Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: oldbike54 on September 06, 2015, 01:22:29 PM
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Just curious . With apologies to Jeff , the old girl got a bath this morning , some degreaser , soap , even a toothbrush was employed . Not gonna claim the Jackal is spotless , but at least now the chrome is somewhat shiny and the engine sorta looks , well , at least not greasy :grin: Come on fellas , fess up , are you a freak for clean , kinda care , or time spent cleaning could be spent riding or chasing momma around the house :laugh:
Dusty
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Somewhere between every 4-8 weeks, depending on whether I rode on wet roads. I won't intentionally ride in the rain but occasionally encounter roads in the mountains near my home where there's been a recent rain shower. If the wheels get very dirty (I have chrome wires and they don't usually get very dirty), I wash the entire bike but if the wheels aren't very dirty, I just spray some water (from a spray bottle) on the painted surfaces and then dry off with a microfiber towel: Then, I spray on some Griot's Garage Speed Shine and wipe with a clean microfiber towel or 100% cotton t-shirt or cloth. I have a black bike and surprisingly, it looks really clean 99% of the time (despite the lack of attention).
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It gets washed every time it rains...
Oh, wait - I live in Las Vegas now. OK, to be honest, it gets washed every 8-10 weeks or so, or if I go on a longer ride where there are bugs and road grime. Not very often, really.
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Well, since I don't often ride in rain and even then they don't get that dirty, not very often. :grin: Still, they get compliments. :cool: There are riders and then there are poseurs. :tongue:
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I have a black bike and surprisingly, it looks really clean 99% of the time (despite the lack of attention).
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I have found the same thing. Most think a black bike is the kiss of death for cleanliness but I find it just the opposite. :thumb:
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I wipe down the front areas of the bike and gas tank after every ride. We have lots of bugs in rural Indiana. I use a wet cloth and then dry with another towel. I then use a Swiffer on the wheels...does a pretty good job. Maybe once/twice a season I'll do an actual wet wash using S100 Total Cycle Wash.
I never ride in the rain.
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Two or three times a year, generally done by some high school group that's having a car wash to raise funds for their activity.
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Dusty,
Pix or it didn't happen.
I clean off dead bugs every ride, like today, especially with the heat. Bug guts and heat = ruined finishes. We get lots of rain and so I get the grime washed off fairly frequently. Pretty bikes please the eye.
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V700-never since 1990, cleaned the rims w/greasing wheel bearings, cleaned out bell housing w/fixing oil leak
Cali2-2yrs ago for sidecar rally
98EV- 3yrs ago w/I put touring fairing on.
"If the bike is too shiny & the clothes are too new, stay the f&%k away!"
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You don't really have a selection for me.
To be honest, I DO LIKE THEM TO LOOK GOOD.
But I'm also a lazy bastard.
Generally speaking they get "WASHED" 2x per year - once in the Spring, once in the Fall.
But IF I get caught in the rain and it's an awful mess, I may make an exception and wash one again mid-season.
AND I confess, I do clean the paint with pledge every now and again mid season.
AND I plexus the windshields/headlights/turn signals etc.
AND I have been known to hit the frame, or parts of the motor or the like with a pledge soaked rag from time to time, or brakekleen chrome, or something else to clean something that's messy.
But mostly, just twice a year.
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I have to admit that I did wash my '13 Stone once, after the oil filler/dipstick unscrewed itself and spewed about 1L of oil all over the rear 2/3 of the bike. Other than on that occasion, my bikes get washed only before I take pics to post on my Craigslist for sale ads.
A thick layer of bug carcasses plastered over the front parts does give a bike a certain credibility.
In contrast to the above, I keep my helmet visor scrupulously clean. Go figure.
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Usually once a week, especially during the winter months when the roads are covered in salt. Maybe less so during finer summer weather when there has been little rain.
"Washing" takes the form of one bucket of hot soapy water liberally applied by sponge then a couple of buckets of cold, clean water expertly aimed to rinse the suds off.
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When I was younger it was once a week or once every 2 weeks, and that included the BMW. Now, I'm happy to do it once a month. I also like to do a serious detail a bit after the season starts and get another in before I put them away. I have a soft haired paint brush that I use to get between the Guzzi's fins. I'm a fan of Turtle Wax and apply and take off by hand. The mags also get the tooth brush treatment. When I have the time, and am properly motivated, I really make them shine.
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Well, I do wash the dirt off every now and then. But, that's the reason I painted it flat black. No reason to shine it up. If the paint gets ugly I get out a spray bomb and paint over the bare spot. Right now the crash bars look like sh*t. They started out chrome and I didn't scuff up the shiny bits well enough before I sprayed them. So, rock pits, bug parts, scuffs from me when working on the bike (they make good hand holds and tie downs for a number of things).
