stopped by the wash bay, while I was setting up the forward/reverse lever to a neutral position, so I could push the Ryker to rotate wheels for full coverage. BTW, this is why locking the transmission lock lever (not a brake) is not so effective..
Click to expand...

I've seen this mentioned a few times. Can you explain a little better what you're referring to? Are you saying even with the lock engaged and the transmission set to "neutral" that it will still roll? Because mine does not function that way and will still remain locked.
 
SportsterDoc said:
Yes, I have seen the turn-off from highway 9, which is 25 miles to the reservoir.
From highway 14 it is about 24 miles.
I got past Top of "C" trail parking, about 5 miles.
The road was paved (not recent) no centerline and typical speed about 30 MPH.
The sub-division referenced is in the bottom left of the aerial view.

I took photos of the sign, which I texted to my wife (she always wants to know where to pick up the body), but did not save, nor the views of 14 or Cedar City.
Click to expand...

Wow a new road. I'll have to ride that soon.
 
mjl99 said:
I've seen this mentioned a few times. Can you explain a little better what you're referring to? Are you saying even with the lock engaged and the transmission set to "neutral" that it will still roll? Because mine does not function that way and will still remain locked.
Click to expand...

I stand corrected, as it would not do it for me in the garage, this morning.

The first time it happened, I was parked on a grade, changing from F to R and it rolled and I was sure the trans was locked.

At the car wash, it was not locked, when I moved the lever between F and R to roll it easily with one hand.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
SportsterDoc said:
Been washing engines since 1964.
I avoid the alternator or cover it.
The only issue has been drying out distributor caps.
Even if engine is kept running, condensation can be an issue.

In 1968, I drove a 2 1/2 ton truck too fast across the Tarlac River between Clark Air Base (Philippines) and Crow Valley Bombing range.
Click to expand...

I removed T shirt from under uniform, crawled out the window onto a fender, removed the distributor cap, dried it with the sacrificial T shirt, crawled back into the cab, started it up and drove out of the river.
Click to expand...

Those Duce and a Half's are pretty much indestructible.
 
How times have changed! Many years ago someone asked if they could wash their Spyder in a coin op car wash. I answered yes with some normal cautions of course. Then a whole lot of folks piled on saying what a terrible idea that is. I even got a couple pms questioning my intelligence. I am happy to see times have changed for the better. Water will not hurt Rykers or Spyders. Within reason of course.
 
billybovine said:
How times have changed! Many years ago someone asked if they could wash their Spyder in a coin op car wash. I answered yes with some normal cautions of course. Then a whole lot of folks piled on saying what a terrible idea that is. I even got a couple pms questioning my intelligence. I am happy to see times have changed for the better. Water will not hurt Rykers or Spyders. Within reason of course.
Click to expand...

Bottom line is "keep the water pressure down on the lower side". I only crank it up while rinsing up under the Max Mount on my Rally. I've gotten tired of dirt and road grime always up back there. A full rear fender is on the way. (next rainy day project)
 
SportsterDoc said:
Been washing engines since 1964.
I avoid the alternator or cover it.
The only issue has been drying out distributor caps.
Even if engine is kept running, condensation can be an issue.

In 1968, I drove a 2 1/2 ton truck too fast across the Tarlac River between Clark Air Base (Philippines) and Crow Valley Bombing range.
It died mid river (about 300 feet wide). Water was 2-3 feet deep.
I removed T shirt from under uniform, crawled out the window onto a fender, removed the distributor cap, dried it with the sacrificial T shirt, crawled back into the cab, started it up and drove out of the river.
Click to expand...

I helped out a retired couple one day that drown there little chevy pick up in the middle of a stream in northern Maine, when my wife and I found them they where hanging out on there windows stitting on the doors looking at each other with the water half way up the fenders! Stretched the winch cable out while the old man came to shore and got the hook. Pulled them to the bank to the base of a really good hill, got my tool box out and took the plugs out and spun the motor over till it pumped out all the water!! Took the cap and rotor out and sprayed it with WD40, put it all back together and fired the old girl up, but, the head gasket had blown out so it was running on two out of four holes!! Not good for them, they were 40 miles from any black road! I got them up the hill and ended towing them to the ranger station where he called his son to come get him with a trailer!! You should have seen this road I pulled him threw,, boy they got a ride!!!:roflblack:
 
billybovine said:
How times have changed! Many years ago someone asked if they could wash their Spyder in a coin op car wash. I answered yes with some normal cautions of course. Then a whole lot of folks piled on saying what a terrible idea that is. I even got a couple pms questioning my intelligence. I am happy to see times have changed for the better. Water will not hurt Rykers or Spyders. Within reason of course.
Click to expand...

Someone questioned YOUR intelligence, Billy? Hard to believe since your replies are always well researched, practical and helpful. It was your post that got me using a coin op wash, with “some normal cautions”......never had an issue.......thanks :2thumbs:

Pete
 
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