Give it a spruce up
Banish the last baked-on flies after a summer of fun
1 Bonus biking time
We’ve been blessed with an extended summer this year. A sunny, warm September and October have provided bonus biking time due to much better weather than normal. But that also means giving your bike an ‘end of season’ clean requires a little more effort as insects and road tar take some extra knowhow to get them shifted.
2 Moisten things up
Prepare your bike by ensuring engine and exhausts are cold as any heat will evaporate water and cleaning compounds leaving a residue. Place the bike on front and rear stands if possible so both wheels are off the ground. Pre-rinse with a hose, directing the spray to loosen and remove any large clumps of dirt. Continue until the bike is completely soaked.
3 Lotions and potions
Use only a motorcycle-specific cleaner and take care not to confuse a motorcycle cleaning product with a bike degreaser. Spray the cleaner onto the machine’s still-wet panels – as it hits the surface it will get to work immediately as it reacts with the water. Leave the cleaner to work for two or three minutes (make sure you read the instructions first).
4 Agitating cleaner with long-reach brush
Work the cleaner into chassis parts and engine first. Using a suitable brush, agitate the cleaner lightly. Don’t scrub aggressively as this will cause scratching. The cleaner will loosen dirt and squashed bugs, making it easy to remove. In very dirty areas rinse off and re-apply as many times as necessary. Any ‘baked-on’ bugs, road tar or chain lube can be cleaned later.
5 Zap those bugs
Hardened bugs can be difficult to remove without aggressive scrubbing which can cause damage. Instead use a dedicated cleaner. This Autoglym Active Insect Remover (£8.49) is one of the best – just spray it on, leave it to soak for 30s and the insects can be wiped away. Don’t forget areas such as the front of the forks.
6 Get rid of that tar
Rides on hot summer days can result in moulten tar being flung up from your tyres onto your bike’s bodywork. A dedicated tar removing solution is the best cleaning answer. Follow the instructions on the label and only use to ‘spot clean’ the exact areas where the tar is found, such as on the underside of exhausts.
7 Give it a good old rinse
Give the bike a thorough rinse with a pressure washer or hose. The idea is to remove all traces of dirt and any remaining product. Use a hose to ‘back flush’ the radiator so dirt and insects are forced out the front. Run your fingers over the surface – if it feels even slightly slimy there’s product remaining. Aim for a ‘squeaky’ clean feel.
8 Remove old lube
With the bike rinsed check around the back wheel and side panels for stray chain lube. A normal cleaning agent often isn’t sufficient to shift it. There are several dedicated cleaners for this job: Sportsbikeshop Essentials cleaner performs well for its bargain price of £4.99, however S100’s Power Gel is the undisputed champ.
9 Don’t leave it damp
Dry with a quality drying cloth. Start from the top of the machine and work down. Turn the cloth as you go and wring out as necessary. Ensure there are no hidden pools of water in any crevices, for example under the fuel filler cap. An airline, if you have access to one, is good for blasting out water from tricky-to-reach areas.
10 Now for a buff up
Apply polish as per instructions. Take care not to put it directly on top of raised or embossed lettering, bolts or trim, as this will cause the wax to leave deposits. Apply with a separate cloth or specific applicator. Let it dry to a dull haze then buff off with a polishing cloth, turning as necessary to maintain a clean polishing area.