And, I can see some of the original red paint peeking through the paint on the front forks.
Maybe it's time to take it apart and paint it again......nope, I'd rather go out and ride it.
I guess that's my problem. If it is nice enough out to wash it, it's nice enough out to ride it. Easy choice :)
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I must concur, a black bike really does look cleaner most of the time. It's Meguiars quick detailer for me about once a week depending which bike I ride.
And yes Dusty, I voted :boozing:
Paul B :bike-037:
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To me, washing and toothbrushing a bike is a Sisyphean labor that has no end. My driveway is compacted gravel a mile long - if I labor on my bike cleaning all the dirt off and it's shiny and beautiful, by the time I ride out to the end of my driveway to show the world what a lovely bike I have, it's covered with dust (or splattered with mud, if it's raining).
It's just not worth it to me. I'll go over the moving bits that need lubing, and the plastic and clear bits with a spray can of Honda spray cleaner to keep the paint from corroding off from bug guts, but that's just so it'll stay in one piece ....
Lannis
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Its a Stelvio,when it changes colour I hose it down,i am way better at keeping the windshield clean
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All bikes previous to Stelvio, OFTEN.
The Stelvio?
....The Twelfth of Never.
Why? I don't know. Maybe flat colors, maybe it looks "worldly" dirty,
but probably to keep the electrical components healthy :coffee:
I will tell that on my last charity ride (all H-D's and our guzzi), my wife was asked point blank "Why don't you wash that thing?"
Good question...mmmmm??
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Guzzis get washed on an as-needed basis - so I picked the closest option. From a practical perspective, this translates to after any rain or bug-infested ride. But my washes are mostly "spot-washes." I just clean the dirtiest spots. I rarely do a full detail. I am more likely to do a thorough cleaning prior to any maintenance or repair. I like working in a clean environment - and not worrying about dirt falling into holes.
Husqvarna gets washed after almost every ride. But it gets DIRTY!!!
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Riding in the rain is the closest I get to washing my bike. I do, however, clean specific areas when I need to work on it.
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Sometimes the bug guts gets a wipe. It hasn't seen a hose for more than 12 months. I used to wipe it down after every ride and wash it once a week. Then I dropped it. Now I can't be arsed.
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You don't really have a selection for me.
To be honest, I DO LIKE THEM TO LOOK GOOD.
But I'm also a lazy bastard.
Generally speaking they get "WASHED" 2x per year - once in the Spring, once in the Fall.
But IF I get caught in the rain and it's an awful mess, I may make an exception and wash one again mid-season.
AND I confess, I do clean the paint with pledge every now and again mid season.
AND I plexus the windshields/headlights/turn signals etc.
AND I have been known to hit the frame, or parts of the motor or the like with a pledge soaked rag from time to time, or brakekleen chrome, or something else to clean something that's messy.
But mostly, just twice a year.
That pretty much sums up my situation!
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AND I confess, I do clean the paint with pledge every now and again mid season.
I use pledge too. My neighbor has a different brand so I recommended that he use LEMON pledge. :wink:
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My wife has instructed me that she prefers me to ride the bike over cleaning it.
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Wash... Twice a year. otherwise I just wipe my EV down.
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i usually wash before I ride, never after, I will hit the coin-op on the way out of town.. Just blast off the tins, fairing, and wheels/tires..
I'll wash almost every time after I've gotten caught in the rain on my previous ride
If I haven't got caught in the rain or coming home in the dark by the river (holy bugs!), then I generally wash it when it looks dirty?? maybe every 8-10 rides or something like that?
I don't have a hose at my house, so most of my washes are buckets & towels with a pump sprayer. It's more of a euro-style detail job instead of normal American Gunga Din inspired affair
One thing I am fanatical about is helmet cleanliness... I cannot stand a dirty helmet. The Shoei gets a full Pledge massage and buffing before every ride.
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my bikes generally get washed when I ride in the rain.......
JB
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(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/rodekyll1/evil%20twin/tok-final.jpg) (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/rodekyll1/media/evil%20twin/tok-final.jpg.html)
The dirt is what holds the paint on
(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/rodekyll1/evil%20twin/EVl-diamond--bw_zps09355c9f.jpg) (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/rodekyll1/media/evil%20twin/EVl-diamond--bw_zps09355c9f.jpg.html)
gratuitous glamour shot
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After every extended ride. If I just out for a few hours, then no.
