How often do I NEED to clean my bike?

[Brucey]

Dear all,

How often should I be washing my bike? I ride all year, most weathers (don't particularly like thick fog) as long as it's above freezing. I don't want to enter the bike show next year, just stop it rusting, paint flaking off, rotting to the point stuff siezes brake bleed nipples, caliper pins etc.

Many thanks.

[ProfG]

Get it treated with All Year Biker and you will not have any of these problems. All you need to do then is just rinse it and wipe it off. No flaking, no rust and no worries and when the treatment is finished, it will be in showroom condition  

Now to contact All Year Biker for my commission  

[Jacko]

If you treat it well with acf50 you can just rinse the brakes once a week and everything will be fine when you clean it all off in the spring.

[MartinW]

+1 for ACF-50, easy to do yourself too.

[Locky]

Mr Diver is the man for good advise on bike cleaning  

[Juvecu]

Yes, Diver cleans his more often than he wants us to think he does

[imindoors]

+1 again on acf50. I use it all year round, but I do live in Wales.

[mr_diver]

Yes, Diver cleans his more often than he wants us to think he does

I don't bloody think so!

I Haven't washed it since the first weekend in July when we were riding the byways in Salisbury.
Have cleaned the mud off the front and rear lights and number plate.  
I still can't see through the screen.

I'm starting to get the dirty streaky lines down the top fairing and the swing arm is under a good few mm's of grime now. (very little rain this summer)

Don't clean them through winter- spray on protection- ACF50, GT85 ect (WD40 is crap) let the crud build up and just rinse it down on a regular basis with fresh water. Pay attention to the brakes but only an in-direct spray from the hose around bearings and electrical bits. (not pressure washer- ever!)
Then re-coat with another layer of ACF50 ect.

I take a 2lt bottle of water with a sport bottle cap in my bag to work, spray the bike over when I get to work and fill it again for when I get home.

Apart from the dings and scratches, when you scrub my bike in the spring it looks just as good as a one year old bike that's never been out in the rain ad it's been though 4 winters with me. used more or less everyday.

[macamx]

Acf 50 everytime but use Acf50 corrossion block grease on really vunerable parts.

Geoff.

[jabmotorsport]

WD40 is crap

I have properly fallen out with you Mr Diver!!!  


+1 for acf

[Locky]

A bloke at work uses this on his VFR800  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWARFEGA-DUCK ... 4897.l4275
It's kept it in very good condition over the last 4 winters, uses it the same way you would with ACF 50.

I agree with Diver regarding WD40.

[Playsatan]

I've never washed mine and it's been used for a daily commute in all weather for the last 7 years. It'll never win any beauty contests but what v strom would.

I can provide pictures for those brave enough.

[UK_Vstrom650]

[Playsatan]

Those of a nervous or OCD disposition should look away now.











The bolt holding the chain guard worked loose and disturbed the swingarm's protective layer, spot the new shineyness

[MartinW]

On the positive side, no need to blur your number plate for the photos.  

[Yoyo]

I saw that engine and had a little cry!

[Holmsey]

WOW   ...... that makes mine look like it's just come from the showroom.

I bet you don't take it out in the rain for fear of washing the dirt off  

If you actually cleaned her she might fall to bits  

[tomcat]

Looking at playsatans photographs, the answer to how often should you wash your bike is easy.

DAILY….

[Locky]

what's the mileage Playsatan ? Looks like it's been used as a ships anchor.

[Jacko]

That's some world class neglect right there.