How do YOU keep your Bagger clean?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
We ride until we're done and then I tear the old machine down to the base bike and scrub it, lasts until the next time we take a long ride!! A Jack and Coke to smooth the nerves while cleaning does take the egde off.
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
I don't have a set schedule on when I clean the bike, but for sure after a ride in the rain....also when I can see a good accumulation (that's relative) of dust on the saddlebags before I pull it out of the garage, I know its time.
I do use the soap and water method...Meguiars Gold class car soap.. and then I dry as best as I can with my "blaster" dryer. I pull the saddlebags and wash them separately inside the house on a carpet. Once every other washing I hit the undercarriage and engine area with Dawn Dishwashing detergent and a rag or brush. I was never a fan of s100...it takes too long to get off, its real easy to get lazy and have a white haze all over. And for shine, its "Pro Honda" spray cleaner... It's called something else now. Even through its aerosol, I have a better time controlling the spray with that than the pump type sprays. The only time I wax it is when I put it away for the winter.
I do use the soap and water method...Meguiars Gold class car soap.. and then I dry as best as I can with my "blaster" dryer. I pull the saddlebags and wash them separately inside the house on a carpet. Once every other washing I hit the undercarriage and engine area with Dawn Dishwashing detergent and a rag or brush. I was never a fan of s100...it takes too long to get off, its real easy to get lazy and have a white haze all over. And for shine, its "Pro Honda" spray cleaner... It's called something else now. Even through its aerosol, I have a better time controlling the spray with that than the pump type sprays. The only time I wax it is when I put it away for the winter.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Actually when it is time for a wash I take the windshiels and saddlebags off, rinse it down and soften up the bugs. While the bugs soak I start with the saddlebags then windshield using a super soapy bucketfull of whatever carwash soap I have on hand, I have a couple different microfiber wash mitts, one is used only on painted surfaces and the windshield the other for the rest and a nother for wheels and lower chassis. I start at the top of the bike and rinsing as I go and finish it with a final rinse with the Mr Clean Aut Wash, no spots at all and then I use a electris leaf blower to dry it off being sort of careful not to blast water into switches and such. Takes about a half hour.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
I sit in the garage with a glass of Captain Morgan and Diet coke in my left hand and a cigar in my right hand. My Greyhound lays at my feet on one of his many beds. We watch the wife as she washes, dries, and waxes all three of the bikes. I am kinda lucky, my wife hates dirty bikes. Sometimes when she's done with the bikes, she cleans up the cars too. That gives me time for another Captain and coke and another cigar.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,930
Likes: 4
From: OHIO......UGH !!
Could at least buy her a jack, so she can do it right !!
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 32,562
Likes: 2,577
From: Shit Weather USA
Exactly what I do,except there is no clothing involved. That way I get a bath too.
Harley Gloss, Meguairs detailer, Purple Slice, Meguairs Ulitmate paste wax, Meguairs quick wax, Pledge on the wheels/dash, Meguairs carwash, Leather oil soap for the seat.