Cleaning & Lubing - Basic Maintenance

grantwils · Post by **grantwils** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:22 pm

As the new toy has been well looked after (not noticed anything to suggest otherwise yet) I'm looking continuing the previous owner's regime of cleaning and basic maintenance.

I've found two articles on MCN regarding cleaning and lubing the bike to make sure it stays in tip top condition.

Cleaning Your Bike
Lubing Your Bike

I'm sure this has been discussed before but what do you guys do when you clean your bike and what do you think of the advice in the above articles?

Any hints or tips? I'm talking about a major clean job to get it looking showroom shiny not a quick rinse after a run.

tintin · Post by **tintin** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:03 pm

If you keep up these routines you'd be doing pretty well.

Couple of things to add. You need to keep a check on oil, brake fluid level, chain adjustment and tyre pressures too. I do these every time the bike gets washed (which is after every run unless it's absolutely impossible for some reason).

It's also much easier to clean your chain if you do it immediately after a run. (on a paddock stand, clean rag with 3 in 1 to scrub the crap off the chain and sprockets, then spray lube (I can't believe it's not butter!)).

I only do the fairing strip down in the winter and usually clean up the brake pistons then too.

Once clean & dry, keep it in an alarmed, heated fortress, with soothing background music and a nice Chardonnay.

Final word of advice. Don't get into a discussion with your wife/girl about the time & expense you put into maintaining your 'ride'. It'll only end in tears

Toonser · Post by **Toonser** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:07 pm

tintin · Post by **tintin** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:09 pm

Toonser wrote:
Or another blast just to show her who's boss :I can't believe it's not butter!

That's funny, my key worked ok this morning..

Hagar · Post by **Hagar** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:54 pm

tintin wrote:
Toonser wrote:
Or another blast just to show her who's boss :I can't believe it's not butter!
That's funny, my key worked ok this morning..

Now is that in the door or ignition

phatkat · Post by **phatkat** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:44 am

tintin wrote: Once clean & dry, keep it in an alarmed, heated fortress, with soothing background music and a nice Chardonnay.

:I can't believe it's not butter!

I would have thought some AC/DC and ZZ top and possibly a bottle of Newcastle Brown woud be better suited...

McWullie · Post by **McWullie** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:31 am

Thanks for the info Grant thats good information!!