OK, my new ride arrives tomorrow (only one more sleep) and I have a question reagarding cleaning and maintenance. I've searched quickly for answers and they elude me. (then again maybe no-one else has been dumb enough to ask)

Other than the obvious, how do you guys keep your ride looking like new. Do you wash and polish immediately after every ride or do you leave it for days sometimes? What detergent can be used on the chrome and paintwork. I know from owning cars for many years that road grime on mag wheels is really hard to remove if left and you have to be careful what to use to clean them. I once melted the asphelt around all 4 wheels after using a petrolium type spray. Huge fucking holes in my driveway  

On my pushbike I use a citrus based detergent spray on everything. Would that be OK?

 

 With me the washing and polishing is weather controlled, if weather is dry I'll probably clean the bike once a fortnight especially if it's being used daily (don't want to be washing her everyday),  if weather is dirty and it's daily ride once a week, if she's been out in some real shit I'll do her next day if no time left or to fucked after day of ride.

As to use of product's It's each to their own I don't go out and buy the shmickest cleaning products I generally buy the first one I see,  I wash the bike with dishwashing liquid no  particular one, it's whatever the good lady has under the sink, works for me, usually polish her paintwork with kitten never had an issue, and her metal work gets Autosol, she's in mint condition and she's 18 years old.

It comes down also to, if you want your ride to look good it's not just about the shit (bling) you hang off her it's about the time you are willing to put into her to keep her looking good, thats the way I see it. Cheers crooky.  

 

 

I actually got over washing my bike after about the second time. What a pain in the arse.

If its ridden in the rain it gets a clean, otherwise... nope.

Nothing wrong with Chrome as well as nothing wrong with having no bling and just riding ... but for me it helps me to unwind after a bad day or week or what ever ... grab a Bundy or 2 get the old California Purple Polish out for the Chrome and something like Mothers or Maguire`s for the paint and give your pride and joy the once over .

Don't loose any sleep if you don't wash her every week , you will get the feel for what is right for you ... but from reading your past post I reckon the missus will be seeing a bit less of you once the new beast arrives , Lol ... she will start to think you have someone else out in the garage because she will hear you talking but it will be just you and your bike ... bonding , Lol .

Tim .

Dirt , what dirt , haven't washed her for a few months and she still looks the goods , some colours seem to look dirtier quicker than others , its really a personal choice though once a month or so is plenty clean enough usually . If ya often night ride and get bugged up or cop a few days of riding in the rain the road grime seems to get into everywhere and makes it all look a bit old when it dries , ya may choose to do it more regular or not ?
FW1 or similar spray on cleaner/polish brings it up shmick if ya surfaces aren't gritty otherwise wash it first , I use CT18 or any car wash but dish washing liquid lifts the grime just as good as most do , either way don't allow any soap to dry on it !
Tar spots on me rear chrome spoked wheel shit me the most But McGuires has a good spray on hose off chrome wheel cleaner but still some tar spots usually require extra attention .
Pride yourself in getting her dirty and take pride in keeping her clean , it's a good way to stay up close and personal with it !
Enjoy ya new ride crookneez !

http://youtu.be/-WZhpdiLevA  Check this out Tony , part 1 of about 3 parts , should give you an idea .

I use "snow storm" the same time I wash the car
 

www.hoselink.com.au/shop/car-care/27

 

I am lazy, it works

I just leave mine parked in the lounge room all year. mrs sometimes runs the feather duster over it brings it up like new.

Good luck with the new bike Crrokneez

If you're gonna ride it, it will eventually show its age. Stone chips, scratches, grime in those hard to get at places . . . . .  All the washing in the worl won't stop it completely.

Having said that, it is easier to keep a bike looking clean (regular washing & polishing) than letting it go and then trying to revive it.

Either way - enjoy it mate !!

Philthy

I wouldn't dare tell the mrs shes blocking the telli. she;d never dust the bike again.

I have the black denim and the manual says use dishwashing liquid ONLY IF you don't have any of the HD brand denim cleaning shit.

Drying off is easy, just go for another ride!

I've only washed mine once though and it looks very ordinary but thats why I bought the denim... fuck shiny shit...

I use mothers soft was gel then I blow dry it with the blower vac (best invention ever) after that I give it a real quick going over with good old mr sheen. easy as