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(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/rodekyll1/evil%20twin/tok-final.jpg) (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/rodekyll1/media/evil%20twin/tok-final.jpg.html)
The dirt is what holds the paint on
(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/rodekyll1/evil%20twin/EVl-diamond--bw_zps09355c9f.jpg) (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/rodekyll1/media/evil%20twin/EVl-diamond--bw_zps09355c9f.jpg.html)
gratuitous glamour shot
Is that an automobile tire on the rear?
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No, it's a metzler, I think.
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Sometimes the bug guts gets a wipe. It hasn't seen a hose for more than 12 months. I used to wipe it down after every ride and wash it once a week. Then I dropped it. Now I can't be arsed.
Just focus on your logging and a roller map and we'll all come wash your bike for you :bow:
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I wash mine more than Ken Hand does.
Dave
Galveston
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Dusty Ken may take offense to that. I 'm sayin never ever and that's no shit man. :grin:
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I wash my bike based on condition. As BMWdavid mentioned , there are lots of bugs and sometimes mayflies on rutal routes here in Indiana. I remove the bug juice after a ride on both my bikes. Thorough wash down only happens anout twice per year though-unless I have been running in the rain. Between my bikes I hate doing afull job on my EV....too many shiney bits. My R100 takes anout one third the time to clean.
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No , he swore on a Texas flag that he washed a motorcycle once , scared him so bad it stunted his growth :grin:
Dusty
He's waffling, though, we have photographic evidence on this very site that it's been washed, and thoroughly washed too.
Just because a team of very engaging girls in bikinis washed it FOR him doesn't mean he didn't WASH it .... !! :bow:
Lannis
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I am schizophrenic about bike washing. I do believe in keeping good wax on paint and chrome. Some at least every four months or so, I'll do the ultra clean, and wax and polish everything.
Having done that, if the weather stays nice, I'll do a quick polish every weekend to kept things gleaming.
On the other hand, if the bike gets all grotty because the weather is bad, and it keeps raining, well, I may just keep riding a muddy mule. Maybe for weeks on end. Ok with me.
Some for a long road trip. If it will clearly be nice weather for days, I'll spiff and shine. But if there is any chance of rain, I'd rather hit the road and not be irritated later that my clean bike got dirty.
I think way too many people avoid actually riding the bike for fear of messing up the chrome they spent 5 hours polishing. I'm not in that camp. They are meant to be ridden, so ride them !
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Oh yeah. Another thought about washing. I think it can do more harm than good. I use minimal water. Avoid instruments and bearings. Blow the water off immediately with a leaf blower. Then ride. It's more important to keep things oily and greasy and dry than shiny.
Same philosophy with guns. More guns are screwed up by over zealous cleaning that honest use. Jacked up muzzle crowns, bores stripped of "seasoning" lube, too much gun solvent in action and on wood. Just use the thing!
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I usually just wash the "buggy" parts and the wheels. Mostly it's just gas and :bike-037:
Hunter
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At least weekly during the summer. During the winter, not as often.
Oh, and I ride nearly every day, even in the rain. (I commute by Moto Guzzi or Vespa, and I work most days.)
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G11 doesn't like to get wet and she tells me with her fritzy electronics.
I do give her a wipe every couple of weeks but never a hose.
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Deb and pulled into a Best western hotel in Little Rock AR after about 200 miles on dirt roads just looking around Arkansas. There was a group of Goldwing riders with what appeared to be new bikes and new leathers posing. They did not acknowledge our presence, I looked over at Deb, who looked like she and her Ambassador had just came in after a month in the bush. I wash when I start to worry about corrosion and if I plan on doing some posing....
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Depends on which bike. To dual sport bike gets washed/hosed off far more than the road bikes.
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The lemans and Eldo stay cleaned because they are old and speacial , the Buell when it looks dirty,which takes a while with no shinie bits,the XT if it was a muddy ride.
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A bike can hold only so much dirt before it starts falling off on its own ; besides we're in a drought here .
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I like mine to look good when I ride. Once a week on the wheels that were re-powder coated a few years ago on the Cal II, yes Dusty I still have it, and Mother's California Gold Instant Detailer in between the quarterly wax jobs. Linkages get a good dose of white silicone lube after each wash. About the same for my piaggio MP3 250 ie. The r1150R gets a monthly.
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I wash when needed. Between washes I use a spray wax on the tank, side covers, and other painted areas to keep it looking nice.
