The Honda Owners Club

does any one know the best way of getting rid of tar from the road that is stuck to the engine and castings? I currently own a CBF125 and cleaned it the other day the only problem is i havnt managed to get rid of the tar on the engine

Hi Matt, Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover or Cellulose Thinners bushed on should do the job,keep thinners off your paintwork, i've had some success spraying WD40 on tar spots, seems to soften it up if left to soak for about 15 mins, hope this helps.

Paraffin work pretty well, and it's cheap enough!

BBQ lighter fuel works well.

I'd be very careful with cellulose thinners as it will take lacquer and paint off cases.

The other suggestions are all good.

Regards

Chimpy

Whitespirit is good easier to get hold off than paraffin not many places sell it now due to insurance issues so I understand

Hi,

When they're spreading it, you can't miss the ming of diesel around the workers and machinery, and the stuff leaches out of a newly-laid road surface first time it rains; also, when our diesel-powered car had a small fuel leak, it put a pretty substantial hole fairly quickly in the drive underneath. If you don't have a diesel car (and I presume you wouldn't admit on here to owning a diesel bike ), next-best thing is probably the a little of the petrol in your bike's tank - dip a small stiff brush, like an old toothbrush, in the tank and give each stain a few good scrubs.

Hth.

Regards,

Best way to soften up a tough tar-spot is to get a first-aid plaster and soak the pad with your chosen solvent (Tar & Glue Remover) and then stick the plaster over the spot. The plaster helps to keep the solvent pressed against the tar, softening it up. After a while, remove the plaster and it should wipe off easily. If it's still a little stubborn, help it along with something soft like a lolly stick (eat the lolly first)

I'm sorry but I had to laugh at this idea as I can see the bike being covered in plasters as if it were an extra from Casualty or a reject from a St Johns first aid course
It probably makes perfect sense if it was one or two spots

Yes, it was meant as a solution to big "gobs" of tar, not splatterings of the stuff like an acne attack!

i find petrol is great for tar removal

thanks for the advice every 1 I have tried the various techniques suggested and have found that WD40 does work just its an expensive way of doing it. I have settled for GUNK and found it does a terrific job just wiffs a bit though and makes me feel happier than I should be when i get the smell of it lol.