As the winter winds whistle outside, there’s still some sanctuary for us as riders, even down here in the deep South where “riding season” is nearly year round.
It’s called the garage. As of this writing, it’s actually cold here, at least for a few days, so I went through and addressed some “deferred” maintenance on the scoots, the 1974, which is really too nice to drag out every weekend and, of course, the old Sportster, now on its third engine and second wiring harness. Oil changed, fuel filters swapped out, one chain tightened and one belt replaced.
Of course, that still left me with another cold, rainy, crummy weekend day.
Time to detail…
If your bike is currently hibernating because you live in the Great White North, then it’s a fine time to fritter away a day getting it truly clean. Why not be ready for the Spring and riding season with a clean, tight ride? So, grab a cold beer, roll up your sleeves, and let’s go over some things to do in the garage this weekend…
- The Chrome
First things first, let’s talk chrome. It’s like crack to most of us with cruisers, and you want it to really shine. If you didn’t want it to look awesome, you’d have just bought stainless, right? Start with a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner – and trust me, everybody has a favorite. Work in sections, applying the cleaner with a soft cloth in circular motions, and getting it all off, too. Rinse, then grab a high-quality chrome polish – again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so what you use isn’t nearly so important as using it. This is where you put in the elbow grease. Polish each piece until you can see your reflection looking back at you. Remember, patience is key. It’s more than just cleaning … but you’ll never explain it to someone who isn’t a rider.
- Paintwork
Moving on to the paintwork. This isn’t just color; it’s a story. When I first rebuilt the Sportster, I was a borderline waxer – I thought the sun rose and set on paint, and paid WAY too much for some pretty humble work. Nonetheless, I’ve taken care of it for years, and even with a couple of half-ass laydowns, it still shines pretty well for single stage. Again, start with a mild soap and water solution, use a microfiber cloth to avoid making more scratches. Dry it thoroughly, then apply a high-grade wax. Work in small sections, buffing to a high sheen.
Yeah, honestly? It’s therapeutic. A beer or two and an hour “wasted” can really get you places on tired paint.
- Fairings, Gaskets, and Chains
Now, let’s focus on the often-overlooked stuff when it comes to detailing: the fairings, valve cover gaskets, battery box, and the chain. Nothing, and I mean nothing, gets dirtier than fairings, between bugs and dirt. You’d better bring your patience and you’re A-game to the windshield and fairings, because crap is always baked on. I like to get the crap stuck on it wet, with glass cleaner, and reapply and clean it at least 2-3 times, paying attention to the nooks and crannies. Since you’ve spent some time up close and personal with the chrome already, you should have a clear shot to your important gaskets, so check them out now, too. If you’re running a chain drive, now’s the time to get filthy and degrease it. Most of the time, I just hose the crap off (or at least loosen it up a bit) with the cheapest brake cleaner the box stores have on the shelf, wipe off the chunks with a rag I never need to use again, then figure out the lubrication situation.
If you spend more time riding than waxing, it’s going to be messy. Period.
- Embrace the Suck
Look, the bottom line is – for riders – detailing your bike is not high on the list, but it’s the main option you have this time of year. You’re going to get dirty. It’s going to take time. You’re probably going to notice that this tire is wearing a little too much, or your brakes have some heat damage. Suck it up and get the parts ordered, and get them installed next weekend, or the weekend after (or take it to the stealership and grab your ankles…). On the other hand, this time of year? Nobody’s fixing anything, so you might score a fast turnaround and save a few bucks catching them when it’s slow. Motorcycles are not maintenance free, but I’d much rather work on a clean one than a greaseball.
- The Final Touch: One More Cold Beer
Is it wasted time, all this cleaning? Well, that depends. Personally, there’s LOTS I could be doing, but when the winter weather is here, most of it doesn’t revolve around bikes. But it is a great feeling, after an afternoon of tidying, to put everything away, crack the next cold beer, and step back and admire. The chrome shines, the paint glows, and every component is checked on and ready for the next ride.
Now that we’ve got the bike sorted out, stay tuned for the next article, where we’ll dig into all that gear you’ve just tossed in a closet in the basement.