When it deserves a full cleaning I use this followed by a leaf blower:
http://simplegreen.com/cleaning-tips/rooms/hobbies/motorcycles/extreme-motorsports-cleaner-degreaser/
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I wash when needed. Between washes I use a spray wax on the tank, side covers, and other painted areas to keep it looking nice.
When it deserves a full cleaning I use this followed by a leaf blower:
http://simplegreen.com/cleaning-tips/rooms/hobbies/motorcycles/extreme-motorsports-cleaner-degreaser/
I use regular Simple Green when things have gotten greasy. Works great. I have an air compressor, so when I wet-wash the bike, I use compressed air with a blow-nozzle to get water out of all the little places. It's amazing how much water comes out of screw heads and all manner of other places. I generally give it a quick ride too - so the wind and heat will help get rid of the remaining moisture. A little WD(Water Displacement)-40 for places such as footpeg pivots.
The Scura gets special treatment - matte finish products. Normal polishes and waxes can destroy a matte finish.
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Washing sucks.
You're gonna be green with envy! I got a new vacuum on order! Oh boy!
Its a 2 gallon wet-dry portable that uses 120 ac power OR uses 18/20volt lithum Dewalt battery packs, with a 1 micron HEPA filter with washable reusable filter! Super quality expanding hose! :thumb:
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/DeWalt%20vacuum_zpsdjmrlat3.jpg)
and it blows.
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Sorry Kimosabe, can't vote. It's not a timed event, It's when they're dirty or excessively bug splattered. But you know I like a clean machine. anything worth having is worth taking care of in my opinion. If everyone else wants to ride a funky Guzzi, knock yourself out!
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/guzzistajohn/cleanmachine2_zpsccc62a4d.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/guzzistajohn/media/cleanmachine2_zpsccc62a4d.jpg.html)
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Wait , in this deal you would be Kimosabe :laugh:
AND , tell the truth , you fit in the first category :grin:
Dusty
I don't think I have ever washed pre-ride. And I NEVER wash on a trip, an old beemer rider told me it was bad Ju Ju.
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Wow. That red CX100 is gorgeous.
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I keep the bike looking as new as possible, and I've had people ask me if it's brand new.
Every Guzzi is a brand ambasador, I like to keep it looking spiffy.
But I'm also lazy. I'll wax every week because it only takes 10 minutes but cleaning the swingarm is more like every 4-6 weeks.
I also keep the oil off of the trasmission case as it drips off the right TB. So far it hasn't had a chance to stain the metal there.
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She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean. - AC/DC
My Scura was spotless before this ride, and a couple muddy run-off sections did enough "damage" to warrant another full clean (and I hit a few flocks of bugs later).
(http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m492/timscudder/San%20Diego%20Loop%20for%20V11LeMans/DSC_0009.jpg) (http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/timscudder/media/San%20Diego%20Loop%20for%20V11LeMans/DSC_0009.jpg.html)
I want to keep this one looking new as long as possible.
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Wash?
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/how-to-clean-your-motorcycle-helmet-76955_1_zps8nzoir8f.jpg)
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When we were in Sturgis we got rain one night. That's the only bath my Eldo has had this year.
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He's waffling, though, we have photographic evidence on this very site that it's been washed, and thoroughly washed too.
Just because a team of very engaging girls in bikinis washed it FOR him doesn't mean he didn't WASH it .... !! :bow:
Lannis
NO. The bikini babes would not wash my blue/bug Guzzi. Beaver has pictures that prove they wouldn't touch it.
I like to look at a clean bike, however, if I clean mine and take off I'll hit fresh tar, or I get to follow the water truck thru construction or the road crew is sawing cement or a bull hauler passes me and.....
OTOH there are some so paranoid they won't go down a 1/2 mile a gravel to see something.
How many on this list have had their Guzzis abducted by the dealer and taken to a car wash?
Tex
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I must concur, a black bike really does look cleaner most of the time. It's Meguiars quick detailer for me about once a week depending which bike I ride.
And yes Dusty, I voted :boozing:
Paul B :bike-037:
Nothing better than Turtle Wax "Black Wax" for a black bike. I keep a bottle of their Black Detailer on hand for a quick wipe down every once in a while too.
I know a lot of people look down their noses at Turtle Wax but those folks have been making vehicle wax for quite a while now and they have it pretty well figured out. It's easy, it's shiny, it protects the paint -- what more could you want?
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NO. The bikini babes would not wash my blue/bug Guzzi. Beaver has pictures that prove they wouldn't touch it.
I like to look at a clean bike, however, if I clean mine and take off I'll hit fresh tar, or I get to follow the water truck thru construction or the road crew is sawing cement or a bull hauler passes me and.....
