View Full Version : How Do You Keep Your Pride and Joy Like New?
On various forums and in numerous publications there always seems to be lots of debate over how people keep there bikes clean, hence I was wondering what people use on here?
Some of the suggestions;
Bodywork; spray on cleaners, good old Auto Shampoo and Water.
Wheels; Parafin, WD40.
Metal; Degreaser.
Afterwards; Polish, WD40, Furniture Polish???????
The lists could go on and on...............................
Originally posted by DIBBLE
I don't ...... :P
as is quite apparrent!:P
no point, dealer won't give you any more for it when you come to sell it and it doesn't make it any quicker ..... plus I have better things to do with my time .....
:devil:
Steve M
29-Jun-2005, 11:43
not wanting to take the p1ss - oh go on then
I think we know why some are so clean - they're never bleedin' used:P
My Monster:wipe round wheels etc with WD40 soaked rag after most rides & also lube chain whilst hot
I use muckoff if bike comes in grotty, then WD too, then autoglym for polishing tank, fly screen etc.
Also, I remove bellypan once a month, to check if anything loose/leaking etc under the crank casings
Cleaning it is more for an 'all-round check' for safety, as much as having a tidy looking bike too.
C:)
Edited for Steve: 6,500 miles since Xmas this year - none commuting - all pleasure:P
[Edited on 29-6-2005 by CK and AK]
I clean my bike usually after every ride or two, simply because I'm so anal! (don't go there)
Seriously though I do this for a few reasons, mainly as every time I find another bit that needs a clean and always a good visual inspection of anything odd.
Usually clean the wheels firstly with WD on a rag (don't spray onto the wheels) then maybe some autoglym show shine aerosol.
Bodywork/carbon wash firstly, dry and then polish with meguirs (sp) high gloss polish, maybe a quick clean with the show shine if I'm in a hurry, good on screens that.
Engine/mechanicals clean with gunk and hose off, small parts scrubbed with brush etc
Exhaust I usually rub the pipes (not the end can) down with very fine grade wet and dry to remove build up and clean can etc with autosol/autoglym metal polish.
Calipers usually removed, and soak in water before getting the wonder wheels on there for a split second.
Clean discs with brake cleaner etc
i dont use it much and never in the rain :cool:
this thread is just too painful to read ......
You trying to claim the Desmondo "slut" award there Dibble?
no, but my aversion to all this anally retentive fairing off and calipers in buckets cleaning is very well historically documented and includes a Surrey DSC award for "regions dirtiest ride" .. which I do believe was in relation to the bike ......
Originally posted by DIBBLE
this thread is just too painful to read ......
well, go & read another one then:P
or put up a poll - "do you clean your bike or not!"
C:smug:
Twinfan
29-Jun-2005, 12:25
I'm with Dibble on this.
I clean it when it's dirty using Halfords car shampoo. A quick rinse with a hose, then a chamois dry. If the wheels are bad, I'll use Muck Off or similar.
I haven't got the time or the inclination to be polishing the bikes/cars every 5 minutes!
woo hooo, i'm not the only one .....
as in the title how often (if at all) do you clean your bike
[Edited on 29-6-2005 by CK and AK]
I clean the bikes .... occasionally.
As long as it's not filthy I don't really see too much point in trying to keep a bike I ride very regularly spotless. As long as it's maintained it's cool.
If I had an 'R' and didn't ride it all that much I'd probably make more of an effort (don't hold me to that!) but wouldn't for something I ride regularly.
I've gone for more than 3 times a year.
I don't see much point in having it super spotless to be honest. I've just answered in the other thread and lost motivation to write much else.
:D
Originally posted by Twinfan
I'm with Dibble on this.
I clean it when it's dirty using Halfords car shampoo. A quick rinse with a hose, then a chamois dry. If the wheels are bad, I'll use Muck Off or similar.
I haven't got the time or the inclination to be polishing the bikes/cars every 5 minutes!
Playing devil's advocate here (no harm intended)...
Say for example you were as anal as me and/or others do you think you might have spotted the problem with your brakes before the inevitable?
Nelly cleans mine ... don't you mate .... :roll:
Originally posted by JPM
Originally posted by Twinfan
I'm with Dibble on this.
I clean it when it's dirty using Halfords car shampoo. A quick rinse with a hose, then a chamois dry. If the wheels are bad, I'll use Muck Off or similar.
