2022 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cleaning
Cleaning
General Precautions
Frequent and proper care of your vehicle will enhance its appearance, optimize overall performance, and extend its useful life. Covering your vehicle with a high-quality, breathable vehicle cover will help protect its finish from harmful UV rays, and pollutants, and reduce the amount of dust reaching its surfaces.
WARNING
The build-up of debris or flammable material in and around the vehicle chassis, engine, and exhaust can cause mechanical problems and increase the risk of fire. When operating the vehicle in conditions that allow debris or flammable material to collect in and around the vehicle, inspect the engine, electrical component, and exhaust areas frequently. If debris or flammable materials have been collected, park the vehicle outside and stop the engine. Allow the engine to cool, then remove any collected debris. Do not park or store the vehicle in an enclosed space prior to inspecting for the build-up of debris or flammable materials.
- Be sure the engine and exhaust are cool before washing.
- When washing the vehicle, always use mild neutral detergent and water.
- Avoid applying all harsh chemicals, solvents, degreasers, oil removers, electrical contact cleaners, and household cleaning products such as ammonia-based window cleaners. They will damage or deteriorate painted parts, plastic parts, rubber parts, and other synthetic parts including covers and headlight lenses.
- Avoid applying degreaser to seals, brake pads, and tires.
- Gasoline, brake fluid, and coolant will damage the finish of painted and plastic surfaces: wash them off im- mediately.
- Avoid wire brushes, steel wool, and all other abrasive pads or brushes.
- Take care when washing the headlight lens and other plastic parts as they can easily be scratched.
NOTE
- After riding in an area where the roads are salted or near the ocean, immediately wash your vehicle with cold water. Do not use warm water as it accelerates the chemical reaction of the salt. After drying, apply a corrosion protection spray on all metal and chrome surfaces to prevent corrosion.
- Condensation may form on the inside of the headlight lens after riding in the rain, washing the vehicle or in humid weather. To remove the moisture, start the engine and turn on the headlight. Gradually the condensation on the inside of the lens will clear off.
Radiator
Clean off any obstructions with a stream of low-pressure water.
NOTICE
Using high-pressure water, as from a car wash facility, could damage the radiator fins and impair the radiator’s effectiveness. Do not obstruct or deflect airflow through the radiator by installing unauthorized accessories in front of the radiator or behind the cooling fan. Interference with the radiator airflow can lead to overheating and consequent engine damage.
Matte Paint Parts
- When washing the vehicle, always use a mild neutral detergent and water, or cleaners for matte paint.
- The matte paint effect may be lost when the paint is excessively rubbed.
- If any doubt, consult an authorized Kawasaki dealer.
Plastic Parts
After washing, use a soft cloth to gently dry the plastic parts. When dry, treat the headlight lens and other nonpainted plastic parts with an approved plastic cleaner/polisher product.
NOTICE
Plastic parts may deteriorate and break if they come in contact with chemical substances or household cleaning products such as gasoline, brake fluid, window cleaners, thread-locking agents, or other harsh chemicals. If a plastic part comes in contact with any harsh chemical substance, wash it off immediately with water and a mild neutral detergent, and then inspect for damage. Avoid using abrasive pads or brushes to clean plastic parts, as they will damage the part’s finish.
Chrome and Aluminum
Chrome and uncoated aluminum parts can be treated with a chrome/aluminum polish. Coated aluminum should be washed with a mild neutral detergent and finished with spray polish. Aluminum wheels, both painted and unpainted can be cleaned with special non-acid-based wheel spray cleaners.
Leather, Vinyl, and Rubber
If your vehicle has leather accessories, special care must be taken. Use a leather cleaner/treatment to clean and care for leather accessories. Washing leather parts with detergent and water will damage them, shorten- ing their life. Vinyl parts should be washed with the rest of the vehicle, then treated with a vinyl treatment. The sidewalls of tires and other rubber components should be treated with a rubber protectant to help prolong their useful life
Where to be Careful
Avoid spraying water with any great force near the following places.
- Disc brake master cylinder and caliper.
- Under the seat, side cover, and right radiator cover – if water gets into the fuse box or battery, it can ground out the spark. When this happens the vehicle will not operate properly and the affected parts must be wiped dry.
NOTICE
Coin-operated, high-pressure spray washers are not recommended. Water may be forced into bearings and other components causing eventual failure from rust and corrosion. Some soaps are highly alkaline and may leave a residue or cause spotting.
NOTE
An abrasive cleanser or high-pressure washer will damage the surface finish on the bodywork.
Washing Your Vehicle
- Before washing, precautions must be taken to keep water off the following parts.
- Muffler rear openings – cover with a plastic bag.
- Ignition switch – cover the keyhole with tape.
- Rinse your vehicle with cold water from a garden hose to remove any loose dirt.
- Mix a mild neutral detergent (designed for motorcycles or automobiles) and water in a bucket. Use a soft cloth or sponge to wash your vehicle.
- After washing, rinse your vehicle thoroughly with clean water to re- move any residue (residue from the detergent can damage parts of your vehicle).
- Remove the plastic bag and tape.
- Use a soft cloth to dry your vehicle. As you dry, inspect your vehicle for chips and scratches. Do not let the water air dry as this can damage the painted surfaces.
- Carefully ride your vehicle at a slow speed and apply the brakes several times. This helps dry the brakes and restores them to normal operating performance.