OTOH there are some so paranoid they won't go down a 1/2 mile a gravel to see something.
How many on this list have had their Guzzis abducted by the dealer and taken to a car wash?
Tex
Lannis, Tex is right. Those sweet bike washers refused to touch Tex's bike because it was soooo covered with bugs and dirt. Ewwwww! They swatted him away with their towels.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t184/AngelAnnievtx/Bikini%20Bike%20Wash%20Eurosport%2082507/12-Goongetouttahere-1.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/AngelAnnievtx/media/Bikini%20Bike%20Wash%20Eurosport%2082507/12-Goongetouttahere-1.jpg.html)
Beaver
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Nothing better than Turtle Wax "Black Wax" for a black bike. I keep a bottle of their Black Detailer on hand for a quick wipe down every once in a while too.
I know a lot of people look down their noses at Turtle Wax but those folks have been making vehicle wax for quite a while now and they have it pretty well figured out. It's easy, it's shiny, it protects the paint -- what more could you want?
Been using the regular Turtle Wax for years. Got the tank on the BMW so shiny that you can see your own reflection.
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Lannis, Tex is right. Those sweet bike washers refused to touch Tex's bike because it was soooo covered with bugs and dirt. Ewwwww! They swatted him away with their towels.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t184/AngelAnnievtx/Bikini%20Bike%20Wash%20Eurosport%2082507/12-Goongetouttahere-1.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/AngelAnnievtx/media/Bikini%20Bike%20Wash%20Eurosport%2082507/12-Goongetouttahere-1.jpg.html)
Beaver
Beaver,
Is that your bikini wrapped around his neck? :wink:
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Lannis, Tex is right. Those sweet bike washers refused to touch Tex's bike because it was soooo covered with bugs and dirt. Ewwwww! They swatted him away with their towels.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t184/AngelAnnievtx/Bikini%20Bike%20Wash%20Eurosport%2082507/12-Goongetouttahere-1.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/AngelAnnievtx/media/Bikini%20Bike%20Wash%20Eurosport%2082507/12-Goongetouttahere-1.jpg.html)
Beaver
It's a fair cop.
I have NO idea why I missed the fact that the bike hadn't been washed ... Can't imagine how I got distracted ....
Lannis
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I'm in the 'meh' category.
When I had a Royal Star Tour Deluxe I found I cleaned it far more than I liked. It just seemed to demand it. The odd thing is, first thing after cleaning it, I would find some dusty back road to ride down - some sort of weird compulsion.
Nick
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I'll wash it if I've been out in the rain and it's nasty. Normally, just a spray & wipe product of some type.. whatever is on sale. (Guzzi content) :smiley: When I'm wiping it down I'm more likely to see that loose fastener or start of a crack, etc. It's just good maintenance. <shrug>
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I washed all my bikes last year, in the spring I think. They are looking like honest working machines now and I think I will probably wash them next year sometime.
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There's a local "bike night" where they are hoping for an "eclectic" mix of bikes. It's tonight in a local town, so since I just got back from Ohio on the BSA in damp weather, I thought I might pull it out in the sun, with a roll of paper towels and a spray can of cleaner, and touch it up a little.
Cleaning the bike this way makes you put your hands all over it. While I was cleaning the carburetor, I noticed that it was loose on the manifold. Bike running and idling like a sewing machine, and the carb rattling back and forth - that's a BSA for you ....
So I snugged it up (can't tighten those alloy-bodied Amals too much or you'll warp the slide bore and there's no fixing it), and considered that one reason to clean a bike might be to find loose fasteners or things getting ragged or old - you can "see" things with your hands that your eyes don't spot ....
Wonder how many brands of bikes will be represented tonight? I'm guessing 80% will be Brand H ... but we'll see!
Lannis
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Hmm , 3 of you guys are admitting to being in the 1st category , if you would like , I'll bring you some more bikes to wash :grin:
Seriously , doing that many washes requires a real commitment :bow:
Dusty
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I'm guessing 80% will be Brand H ... but we'll see!
Wow - that's a lot of Husqvarnas, Husabergs, and Hodakas - or did you mean Hyosung? Take pics.
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Wow - that's a lot of Husqvarnas, Husabergs, and Hodakas - or did you mean Hyosung? Take pics.
Just got home. I took pics with my GoPro, but they have to go onto my wife's laptop (mine won't read the MicroSD card), then thumb-drived over to mine, then to Photobucket then on here, and I'm tired. Tomorrow!
Suffice it to say I was wrong, not for the first time and not for the last. A lot of neat bikes and people and a good time. Only ONE BSA though!
Lannis