I haven't got the time or the inclination to be polishing the bikes/cars every 5 minutes!
Playing devil's advocate here (no harm intended)...
Say for example you were as anal as me and/or others do you think you might have spotted the problem with your brakes before the inevitable?
truth hurts
:devil:
Originally posted by JPM
Originally posted by Twinfan
I'm with Dibble on this.
I clean it when it's dirty using Halfords car shampoo. A quick rinse with a hose, then a chamois dry. If the wheels are bad, I'll use Muck Off or similar.
I haven't got the time or the inclination to be polishing the bikes/cars every 5 minutes!
Playing devil's advocate here (no harm intended)...
Say for example you were as anal as me and/or others do you think you might have spotted the problem with your brakes before the inevitable?
I don't think it's possible.
To be as anal as you I meant ... not if you're human anyway....
:D
I've put once a week as I only get to ride once a week really, and usually clean it then or thereabouts
Originally posted by DIBBLE
Nelly cleans mine ... don't you mate .... :roll:
the rain cleans it for you
Originally posted by TP
If I had an 'R' and didn't ride it all that much I'd probably make more of an effort
I'll just quote you then Tony :D and guess what you'd be as anal as me! :P
Originally posted by JPM
Originally posted by TP
If I had an 'R' and didn't ride it all that much I'd probably make more of an effort
I'll just quote you then Tony :D and guess what you'd be as anal as me! :P
Nah, I'd never be that anal. I might just clean it a bit more often - but you wouldn't catch me taking the bloody calipers off fer crying out loud!!
I'll happily throw £20 your way to do it for me though :D
don't worry freak my callipers come of for a bath in the bucket.
and I know a few others who do it.
TBO we are always amazed at how lax some people are at keeping something clean. Lazy if you ask me
Originally posted by keefer
don't worry freak my callipers come of for a bath in the bucket.
and I know a few others who do it.
TBO we are always amazed at how lax some people are at keeping something clean. Lazy if you ask me
Hands up - I'm lazy!
Well, I'd rather be doing other stuff to be honest. It's no big deal to not have your bike thoroughly spotless though is it?
Originally posted by TP
Originally posted by keefer
don't worry freak my callipers come of for a bath in the bucket.
and I know a few others who do it.
TBO we are always amazed at how lax some people are at keeping something clean. Lazy if you ask me
Hands up - I'm lazy!
Well, I'd rather be doing other stuff to be honest. It's no big deal to not have your bike thoroughly spotless though is it?
no doesn't really bother me either way.
just that people who don't do it always look and say yea ive got beta things to do and you must be anal.
er no just like a mint looking bike
always have always will
desmojen
29-Jun-2005, 12:50
Originally posted by DIBBLE
no point, dealer won't give you any more for it when you come to sell it and it doesn't make it any quicker ..... plus I have better things to do with my time .....
:devil:
Actually, they will, and yes it does.
As for better things to do........that's up to you :lol:
Twinfan
29-Jun-2005, 12:51
Playing devil's advocate here (no harm intended)...
Say for example you were as anal as me and/or others do you think you might have spotted the problem with your brakes before the inevitable?
Harsh! Who knows eh? The thing is, there are people worse than me and Dibble who keep their bikes in a terrible state. Bikes should be designed to cope with varying levels of anal-ness...
Originally posted by Twinfan
Dibble who keep their bikes in a terrible state. Bikes should be designed to cope with varying levels of anal-ness...
Bike isn't kept in a "terrible state", in fact my bike wants for nothing as far as taking superb care of her goes, I just don't spend my time keeping her clean, other than that she is very very well looked after .....
Who answered daily??????????????????????????????????????
rcgbob44
29-Jun-2005, 13:04
I wash and polish my 998 when its dirty (thats a single fly on it!).
I use gunk or equivalent on the calipers every time so as not to get a build up of brake dust and uase Auto Glym on the body work.
Ooh, my first merge was successful :D
Threads merged at the request of Charlotte and agreed by Jon.
:D
Originally posted by TP
Ooh, my first merge was successful :D
Threads merged at the request of Charlotte and agreed by Jon.
:D
United in Surrey we are.
Originally posted by jobr
Originally posted by TP
Ooh, my first merge was successful :D
Threads merged at the request of Charlotte and agreed by Jon.
