Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Keeping it clean

Just how clean does everyone really keep their bike? I went to clean mine (hadn't really had a chance to do it in over 6 months) and I can easily see where it can be an all day event. I really wanted to get the chain clean as it's starting to build a bit of gunk on it.

I only have 3300+ miles on it so it's only been in a shop for the initial 500 mile checkup. They greased the chain quite well; plus I'm pretty good about lubing it every 500 with a silicon spray. My rear wheel and sprocket were almost black. Is this relatively normal or am I neglecting my beauty way too much.

I love a clean bike, no doubt. But at the same time I'm not one of those that would rather polish every single inch when I could be out riding instead.

I just want to get a feel for what's considered "normal" still a newbie to motorcycles. Do I get the bulk off, do what I can and ride, or break out the elbow grease (no pun intended) and get to work?

You need to get you some chain WAX lube . It doesn't sling off so bad if you put it on right . I seldom get black gunk on Lola's rear . Get you a bottle brush and an old toothbrush , works great .

Zmilin (and others) have the Scottoiler system and his rear wheel, sprocket & chain looked very clean. I just used to spray my chain and clean the rear wheel when ever I had time. I used to keep an oil absorbant blanket undre my bike, to pick up any drips from excess chain oiling.

Just before my accident, I ordered the Scottoiler slipperblock which will clean & lubricate the chain. Since I don't have a bike right now (and can't ride anyway), I can't tell you how effective the Slipperblock device is. It sits in it's box, waiting for my next bike. I did hear good things about it while at the service dept of local Triumph dealer.

Anyway, I would suggest you consider the basic Scottoiler arrangement.

If the Scottoiler isn't for you then try this, it's very clean and available at better home improvement stores:



edit: As far as cleaning goes: I like to keep it clean and I use the time to check all areas for possible maintenance issues and it's just a good way to stave off rust. This week I've spent an inordinate amount of time cleaning and detailing both bikes in preparation for a bike show this weekend. Normally it's a hand wash stem to stern once every 6 weeks or so and otherwise just some simple green to catch the greasy spots when I see them.

to your original question, I wash mine a few times over the season. Maybe one f those times it's a couple of hour job taking off the bags and windscreen and using simple green etc. The other few times I spend maybe a half hour and give it a once over.

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Just how clean does everyone really keep their bike?

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Depends on how much your ride is getting dirty I suppose...
Tend to use a combination of stuff, and not as often as I probably should...
I clean chain with rag/ brush soaked with paraffin and then re-lube. Use 'Muc-off' for rear wheel rim/ spokes and hub etc. Sparingly use good old fashioned hot water with detergent for general cleaning, rinsed off with cold. Toweled dry and then polished up. Usually takes around 3-4 hrs, I've found some good sounds and a couple of beers often helps...

Dupre, Keep it clean bro. Treat the bike with respect and you'll get lot's of great rides together,
As oldroadie said cleaning the bike gives you the opportunity to check loose nuts etc and the complements you'll receive will make it all worth the work.
Mike

i give my bike a good full wash once every 3 weeks or so, here is what i hate, where i work route 95 is only about 100 yards away or so from where i park my bike. so at the end of the day i have dust all over the place and on top of that pollen. well my bike being all black (as the best bikes are) everything shows, i use a quick spray on wax and a soft cotton cloth just to "dust" the paint and chrome. does a pretty good job. i've even used pledge polish. mmm nice and lemony.

Dan I purchased a cheapo bike cover from wallymart and leave it at work. Ride in, have cup or three of joe.
Go cover her up for the day.

Thanks for the input fellas, keep'em coming. Sounds like I let the cleanliness get away from me. Not hard to believe since I've only been home the last two of last nine months.

I hate to say it but I am very anal about my all balck speedmaster.I keep it clean all the time just got in from doing that and my daughter said "you polish it more than you ride it" But in 3 years 15k so some where in there I have a chance to ride.

Since I commute usually 5 days a week, the bike normally gets a good wipe down once a week (before bike night) and a good cleaning every couple. I do try and remember that if I clean with something that strips the wax to rewax her.

Now that bug season is here, I need to get the windscreen more often. We really do ride the finest in European bug killing technology. My 14 year old calls it insectiRIDE.

I have used S100 wax on mine was told by a car detail buddy to not wax but use Meguiars mirror glaze.It is a show car glaze. Has any one used this stuff? Want to fix a err (first one this year)Two years not 3 for 15k.

Clean my ride often too. Especially before a big ride. Love those long hard stares that Sadie gets!

I have heard that S100 Wax is pretty good stuff.

Unfortunetley I have to use waterless cleaners. There use to be a car wash area, but they took it out. There are a couple cleaners I have used that work really well, Quick Shine and FW1

Soren

I like clean well enough, but like riding much more. Weighing the two - cleaning is vastly overrated

Sounds like I'm in a similar situation to Soren. The apartment complex I live in doesn't have any sort of a car wash area. Therefore, I'm left with using a spray bottle of bike cleaner, some microfiber cleaning cloths, and a bucket of water. What a female dog that is!

I'm defintely a "when I can't stand how dirty it is" kind of cleaner.
I ride almost every day. When I get home from work, I'm dead tired, and by the time the bike has cooled off enough to clean, I can be out like a light.
Then I get a day off and make up for it. It took me an hour and a half the other day just to polish the back wheel!
I'd forgotten how shiny it can be.

mike, thanks for the tip, a cover is a good idea, never gave it a thought.

I wash/clean it before every ride, its a good time to check things over. I am tempted to get it detailed once here in June, just to give it a ultra cleaning.

Sometimes cleaning is a good thing. Observe today's First in Class (Metric Cruiser) and Best Of Show (DeKalb Sheriff's Annual Dare Program bike show):



That's right, I'm braggin' a little here...

Congrats, Ed!!

Yeaaah vey nice!! HOw did you dye your tank pads?

Ed, that is one B E A Utiful machine, right there!!! Congratulations!

Beautiful Bike Ed!

I use the Macguiars instant detailer at least once a week. And I wash the bike about ever 4-6 weeks. I ride almost every day so I do have to clear off the bugs and road grime as it accumulates.

way to go bro! Wonder if you got as excited as Wendy when she wins.

I try to wash maybe once a week, try to keep her clean. One tip I would like to pass on is that I use a 'leaf blower' to 'blow dry' after every wash and it works great.

Ed, OT here, but what kind of pipes are those? And yeah, GORGEOUS BIKE!

i ride my bike mostly on the week-ends, but whenever i do, i come back to the carport and spiff it up with honda polish before putting it away. my bike has only been wet once, on the way back from the quachita rally, and we ALL got wet then. i find it a lot easier not to get too far behind. 'sides,, you gonna spend this much money on 'sumptin you ain't gonna take care of???? reminds me of my dad,, he got a gravely tractor to fix a garden with,,,,put a #2 washtub on it all winter alonside the garden,,,cuss the snot out of it 'cause he had trouble cranking it the next spring,,,,,what's wrong with this picture????

After we get caught in the rain, I'll wipe her down. Does that count?