Triumphrat

mikester2008 · 03-13-2010, 11:02 PM

I just can't keep myself from cleaning and protecting, however, I prefer a good "used look" over a "I hardly ride my bike" look.

Old Scratcher · 03-14-2010, 07:01 AM

I find a good clean look only last until I next use my bike. & I use my bike all the time. Ergo...............

Sp00ky · 03-14-2010, 08:40 AM

A regular clean-up keeps your Bonny looking good. It also lets you see if it has any defects like loose bolts, oil leaks, worn parts like chain and sprockets, etc..

You don't have to go crazy about keeping it clean *all* the time, just a regular schedule of general maintenance and a good wipe over every week or so.

Tire pressures should be checked before every ride, your life may rely on those pressures being correct !

Engine oil should also be checked before every ride.

The only parts on the bike I keep absolutely spotless *all* the time, are my mirrors. I want to be able to see who is behind me ....

S.

97TB · 03-14-2010, 12:27 PM

I keep my bike clean. I actually wipe the bugs off with protectall after every ride. Dirt and full cleanings can wait a few weeks though.

Slinky · 03-14-2010, 02:59 PM

I would like to have a gleaming, mint bike but riding all year round, it's not gonna happen. It's a question of finding a compromise, sort of clean and sort of dirty.

The Bonneville is a bike that I have found is really pretty time consuming to clean properly.

greatescape · 03-14-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slinky

I would like to have a gleaming, mint bike but riding all year round, it's not gonna happen. It's a question of finding a compromise, sort of clean and sort of dirty.

The Bonneville is a bike that I have found is really pretty time consuming to clean properly.

I agree, unless of course for those with a Bonnie Black! (not me)

daydream · 03-14-2010, 08:07 PM

My theory is, "a clean bike is an inspected bike". Other than that I ride it and when it's dirty, I clean it. I ride it because I enjoy it, I would never turn down a ride because it might get dirty or wet.

Tom: HappySidecar

Baltobonneville · 03-15-2010, 12:35 PM

A clean shiny bike tells me that the owner spends more time cleaning than riding. I've seen Harleys parked at work that look as if they've never been ridden, not a bit of dirt even in the most inaccessible crevices.

Mine is as clean as it needs to be, but I'm not wasting many hours of my valuable time cleaning it.

97TB · 03-15-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baltobonneville

A clean shiny bike tells me that the owner spends more time cleaning than riding. I've seen Harleys parked at work that look as if they've never been ridden, not a bit of dirt even in the most inaccessible crevices.

Mine is as clean as it needs to be, but I'm not wasting many hours of my valuable time cleaning it.

Clean and ridden aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. I don't consider it a waste of valuable time to clean my bike, personally. Not to mention that proper and frequent cleaning keeps corrosives off of the bike.

Baltobonneville · 03-15-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97TB

Clean and ridden aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. I don't consider it a waste of valuable time to clean my bike, personally. Not to mention that proper and frequent cleaning keeps corrosives off of the bike.

Of course. And that's what I mean when I say mine is as clean as it needs to be. It gets wiped down, cleaned off, occasionally waxed on the painted bits, but it's not showroom-clean. I don't ride in rain or muck, to the extent that I can avoid it, which helps.