How to Detail Your Motorcycle

As the warm weather fades into fall, it’s time to prepare your motorcycle for storage. But before you put your motorcycle away for the winter, you should give it a good scrub down to get rid of all the dirt and road grime that’s built up over the past few months of riding. Fully detailing your bike twice per year helps keep it in peak condition for years to come. So let’s get started!

• Start by gathering your supplies. You’ll need a bucket, mild soap (such as dishwashing soap), sponges and brushes, degreaser, clean towels and rags, steel wool, polish and hand tools.
• Use the necessary tools to remove the seat and accessories. Some motorcyclists also remove the side covers before washing.
• Elevate the rear wheel of the bike.
• Rinse your motorcycle with a hose, taking care to avoid spraying electrical components.
• Use a rag to apply degreaser to particularly grimy areas, which may include the wheels, chain and engine. Scrub it well to loosen up residues; an old toothbrush works well for hard to reach areas. Rotate the rear wheel as you rub degreaser along the chain to ensure you reach the whole length.
• Fill the bucket with soap and water and use a sponge to lather up your motorcycle, scrubbing off the degreaser as you go.
• Rinse the bike off and dry with a microfiber towel.
• Apply polish to all metal surfaces and work in small circles with steel wool to remove rust and minor blemishes. Take care to prevent the polish from coming in contact with paint, plastic and chrome.
• Spray the chain with either chain lube or wax spray.
• Buff your bike with a clean cloth.

And that’s it! The whole job takes about an hour and helps protect your bike so you can get back to riding as soon as next season rolls around.

Coverage during the winter has its perks. Call Cloverleaf Insurance at (636) 928-1373 for more information on motorcycle insurance.