How to Beautify Your Motorcycle in 10 Minutes

Keeping your pride and joy clean and shiny doesn't have to be a painstaking process. Follow these pointers to make the job quick and simple.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chemical Tire Protector
• Terry Cloth Towels
• Mild Abrasive Soaps
• Mink Oils
• Motorcycle Wheel Wash
• Motorcycle Wash And Wax
• Saddle Soaps
• Engine Degreaser
• Tire Cleaner
• Terry cloth towels

1. Start with the greasy areas: suspension, wheels, engine. Use a degreaser and a soft brush to prevent scratching. Rinse with cycle cleaner. Household detergent can cause corrosion.

2. Spray the entire motorcycle with a name brand cycle cleaner.

3. Hose the bike off softly with tap water. Dry the entire machine with clean terry cloth or a chamois.

4. Squirt motorcycle detail wax on all chrome, aluminum, stainless steel and painted parts, putting particular emphasis on the fenders, the gas tank and the chrome.

5. Wipe the wax off immediately with clean, dry terry cloth.

6. Use a name brand wheel wash on mag wheels, or scrub each spoke on spoke wheels with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry both wheels.

7. Wash the windshield, if you have one, with warm, soapy water. Rinse, and dry with clean terry cloth.

8. Lubricate the chain.

Tips & Warnings

• Read and follow all instructions for cleaning products. Consult your motorcycle dealership for additional tips and recommendations.
• Protect your seat and leather accessories with saddle soap and mink oil.
• Spray your engine with engine degreaser and rinse it off with tap water.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Ask a Motorcycle Mechanic Online Now

on 11/22/2005 I never used a leaf blower to dry the bike off, but I'm sure it's a nice trick. After you dry and wax the bike, the most important thing to do is ride it for an hour afterwards. This ensures that all the water in those hard to dry places is dried up from the heat of the engine.

on 11/22/2005 You can use Pledge/other like furniture polish to effciently clean,wax and protect all plastic,painted metals and to clean plexiglass winddshields and faceshields,streak-free.DO NOT use on tires or seats,as it is too slippery.It works great!

on 11/22/2005 After cleaning your bike,
use a clean dry sponge to spread protectant
on seat tire.

on 11/22/2005 After washing your bike, as stated in these articles, use a grass/leaf blower to get rid of excess water in those hard to reach areas, then finish drying with a chamois or soft cloth.

on 11/22/2005 While you're waiting in between waxing coats, clean your chrome with Windex (or a similar product) and wipe it off with a paper towel.