:D
United in Surrey we are.
mmm:smug: but in cleaning or grubbiness?:o:P:D
psychlist
29-Jun-2005, 13:12
Both Monster and 998 get sprayed with Muck-Off, sprayed with hose then wiped with clean rag only 3 or 4 times a year. They only get polished for paparrazzi ;)
Originally posted by CK and AK
Originally posted by jobr
Originally posted by TP
Ooh, my first merge was successful :D
Threads merged at the request of Charlotte and agreed by Jon.
:D
United in Surrey we are.
mmm:smug: but in cleaning or grubbiness?:o:P:D
I'm more than happy to let you clean mine Charlotte. And then we can be united in spotless cleanliness.
I'll cook the bbq :D
[Edited on 29-6-2005 by TP]
Look 'ere TP, I have a cleaning lady (she wont do the bike tho:( ) and I only do mine on a bi-monthly basis, dependant on use.
At the moment Her Majesty is finely resplendant in a good covering of flies/ dirt & mush:lol::lol: and not getting a scrub till at least the w/end (is it going to rain?;) )
C:saint:
Originally posted by Twinfan
Playing devil's advocate here (no harm intended)...
Say for example you were as anal as me and/or others do you think you might have spotted the problem with your brakes before the inevitable?
Harsh! Who knows eh? The thing is, there are people worse than me and Dibble who keep their bikes in a terrible state. Bikes should be designed to cope with varying levels of anal-ness...
Very true, but things do wear and things do drop off etc, I've lost count of how many bolts etc I've lost off my bikes over the years.
Also some areas of your bike need cleaning regularly otherwise the build up is a real pain to get off.
Like my wheels on the car, if I haven't got time to wash the car I'll make the effort on the wheels simply because if I leave them it takes me so much longer to get them clean next time.
Mine gets washed off when it looks grubby, wheels get cleaned with Muc-Off, sometimes it gets a quick polish with AutoGlym super resin polish.
Over the winter it might get a better clean - bodywork off etc..
I just try to find a balance between keeping it from getting too grubby, and being ott - which I am way too lazy for.
gary888
29-Jun-2005, 13:32
I last cleaned mine properly a year ago........Good quality car shampoo, clean the wheels with gunk, polish with autoglym.
chicken
29-Jun-2005, 13:34
My bike are all immaculate. The (ex) DD bike gets the most attention with a regular trim, watering and weeding.
Harv748
29-Jun-2005, 13:42
I think I'm in the same anal league (oher misses) as JPM and Keefer.
My bikes cleaned weekly, as thats about as often as I ride it...but for no other reason than I like my bike to look mint, and I do actually enjoy doing it...Hot and soapy water followed by Muck-off. Autosol for polishing and Autoglym for palstics. Once you get on top of it its a 20 miute job anyway.
Even the DR350 gets cleaned on a regular basis.
Buy a new one every year:lol:
Steve M
29-Jun-2005, 13:50
One of the attractions of Ducatis is surely the way they look and a clean one is even better. Plus if I was after a secondhand bike and looked at one that had been cared for as JPM's bike is, it would be going home with me:)
neilkeogh
29-Jun-2005, 15:57
Clean, now where exactly is that in the dictionary?
I give the bike a quick once over with diluted Mer seems to do the biz and the a quick wipe around the wheels with white spirit hey presto !
:D
Usually once a week. It's a good place to hide from the family. I agree that it's also a good way of finding loose bits and leaks. And it's quite relaxing.
Does spending an hour on the rear sprocket area qualify as anal??? :(
Originally posted by Brent
Does spending an hour on the rear sprocket area qualify as anal??? :(
probably David:lol:
you can do mine next time - please:saint:
Originally posted by Brent
Does spending an hour on the rear sprocket area qualify as anal??? :(
Yep :D
Try 3-5 hours on your pipes for good measure too!
If we're being anal, how long to clean your toilet.
I won't just get my coat i'll resign as well. Bye.
Rushjob
29-Jun-2005, 17:12
:lol::lol:
Originally posted by BDG
If we're being anal, how long to clean your toilet.
I won't just get my coat i'll resign as well. Bye.
Shaun, you should know that's awoman's work!! :o:lol:
Originally posted by Twinfan
I'm with Dibble on this.
I clean it when it's dirty using Halfords car shampoo. A quick rinse with a hose, then a chamois dry. If the wheels are bad, I'll use Muck Off or similar.
I haven't got the time or the inclination to be polishing the bikes/cars every 5 minutes!
Me too.
