By Jim Pyatt
I don't know about you, but
let's face it. There is never enough time in 24 hours! We
have always disliked washing our bikes, mostly because of the time it takes away
from riding them. Everyone who rides knows that feeling of pride that comes from
riding a shiny, clean motorcycle.
The paint and chrome shine with a reflection
of the countryside or even in a big city; the gawkers are amazed at the detail.
Yes it's a necessary and essential task. Maintaining your bike's finish is a
priority in retaining the value and pride of
ownership. There are a number of levels of cleaning your motorcycle. A
full detail should include stripping your bike down to the frame to wash,
polish, and wax every external part. A wash and wax means removing the saddle
and a few other external pieces that get in the way, such as saddlebags, side
covers, and windshield. The most important action is the basic wash and quick
detail.
This usually means cleaning off bugs, road
grime, brake dust, grease, oil, and anything else before the motorcycle is ready
to ride. We have all seen those all-in-one products. Maybe there is, but I
haven't found one yet that will clean, polish, and protect all in one. I have
found that with a few basic products I can achieve a professional quality detail
in a short time. If you have been riding long, you are familiar with S100 Cycle
Products. They are available at most quality bike shops. This simple detail
requires a couple items, S100
Total Cycle Cleaner and S100
Polishing Soap.
There is a way to clean your
motorcycle without using too much of your valuable time. My quick wash and
detail will have you on the road in less than thirty minutes, preserving your
precious time while you retain that pride of ownership.
Before You Wash
Your Bike, Diagnose
- Check
front forks for bugs and road tar.
- Check
your bike's surfaces. They should be cool before applying cleaning
solutions.
One of the great things with
this washing system is that it doesn't require soap, bucket, or wash mitt. I
suggest covering the seat, and, if your saddlebags are leather, remove or cover
them with plastic.
Treatment 1
Polishing.
Use the S100 Soap, designed for anywhere your regular metal polish is used:
wheels, forks, handlebars, exhausts, and case covers.
Moisten the sponge supplied, remove lid, and
rub sponge on the soap. Then rub the sponge over the product, making lather.
Next, apply it to the bike's metal surfaces, other than painted ones. Rub it
heartily until the surface is properly polished. It will haze over, but the haze
will rinse off in treatment 3.
·
S100
polishing soap is not intended for use on painted or anodized surfaces; this
product will scratch paint. You should clean the paint with the S100 cycle
cleaner for the painted surfaces.
Treatment 2
Cleaning.
No soap or bucket needed, only your S100 Total Cycle
Cleaner.
·
Spray the entire
bike with S100 Total Cycle Cleaner, including the metal surfaces you just
polished. I use the spray bottle. It also comes in an aerosol version, but my
experience with aerosol is that the cost is usually much higher. When it comes
into contact with your bike, it quickly foams and seeps into the nooks and
crannies. Agitate the really tough bug stains, let it sit and soak briefly. The
product will dissolve the bugs and road grime. Repeat if necessary.
Treatment 3
Rinsing
is easy, but you must be careful to rinse completely. You are removing all the
soap from the polish and cleaner. Failing to do so will result in spotting and
streaking. Thorough rinsing gives you a
beautiful shine with very little effort.
Treatment 4
Drying, The
most efficient, quickest, and easiest way to dry a motorcycle is with a leaf
blower. If you don't have one, they can be purchased at the
local hardware store for around twenty dollars. This gentle stream of air will
blow water out of the small nooks and crannies and other hard-to-reach areas. A
waffle-weave microfiber towel is great for the final drying.
Treatment 5 (Optional,
less than five minutes)
Quick Wax
·
Wipe
the bike down with Meguiar's
NXT generation spray wax.
Using a microfiber towel folded into four squares, spray a couple of shots of
spray wax into the towel, and wipe the entire bike down. This will leave you
with a just waxed finish.
Prevention as
always is the best. Simply keep your motorcycle covered, whether it sits inside
or out. Keep the dust and other
elements off. All these enemies can cause damage. A cover can reduce UV damage
to leather and plastics. It's best to be prepared.