What have you done to your XS today?

For me this is more like, What have you done to your XS this week,

I’ve been busy in the shop getting my bikes ready for fall riding, it’s been a long hot summer here without much riding and winter is our prime riding season here in desert.

My XS2,
I wrote elsewhere about me doing an epoxy repair on my gas tank, so as long as the tank was off, it seemed like a good time to re torque the head. I also pulled my side filter to check for debri, that was all good. So then I went through the whole tune up ritual, set the cam chain adjustment, checked valve clearances, checked the carburetor settings and adjusted the free play on the dual carburetor cables so they were synced up. Then I put the fuel tank back on and filled it with gas, had a little spill disaster that was covered in my gas tank thread. Fired it up and checked the timing which has never wavered since initial set up.
After all that, I gave it a good cleaning and aired the tires up, and it’s ready to ride again!

My 77D,
Is mechanically in good shape, didn’t need any work at this time, but it was really filthy from taking it off road looking for WW2 air fields, so it got a good scrubbing too.
Then , I have had my windshield off for the summer, but I wanted to get it mounted back up for winter riding.
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After I installed it I cleaned it up with this product, it works really nice, it lasts a long time , I’ve had this can forever.
Anyone else have a windshield cleaning product they like and can recommend?
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Put my tail bag back on my rack and aired the tires up, and now old Blackie is good to go!
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Anyone else have a windshield cleaning product they like and can recommend?
My experience from a lifetime of cleaning aircraft canopies and windscreens.... First thing you do is wipe your hand across it with plenty of flowing water washing across it. Scratches are caused by spraying on a cleaner with the accumulated dust still sitting on the windshield... and rubbing that dust into it with a wet cloth.
Dust + cloth = a very fine wet sandpaper because the dust gets imbedded in the cloth. flowing water to remove the dust.... After that, I use either dish soap or Windex... whichever's handy.
 
My experience from a lifetime of cleaning aircraft canopies and windscreens.... First thing you do is wipe your hand across it with plenty of flowing water washing across it. Scratches are caused by spraying on a cleaner with the accumulated dust still sitting on the windshield... and rubbing that dust into it with a wet cloth.
Dust + cloth = a very fine wet sandpaper because the dust gets imbedded in the cloth. flowing water to remove the dust.... After that, I use either dish soap or Windex... whichever's handy.
Won't Windex mess up the shield because of the ammonia in it
 
Won't Windex mess up the shield because of the ammonia in it
I've heard that before. Never really looked into it, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's just an old wives tale that never seems to go away. Ammonia has a fast evaporation rate... my guess is far too fast to have an affect on plexi. Just from my own experience of 50+ yrs using it... no, I've never seen one damaged from Windex.
 
#mailman, Plexus is the mutznutz after a rinse and blow dry with the metrovac
But.. OMG, Plexus here is damn near $40 a can.....It used to be under $20 for the large can

When I bought that can, which was years ago, I remember it being rather pricey.

Yeah Jim,
I hear you about washing first. Always!
 
If you love her let her go, if she returns she yours forever. The Queen and I had a heart to heart this evening and I suspect we will miss each other.
I let the Queen go in '79 and she came back in '13. Now it's time for her to let me go, one of the hardest things I've dealt with for quite some time. See ya in Stecoah.
john
 

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If you love her let her go, if she returns she yours forever. The Queen and I had a heart to heart this evening and I suspect we will miss each other.
I let the Queen go in '79 and she came back in '13. Now it's time for her to let me go, one of the hardest things I've dealt with for quite some time. See ya in Stecoah.
john

Well John, you were a good caretaker for a nice old bike. I know you’ll miss it, but good for you for trying to get it to the next good caretaker!
 
Won't Windex mess up the shield because of the ammonia in it
I've heard that before. Never really looked into it, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's just an old wives tale that never seems to go away. Ammonia has a fast evaporation rate... my guess is far too fast to have an affect on plexi. Just from my own experience of 50+ yrs using it... no, I've never seen one damaged from Windex.
Just to follow up on this... Gray piqued my curiosity so I did a little googling. I found lots of websites where someone sez not to use it on plexiglass, but nothing I'd call hard data on why or why not. Just people saying "don't do it." Even Windex's website doesn't really address it, they just seem to emphasize that it's for "glass." I can say from my experience I've never seen it harm plexiglass. But that's not really hard data either, is it.
Anyone got anything else?
 
Just to follow up on this... Gray piqued my curiosity so I did a little googling. I found lots of websites where someone sez not to use it on plexiglass, but nothing I'd call hard data on why or why not. Just people saying "don't do it." Even Windex's website doesn't really address it, they just seem to emphasize that it's for "glass." I can say from my experience I've never seen it harm plexiglass. But that's not really hard data either, is it.
Anyone got anything else?
If it's not fogging your windshield I'd call it unbiased proven data, that works for me
 
If it's not fogging your windshield I'd call it unbiased proven data, that works for me
Well I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'd encourage everyone to do their own research before they use it. Using it based on my word kinda puts the monkey on my back if you ruin your plastic... I'd rather not have that.
As an aside, I know the composition is different, but Windex does come in a plastic bottle... :er:
 
Well I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'd encourage everyone to do their own research before they use it. Using it based on my word kinda puts the monkey on my back if you ruin your plastic... I'd rather not have that.
As an aside, I know the composition is different, but Windex does come in a plastic bottle... :er:
I will do as the say with clothing try it in an are not seen
 
...Anyone else have a windshield cleaning product they like and can recommend?

... First thing you do is wipe your hand across it with plenty of flowing water washing across it...

...Anyone got anything else?

...but so is LEMON PLEDGE !

Ditto with Jim about hand rinsing first.

I've used "Liquid Glass Auto polish" in the '80s, and that stuff is amazing. NOTHING sticks to it. Even on my airplanes. Dirt and bug goo wipes right off. When I entered my Vega in a car show, they tried to write my entry number on the windshield (which was also 'Liquid Glass' coated), and their markers wouldn't work. I think it's still available.

http://www.liquidglasspolish.com/products/liquid-glass-ultimate-auto-polish/

Then, about 30 years ago, Kansas pilots tipped me onto spray LEMON PLEDGE. A convenient faster/budget variation. It would dissolve and remove bug guts from the canopy. And, the residual coating would help keep bug goo from sticking, and would help to keep rain in droplets, easily flowing away.

Later, chatting with a lineman at ABQ, he gave me a spray bottle of Uni-Lab "Protect".
Uni-Lab-Protect.jpg

Great stuff. Not much left. Can't find any more. I only use it on my helmet's visor.

I'm thinking that the modern offerings are probably equal or better...
 
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