I'm mechanically challenged so detailing is the only thing i'm really good at right now. I've got a Haynes on the way so I can start learning the basics but I ride every day year round cuz i'm a new england transplant living in Florida and it's never too cold to ride so a well ridden bike does not have to mean a dirty bike. 15,000 miles in 14 months and the Scrambler still looks as shiny and beautiful as the day I picked her up and always will. My Friday night ritual is a cold six pack and a bath for my baby with a full waxing and detailing job at least one Saturday per month. I'm still struck by how absolutely beautiful she is every day when I leave work. Last Friday I did a double take because there was a gorgeous Rocket III parked right next to her and Triumphs are few and far between round these parts. I smiled to myself thinking how that will be my baby's big sister in a few years.

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Gabba Gabba Hey!!

How do you keep the salt air from eating @ the galv bolts?? Its a constant challenge for me!! Maybe a newer bike & hasnt caughtup to you yet??

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CAPT D

CAPTDON, if you can find GT-85 anywhere, it is your friend. It contains PTFE which repells dirt, salt, and all sorts of other crap. I clean my wheels with it once a month about. In between cleanings the dirt/lube/brake dust can be sprayed off with a garden hose.

http://www.gt85.co.uk/

if you can't find it, go to a local bicycle shop and ask them to order you some. They can get it from Quality.(a distributor)

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"I never vote for anyone. I always vote against."
W.C. Fields

Originally Posted by texas94fs

I've begun to notice something about lots of the photos here, everyones bikes are way way too **** clean.

That's because we wash them to take pictures of them.

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Ogle my bike here.

Originally Posted by Mancha

That's because we wash them to take pictures of them.

ya... I forgot about that part. lol.

I keep mine pretty clean anyway though.

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"I never vote for anyone. I always vote against."
W.C. Fields

Bah, I've got to drive 1 mile down a dirt road just to leave my house. No real point in putting all that effort into cleaning for it to be ruined 5 minutes later.

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If it's too fast or too loud...You're too old!
'05 Suzuki SV1000s
'06 Triumph Bonneville (Back from the dead)

I've ridden a 1000 miles since the snow stopped and my bike has seen the buisness end of a hose once... however to be fair I ride in all none frozen weather - and freezing weather as long as there is no ice on the ground - so the bike is washed by nature on a fairly regular basis.

I clean mine when I want to take their pic, or if they're going into the workshop (keeps the wrenchers happy). Oherwise they're out being ridden, & they wear their road grime with pride.

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

Originally Posted by killian101

a bonnie black is always clean. The rims are another story. I clean them when i cant stand to look at the dirt. once a month...

Well said that man, if you want to look at clean bikes visit a Triumph showroom.

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Bob - not dead yet
Switch to reserve ~130 miles

I ride, but then I clean. Can't stand to look at my bike when it's dirty. Then again, I enjoy doing both things.

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Gonzo's T100