I don't run the upper belt guard either but it's still a bitch cleaning the left side of the wheel . What I use is a drinking glass wash sponge deal . It's a round sponge with a handle on it and it is all plastic so it won't scratch the wheel. It get's in those areas you can't get your hand in there to wash . Cheap , and when it wears out , buy a couple more .
Don , my ole lady used to be like that untill I retired , and now I have to keep my bike and her bike clean . I don't mind though because cleaning your bike and fondleing every part of it sometimes you find something loose or broken that the ole lady might think is normal . What the hell , every day is Saturday to us retiree's anyway . Love it.