Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners

As far as the heads/valve covers go, if you really want them to look great and not spend time doing it, blast 'em. It's pretty cheap, lasts a long time and looks like new. And because of the black barrles seperating the cases and heads, it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

SIMPLE GREEN

spray on warm - NOT HOT motor, and scrub with soft brush.
Hose off.
for really heavy oil & grease, begin with Brake Kleen,
then follow with SIMPLE GREEN

I use Simple Green at the car wash. I tried that S100... I'm still fuming. It left my cases super streaked. I hate that stuff.

brake clean will put a hurting on painted surfaces

so if you use it to cut grease and oils off an engine

spray it on a rag

and if you have perfect paint

don't use brake clean on it

or carb cleaner either

This question has come up before. I've used WD-40 with a plastic "scrubby" and gotten good results. The best results I've ever gotten, however, were with a product called "Alumabrite" and a scrubby. You cut it about 50/50 with water; work it in from the top down; flush off with water. It did an amazing job on my R27 and left no streaks or spots. You might be able to find the stuff at a marine supply store.

I have used citra solve for years and never had any problems with it. I use it strait, rinse it off.

Never heard of Citra Solve. Where would I get that?

Home Depot. Wear gloves. I've never found anything better short of bead blasting.

I'd really like to get the engine looking fresh, and paint thinner with scrubber is not doing the trick.

Any advice?