I don't even use that Muck Off or whatever on the wheels.
I just clean it from time to time when it's really dirty :D
Originally posted by Steve M
One of the attractions of Ducatis is surely the way they look and a clean one is even better. Plus if I was after a secondhand bike and looked at one that had been cared for as JPM's bike is, it would be going home with me:)
This is exactly the reason that I bought the Bostrom!
When you know how well something has been maintained its worth buying.
I took the 748r to the new owner yesterday and he already has a 748. I was fighting back the tears when i saw how filthy his current bike was because I realised that she may end up looking like that soon.
Delilah was so clean I think he was quite suprised and realises that he has a bit of a bargain!
I don't get an option on cleaning Bob, if I miss a minute speck of dust it gets noted down at inspection time and I lose out on any special perks ;)
i clean the 749 completely after every ride, lube chain and lube all metal. Then Showroom Shine it. i spend aprox 3 hours.
lol i washed my bike 4 times last week. so almost daily for me.
/ian
[Edited on 29-6-2005 by weeian]
[Edited on 29-6-2005 by weeian]
Tabby999r
29-Jun-2005, 23:08
Whats these special perks then Lil ??
Nothing to do with what you wear when you clean the bike .??:lol::lol::P
kwikbitch
30-Jun-2005, 00:11
How do I keep mine looking like new?
Just close my eyes and remember...:lol::lol::lol::frog:
Originally posted by jobr
How Do You Keep Your Pride and Joy Like New?
I give it back to the owner at the end of every race meeting :lol:
66% of the time in one whole piece too!!
phoenix n max
30-Jun-2005, 00:20
Muc off or Gunk the greasy bits - Wash off and dry- Clean wheels with WD - Clean chain and regrease. Polish Tank and screen. Silcone on the seat and nut and bolt and fluid check. Usually the day after I get back from a meeting and the bikes prepped ready for the next. I don't like surprises the day before racing.
In road trim - it's the above too although I may leave it one or 2 days.
Dibble now hates me :lol:
Ive got the autoglym wash, polish, metal cleaner, special cloths, pretty much everything....uuuunnnnfortunately Im too lazy to use them and havent even opened the bottles yet. (moment of madness in the shop)
I clean mine if it gets really dirty, dont usually go out in the rain so not much of a problem. Washed it once with fairy liquid (i know, i know) since I bought it (May).
Nattyboy
30-Jun-2005, 11:29
Cleaning saddo here im afraid..!! Why..?
1) I find it therapeutic...a bit of time away from my 2 young kids on a saturday morning and keeping company with Mr Carlsberg and the iPod while im doing it seems to work wonders for my stress levels..!!
2) I Get a bit of satisfaction when (Keith can relate to this im sure :D) people have a good look over your bike and comment on what a great example it is...especially as one of thems 11 years old.
I must admit im not quite as fussy with the S4R as its newer and you can get away with not cleaning it for a while (only last night removed the gazillions of dead flies from it after my tour of the forest of dean last week), but I do really mollycoddle the 888 for obvious reasons.
As for my routine I guess its similar to others, but a great find was turtle waxes speed wax from there extreme range...(indicated by max power stylee fluro green bottle) best polish ive ever used and just a spray and wipe job..even dibble could use it...!!
Anorak removed...next...:lol:
Nat:o
[Edited on 30-6-2005 by Nattyboy]
yorkshire pud
03-Jul-2005, 13:30
yes must be cleaned. after every ride. or they well take it off you. :alien::alien::lol::lol:. a bit anal hours on sprokets.
philthy
04-Jul-2005, 00:55
Did I just read 3 hours to clean bike after every ride?
That is a fetish !
I used to know someone who would polish the underneath of his mudguards.
Are you long lost twins ?
I havn't seen him for years - he has probably moved on to polishing the tiles on his house roof or something.
Seriously, the only bike I have ever washed and polished on a regular basis was my G**d W**g and that was only because when I bought it my mates all said it was a crying shame that a mint old bike was going to rust away within a year of my ownership. 2 years later I sold it after riding it more than any other bike I have ever owned and only lost two hundred pounds on the deal.
Perhaps the Autoglym and solvol users club have the last laugh at re sale time after all.
[Edited on 3-7-2005 by philthy]
[Edited on 3-7-2005 by philthy]
hehe philthy i just love spending time with my bike whether it be riding it or just being in its presence.
/ian
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