Depending on its color, a road bike or motorcycle may not appear to be dirty. If it has been ridden, it is dirty and needs to be cleaned. Keeping a road bike clean helps to protect the paint, the chrome and also helps to access any maintenance wear.
Cleaning Supplies for the Road Bike
Keep the cleaning supplies for the road bike in a bucket that can be used for washing. Keep this bucket in a handy location so that it is easily accessible. The road bike should be cleaned after every trip, especially if it has been ridden in fowl weather, or on oil covered roads.
Essential cleaning supplies for the road bike are:
1. Mild auto washing detergent
2. Soft cloths or a sponge
3. Chrome cleaner
3. A stiff brush for the tires
4. Glass cleaner for mirrors and lights
5. Absorbent cloths to dry the road bike
6. Leather conditioner for the seat
7. Polish or wax for after the cleaning
8. Bug or tar remover (optional)
You should also have access to a garden hose with a spray nozzle that has various settings on it. Wash the road bike or motorcycle in the shade if possible to avoid the detergent drying to fast in the sun.
How to Wash the Road Bike
If the road bike has saddle bags make sure they are empty and securely closed. Remove any bungee cords. Spray the entire road bike down with a gentle spray from the garden hose nozzle. This will help to soak any dirt or grime for easy removal.
Fill the wash bucket and add the appropriate amount of detergent. If the road bike has tar or oil on it, remove that first. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and rinse the road bike thoroughly to remove the tar remover residue.
Soak a sponge or cloth in the soapy wash water. Start soaping the bike at the handlebars. Work the sponge into the spaces between the cables and the clutch and break lever. Work quickly and rinse the soap off as you wash each section. Rinse the sponge often.
Continue washing and rinsing the road bike by moving to the tank, the seat, each fender, the engine and then the wheels. Change the wash water as often as necessary to keep grit and grime from settling on the washing sponge. Allowing the sponge to pick up grit from the water will scratch the paint or chrome.
Use the tire brush to scrub the sides of the tires. Dunk the brush in soapy water, scrub thoroughly and rinse with the garden hose. Give the entire road bike a final rinse to remove any soap you have left behind.
Dry and Examine the Road Bike
Dry the road bike with an absorbent cloth. An old towel works well. Drying insures that the paint or chrome doesn’t have water spots. Drying the road bike also helps you to examine it for any wear or mechanical problems.
As you dry, look the cables and wires over carefully for any signs of deterioration. Check for worn spots or splits. Check for tire wear while you are drying the fenders. It is a good idea to check all parts of the road bike while you have the hands on of washing and drying it.
Dry the seat and check for signs of loose stitching or minor tears that may absorb water. Follow the drying up by using a conditioner on the seat and polishing the paint and chrome.
Following this technique of how to wash a road bike will not only give you a clean, sparkling bike, it will protect the paint and chrome and keep you apprised of any maintenance issues.
References:
Monkey See: Washing Your Motorcycle
Sound Rider: Motorcycle Detailers Notebook
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- How to Car Wash?
- How to Clean Cloth Car Seats?
- How to Clean Interior of Car?
- How to Clean a Car Interior?
