Cleansing a Motorcycle

To understand how to properly detail a bicycle, you can chat with our expert detailers. We can lead you through our detailed motorcycle detailing instructions. A technique for cleaning a motorcycle may appear excessive, particularly the requirement for several rinse/dry cycles, but this is how we attain excellence.

Work in the shade, and do not begin cleaning the engine until it has cooled to the touch. Remove and set away the seat and leather saddlebags. Then, cover the battery with plastic and seal the exhaust pipe(s) with plastic wrap and a rubber band.

Next, perform a pre-rinse with plain water to remove dust and debris from the surface. A garden hose nozzle resembling a fireman's nozzle works well since you can adjust the spray pattern for each section of the bicycle. Rinse the bike with a pressure washer, but adjust the pressure to its lowest level and maintain a healthy distance to avoid injuring the softer metal and plastic components. Use a moderate stream around wheel hubs to prevent water from entering bearings.

After the rinse, perform a prewash. Use a gentle car wash soap (such as Shampoo and Conditioner), a microfiber wash mitt, and separate buckets for soap and rinse. The prewash only removes mild road grime and mud. Don't use your mitt to scrub the extremely unclean and greasy areas. Save these for the specific cleaners you will use in the future. Rinse the bike and dry it immediately to prevent wet marks. Instead of wiping the entire motorcycle by hand, use a power blower or compressed air with a pressure of less than 70 psi. Remove any residual moisture using a microfiber towel woven with a waffle pattern.

Next, clean the tires, wheels, and spokes with a cleaner that is "safe for aluminum."

Clean the dashboard with a mild cleaner. Then, use an Ultra Finishing Polish to polish the dashboard. Apply the same wax on the windshield.

Then, use a spray cleaner and brushes to clean the engine, transmission, chain, or driveshaft housing. If the cleaner is ineffective at removing caked-on grease, dilute a heavy-duty degreaser 4:1 with water or dilute a moderate degreaser such as Simple Green 50/50 with water. Apply the diluted degreaser and be prepared to use some effort to complete the task. Never use a full-strength degreaser to clean your bicycle.

Before polishing the chrome, replace the microfiber towel with a 100% cotton cloth. You may use an old T-shirt or dish towel if you first remove the seams. Synthetic-thread-stitched seams can damage chrome, and the seams can retain dirt. Then, employ the same polish utilized on the dashboard.

Leather Therapy Wash, Leather Therapy Restorer, and Conditioner, or Meguiar's D180 can be utilized to clean the leather seat and saddlebags. There are no slick ingredients in these items, so you won't slide off the seat.

Next, use a fresh batch of soapy water to eliminate any lingering cleaner residue. Then, thoroughly rinse and dry the bicycle.

Use 303 Aerospace Protectant to clean and protect rubber foot pegs/rests and pedals. The substance contains UV inhibitors to prevent rubber breakdown and dries to a matte surface that is nonslip. Then, using Sonax Polymer Net Shield, seal painted areas.