Just a thought
Author
Discussion

alpine-star

Original Poster:

220 posts

279 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
Does any one know if bike valeting services exist, do people know of any and if so would you use then or do you prefer to spend time cleaning the winter crap of your own bike.

Went for a ride yesterday and it p****d it down and now our bike's are rot , got talking to my friend and just got to thinking if there are any? I've been working night's and don't have much time during the day (sleeping ) to clean the bike.

Cheers in advance for any replies.


Stig

11,823 posts

307 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
Just bought a power washer for 30 quid from Maplin for just this purpose. Quick spray down after riding home keeps the worst of the road cack at bay during the Autumn/Winter.

The trick is to leave it out and ready, otherwise it's just too much of a faff when you get home of an evening.

Well, it is to me

alpine-star

Original Poster:

220 posts

279 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
That's a good idea Stig , quick blast with a power washer and one clean bike, can't take more than a few minutes, do you use any cleaning products, spray it on, leave for a few minutes and wash off with the power washer? Last time I cleaned the bike it took me three hours, with a power washer I could ride the bike for 2 and a half hours, then a nice cup of coffee while I watch the wife clean the bike, eeerrrrr I mean while I clean the bike

I know Halfords do one for £34.99

Pigeon

18,535 posts

269 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
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Power washers need care - it's easy to end up forcing water into places it would never normally get to. Like the gearbox, or the carbs. Wheel bearings, possibly.

rsvmilly

11,288 posts

264 months

Wednesday 10th November 2004
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A friend of mine is a valeter. For some reason, his insurance excludes him from cleaning motorcycles - he's OK to clean 360s, though.

I rinse my bike and (illegally?) handwash it. Takes me longer to clean the bike than it does the car, what with cleaning the wheels etc.

SirPsycho

104 posts

258 months

Wednesday 10th November 2004
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If you're cleaning it regularly and want to save time polishing (polishing is very important since paint is usually porous), just use the trick that bike dealers use ... Pledge / Mr Sheen or other household furniture polish.

It's much quicker & easier, and produces good results that seem to last well. Because of this, my bike tends to get polished pretty often.

rsvmilly

11,288 posts

264 months

Wednesday 10th November 2004
quotequote all
I find polishing the car or bike very therapeutic.

I nearly said '... polishing things' but I know what you lot are like. More double entendres than the back catalogue of Carry On films.

Edited to correct my rubbish typing.

>> Edited by rsvmilly on Wednesday 10th November 17:55