How to Get That Bike as Shiny as the Day You Bought It

Why should you wash your bike?

If you’ve invested a lot of money in your motorcycle, you deserve to have it looking its best at all times. There’s no point in buying an expensive bike if you’re going to let it become dirty and beat up. Making your motorcycle seem “spick and span” before selling it is a surefire technique to boost its worth and the amount someone is ready to pay. The ability to inspect your motorcycle for damage while washing it is an additional, valuable benefit.

What do you need?

In my opinion, a paddock stand is an essential piece of equipment. Every motorcyclist needs a paddock stand for quick and easy bike servicing. To effectively remove chain lube and grease from your motorcycle, I advise using a pressure washer or high-pressure spray nozzle, a paintbrush with bristles trimmed to about 2 inches long, and a degreaser. Motorcycle shampoo (not dishwashing liquid; salt-containing products should be avoided) and WD40 will also come in handy, as will a high-quality absorbent cloth to dry things off if they get wet. A high-quality wax is essential for a professional-looking motorbike finish.

You’ll need an assortment of Allen keys to remove the exterior trim. This is crucial because the amount of dirt and grime that collects under the bodywork can damage your motorcycle, and cleaning it will make it look like a pro did it.

Motorcycle maintenance is a breeze.

The only justification for not doing this is a fear of labor. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to do this. Therefore you shouldn’t fret over the possibility of damaging something. This is the groundwork for future repairs and a primer on your motorcycle’s fundamentals.

Step 1

Put your bike on the paddock stand to turn the rear wheel and work on the bike quickly. Verify that a high-pressure nozzle or pressure washer is attached to the end of your hose. You shouldn’t do this after a long ride to prevent the soapy water from drying up too fast; ideally, your motorcycle should be excellent.

Step 2

The chain must be lubricated to prevent water from entering the links. Therefore, this is crucial. Apply degreaser with the shortened paintbrush and carefully dab off any accumulated grease or oil (often the back wheels, front sprockets, etc.). The bearings and the chain will dry and freeze if you soak them.

Step 3

It’s time to give your bike a good soaking in the cleaning solution or soapy water. The tank, the screen, and the switchgear can get away with only a light misting, but you should go to town on any spots where dirt has piled up. Spray heavily on the engine’s front, as this is where filth accumulates, then work grime loose with a sponge or cloth if necessary.

Step 4

Start up the pressure washer and blast away the loose debris; doing so will make scrubbing the soapy water with a sponge much less scratchy. When working on your motorcycle, always begin at the top and work your way down, avoiding the switchgear and bearings. When cleaning the radiator, it’s best to use a gentler spray.

Step 5

Get behind the handlebars of your motorcycle and lift it off the paddock stand. Now that you’ve got a firm grip on your bike and have lifted it off its paddock stand, you may lean it to one side and rest it on your knee. Doing so will aid in drying off your motorcycle; once one side is done, flip it over and repeat on the other. After letting the excess water drain off, you may return the bike to its paddock stand and remove the fairing. Soak any remaining moisture with a towel and prioritize giving your engine your full attention rather than the body.

Step 6

Use your cleaning product on the bike parts that the fairing prevented you from accessing. Components like the radiator and the engine’s head belong here. Use the washer to blow off the cleaning solution, but be careful not to damage the battery or other sensitive components by missing them.

Step 7

Use a clean sponge or cloth and a pail of warm water to wash the motorcycle with motorcycle shampoo. Removed panels should be washed and then rinsed in clean water. While they’re drying, wash the remainder of your bike in clean, cold water.

Step 8

Once you’ve drained all the water from your motorcycle, use the WD40 on the moving parts like the throttle and switches.

Step 9

After drying, you can reinstall the motorcycle’s bodywork and lubricate the bolt threads. You should also apply oil to moving parts, such as pivots.

Step 10

Motorcycles will inevitably acquire scratches from riding over loose gravel, but you can buy some touch-up paint at the store if you see one. You might try buffing off the little scratches while washing your motorcycle with T-cut repair cream.

Step 11

It’s time to work with the wax or polish to make it sparkle and shine. If you want your wax or shine to appear its best, apply it slowly and carefully.

Finished

Now that you’ve finished cleaning your motorcycle, you can kick back with a cold one or head out for a spin to show off your hard work (though I wouldn’t recommend doing both). Do this at least once a month, or if you’re selling a motorcycle, the day before a potential buyer arrives to look at it. Cleaning your bike frequently can help you learn more about it and develop a strong emotional connection.

I recommend this business if you need a dependable and sturdy paddock stand. Paddock stands, and a wide variety of cleaning and lubricating products are available.

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