Dealer, put down that hose and back away from the bike.

[shovelmike]

I decided it was time for a new rear tire. Tube type tires I always do myself, tubeless I'll let the shop handle.With a smaller bike I just take the wheel off and take it to them, with the Ultra I take them the bike rather than try to get that behemoth up in the air etc.
As a courtesy to customers the dealer always washes the bike. I wish they would be a little more careful with the water though. Hitting the highway home the clock display on the radio was blank, cruise and intercom don't work.
I'm going to tell them to skip the wash in the future...gonna tell em a lot more than that if the electrics don't dry out and regain function soon.
Has anyone else had this problem? How did you dry things out? I sprayed WD40 around the affected switches and hoping.

[Tbone]

Dealer? Wash my bike? Never happened here. I spent a month getting greasy fingerprints and grease off of everything after they did the insurance job on my bike.
On the other hand. I soak my bike with a hose everytime I wash it and sometimes in between. I've never had any problems.
Of course, it's a Dyna.
And, double of course, It's from Louisiana.

[old no. seven]

My dealer used to use a soap that would etch the polished aluminum. After that I requested no wash and took care of it at home. Hope things dry out for you.

[Micheal]

Never use WD40 on newer electronics, should always use a electo-wash or electronic circuit board cleaner. WD40 can cause high impedence shorts with newer equipment

[unclepsycho]

Shovel !

When I wash my '06 Ultra, i put a rag over the radio and some of the gauges by sticking it to the winshield with suction cups. some times they fog over and cant see them but so far they dont go blank. there may be a problem there with yours. I use the bike dryer to blow water out of the dash etc after I wash but it still fogs up once in a while. good luck and I hope the instruments come back to work for you.

Tbone, last time I got my bike back from the dealer, it looked like they had parked next to a dirt road during an off road rally in a rain storm. I didnt even recognise my own bike! I almost cried.

funny thing is, they DO wash most bikes prior to customer pick-up.

[botzman]

Mike,

Hope it all works out for you. Good topic though. As a new owner of a bagger any tricks to keeping the speakers and the gauges dry when washing? Botz

[unclepsycho]

Hi Botz
I took an old rag or actually a shammy and poked holes in it along one edge...then I got some suction cups with knobs on them and stick them in the holes and then lick -n-stick em to the winshield...the rag then drapes over the gauges. I then just watch where I direct the spray. as for the speakers... I just hose them... maybe I shouldn't.

[aceharleywrench]

I have to unplug my MP3 player from the jack on the radio & reinsert the rubber plug,but other than that I dont take any special precautions with the hose & never have any problems.They must have really flooded it to disrupt all your electrics.Good luck.

[RoadWhipper]

Like Tbone, I always seem to have to clean up after the dealer, wiping greasy fingerprints off the chrome covers and giving the bike a shampoo. Any of you lads have a blaster for washing? I've been thinking of getting one and would appreciate any thoughts you have.

[sgtcowboyusmc]

I use a power washer to wash the bike then blow her off with a leaf blower. Works for me. I do use water sparingly around the electronics.

Hey Roadwhipper, give me a hollar when you get back down AZ way maybe we can hook up for a ride around the countryside!