Am I a bit obsessed?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 16
From: Tennessee
Am I a bit obsessed?
Well, my wife says I just like a clean Harley... I just picked up a 2012 Limited and it only has 5000 miles on it. Received a great deal I believe and I have been starting to clean/detail it in my shop since it is too rainy here in Tennessee to ride. Here is the "obsessed" part..... I clean the underside of my motorcycles and I was laying on a blanket next to the bike removing the road grime and grease from the frame underneath this evening, etc.
So, here is the question, do you clean not only the top and sides, but get under your Harley to clean it there as well? Or are you more of a "if it is a little dirty underneath, no big deal rider"? I don't know as there is a right or wrong answer to this, however in my case, with a drink close by, the stereo playing good classic rock or country, me with my cleaning and polishing supplies, this 63 year old dude has to have the damn Harley clean, everywhere including the areas others can't see, like under the damn thing.
Your thoughts on my obsession on a clean scoot.....?
Thanks!
So, here is the question, do you clean not only the top and sides, but get under your Harley to clean it there as well? Or are you more of a "if it is a little dirty underneath, no big deal rider"? I don't know as there is a right or wrong answer to this, however in my case, with a drink close by, the stereo playing good classic rock or country, me with my cleaning and polishing supplies, this 63 year old dude has to have the damn Harley clean, everywhere including the areas others can't see, like under the damn thing.
Your thoughts on my obsession on a clean scoot.....?
Thanks!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 762
Likes: 435
From: NE Oklahoma
Not obsessed - it's called infatuation. 
Nothing wrong with at all. It's your ride so do what you like and if it's making things appear to ride "better" because she's got a clean bottom - more power to you.
Had a few old Chevelles early on (1969 and a then 1967) back in the late '70's and in early '80's that where so clean including the engine bay that they could have been show cars. Each was a gem but a daily driver. It's what make you happy.
Nothing wrong with at all. It's your ride so do what you like and if it's making things appear to ride "better" because she's got a clean bottom - more power to you.
Had a few old Chevelles early on (1969 and a then 1967) back in the late '70's and in early '80's that where so clean including the engine bay that they could have been show cars. Each was a gem but a daily driver. It's what make you happy.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 2,582
From: On my bike!
You are a man who takes care of what he works hard for, I have total respect for that! I am the same way with my 2017 SGS, I wax every square inch of my bike including the frame rails underneath, I even polish the drain plug with mothers. Tank, fairing and bags get a complete wax once a week, overkill, probably, but I love it and it makes me happy to do it.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Here's an idea for you, lay a furniture packing blanket along the right side of the bike and gently lay it over on the safety bars. The bottom will be accessible even easier. Then when you are done have the wife help get the bike upright, make sure the jiffy stand is still down. This makes good practice for those oops occasions.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 16
From: Tennessee
Here's an idea for you, lay a furniture packing blanket along the right side of the bike and gently lay it over on the safety bars. The bottom will be accessible even easier. Then when you are done have the wife help get the bike upright, make sure the jiffy stand is still down. This makes good practice for those oops occasions.
Ahh, don't think that is going happen anytime soon with my bad back, or my 5' wife's bad back either. I think a ride on stand might be a lot better option. Go have another drink and let me know if this is still a good idea in the morning...LOL!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 16
From: Tennessee
Not obsessed - it's called infatuation.
Nothing wrong with at all. It's your ride so do what you like and if it's making things appear to ride "better" because she's got a clean bottom - more power to you.
Had a few old Chevelles early on (1969 and a then 1967) back in the late '70's and in early '80's that where so clean including the engine bay that they could have been show cars. Each was a gem but a daily driver. It's what make you happy.
Nothing wrong with at all. It's your ride so do what you like and if it's making things appear to ride "better" because she's got a clean bottom - more power to you.
Had a few old Chevelles early on (1969 and a then 1967) back in the late '70's and in early '80's that where so clean including the engine bay that they could have been show cars. Each was a gem but a daily driver. It's what make you happy.
Nah, it will not make it ride "better" to me, I just like a clean scoot, like Quik said as well. Now if it was a 67 or 69 Chevelle, well it could make them run better
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 221
From: farmington michigan
Let me ask a question when you take a shower do you only wash the parts that people see or do you do the under carriage too. Just saying
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
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From: Santa Clarita
If it makes ya happy, head on. I will use Gunk Original to get the oily bits clean when I wash mine, although I I am not obsessed about it. I'll let it drip dry or use a leaf blower or compressed air. I HIGHLY recommend never using a pressure washer on a motorcycle however.