Am I a bit obsessed?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
I think you are doing what you enjoy and maintaining your bike to a very high standard in the process.....!
You are not alone.....
I am retired, I have 3 Harleys, and built myself a little shop to work on my bikes. I have a lift table, a J&S jack, and a bunch of time....
Each bike gets detailed 1X a year. I will detail a bike for a second time, if it gets caught in the rain or particularly dirty from a long or multi-day ride.
They start off on the J&S jack, where they are power washed (avoiding wheel bearings and direct spray on electrical connectors), after the frame and bottom of motor/frame are sprayed with Simple Green Extreme (it's easier on metals/ especially aluminum).
Then all tins are clay barred, polished, and sealed. All chrome is polished and sealed. All rubber/plastic is treated..
It takes a solid 6/7 hours (working slowly) per bike and they look better than new when finished.
Other than having a really clean looking bike, here are the other benefits;
1) By keeping it clean (detail spray between washes & details) it actually cleans up easier, and there are very few signs of any corrosion in all the usual places.
2) In doing such an extensive cleaning at least 1X a year, I am inspecting every inch of the bike. You will see the start of any oil leaks, broken zip ties, wear marks showing potential chafe spots/problems, etc.
Granted I wouldn't do it this way, if I didn't have the time or if I didn't enjoy working on my bikes... plus it helps with the maintenance side of things...
I still put about 30K miles total, between all three bikes, so it doesn't affect my riding time...
Keep up the good work...
You are not alone.....
I am retired, I have 3 Harleys, and built myself a little shop to work on my bikes. I have a lift table, a J&S jack, and a bunch of time....
Each bike gets detailed 1X a year. I will detail a bike for a second time, if it gets caught in the rain or particularly dirty from a long or multi-day ride.
They start off on the J&S jack, where they are power washed (avoiding wheel bearings and direct spray on electrical connectors), after the frame and bottom of motor/frame are sprayed with Simple Green Extreme (it's easier on metals/ especially aluminum).
Then all tins are clay barred, polished, and sealed. All chrome is polished and sealed. All rubber/plastic is treated..
It takes a solid 6/7 hours (working slowly) per bike and they look better than new when finished.
Other than having a really clean looking bike, here are the other benefits;
1) By keeping it clean (detail spray between washes & details) it actually cleans up easier, and there are very few signs of any corrosion in all the usual places.
2) In doing such an extensive cleaning at least 1X a year, I am inspecting every inch of the bike. You will see the start of any oil leaks, broken zip ties, wear marks showing potential chafe spots/problems, etc.
Granted I wouldn't do it this way, if I didn't have the time or if I didn't enjoy working on my bikes... plus it helps with the maintenance side of things...
I still put about 30K miles total, between all three bikes, so it doesn't affect my riding time...
Keep up the good work...
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 142
I am like you, obsessed with it being clean and sparkly etc etc. There are two reasons I am like that. First is I like detail. Every nut and bolt and part to be clean, free from grease, grime, road dirt etc. It shows anyone that appreciates your machine that you take care of it down to the finish detail. Secondly and most important of all is that when one pays such detail to cleaning their bike, the chance of issues arising from leaks, to loose or worn parts are more readily seen. You life depends upon how good you take care of that bike. Do you really just want to hose it down?
randy
randy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
I ride my bike back and forth to work nearly every day. It's filthy.
However; all maintenance is up to date, tires are good, fresh grease/oil everywhere and it runs like a swiss watch.
carl
However; all maintenance is up to date, tires are good, fresh grease/oil everywhere and it runs like a swiss watch.
carl
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,082
Likes: 19,240
From: The Wasteland
Nope. I aint got time for all that cleaning. I wash it three or four times a year usually. If its really lucky I slap a coat of wax on her. As for underneath, the only clean spots under there are around the drain plugs and where the footboards scrape on the road. If I cant see it I aint washin it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,010
Likes: 6,907
From: NC
I have ridden for days on trips, in the rains. Use S100 when I arrive home, all is well again. I clean when I do maintenance, as that's when I am touching stuff anyway.
My bike would drive clean freaks nuts.
My bike would drive clean freaks nuts.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 374
Likes: 15
From: Alberta, Canada
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