Motorcycle Bay This information is for guidance only, Please seek professional advice for latest information and current regulations. The Bike Bath If you don't want the finish of your Harley-Davidson to lose its shine, here's our guide to keeping that cosmetic appeal The sheer beauty of any Harley- Davidson motorcycle is its sheen and shine, but it's easy to get complacent and not clean and protect it regularly. Environmental influences such as geographical characteristics, nicks from road debris and atmospheric conditions - rain, UV rays, heat, cold, pollution, salt -- can cause vehicle surfaces to rust over time if neglected. Any vehicle surface that is neglected (or treated with the incorrect product) can lead to corrosion/rust and oxidation. Corrosion refers to the deterioration of a material due to reactions with its environment, and rust is a common term for corrosion, formed by iron in the presence of water and oxygen. Exposure to moisture in the air as well as acids, bases, salts, oxygen, and organic chemicals can affect the surfaces of your bike, and not thought of but commonly found in any garage include chlorine, paint, thinner and fertilizer. So, how can we make sure our bikes avoid deterioration? Despite good intentions, you can actually damage your motorcycle if you don't clean it in the proper way. Dirty rags, harsh detergents and neglected areas can cause scratching, dulling and, yes, galvanic corrosion. Keeping your Harley clean is crucial to its long-term well-being and value. A clean bike is also easier to maintain and more likely to maintain its value. PRE-WASH Before you turn on the hose and crack open the Harley Sunwash, remember to do some simple things that can make a huge difference and help you avoid dreaded scratching. Remove rings, jewellery, watches and anything else that might scratch your bike as you clean. Motorcycle jackets with metal buckles, zippers and studs can be especially hazardous to paint. Don't try to wash your bike right after a long ride. Make sure your bike is cool to the touch. Not only can a hot engine and pipes burn you, but they can scar your motorcycle by making waxes and cleaners act differently. If your bike is caked with mud or heavy soil, rinse it off first. Sponging over crusted dirt can scratch your paint. Beware the old sponge -- it may have dirt trapped inside that will scratch your finish. We recommend using the wash mitt available from Harley-Davidson. Buy cleaning products made for cleaning motorcycles. Just because something makes your bathtub or toaster shine, doesn't mean it will do the same for your Harley. THEWASH Now that you're ready, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Dilute Sunwash according to instructions on bottle and wash bike. Sunwash contains special water softeners that allow it to be used in direct sunlight. Rinse thoroughly from the top down, paying careful attention to complete removal of cleaner, especially from nooks and crannies. During rinsing, you may splatter cleaner from one part of the bike to another, so go back and give the bike a light misting. In drying your bike, pay close attention to areas where water tends to puddle. Leaf blowers make excellent bike dryers. Again, make certain the blower is clean. Compressed air is not good for drying, because oil and rust particles are often inside the tank. Clean your wheels, and pay special attention to the dreaded galvanic corrosion. In the course of normal use, particles from brake dust get on your wheels. If neglected, these non-compatible metals can react to one another, creating galvanic corrosion, and produce pitting on your wheels. The result is costly refinishing of the wheel. In other words, wheel dirt is a whole new kind of dirt, so it needs a whole new kind of cleaner. Look for a cleaner made specifically for wheels, preferably Harley-Davidson Wheel and Tire Cleaner. THE ONCE OVER As you clean and rinse your bike, be very aware of how water reacts. This will give you an indication of what to do next. If the water beads into small round droplets, you probably don't need to polish your bike. If the water sheets or forms oblong droplets, it may be time for a polish job. If your bike is older than six months, professional detailers recommend a pre-cleaning or cleansing. Use Harley Glaze Polish and Sealant to deal with imperfections, slight scratches, dulling and stains. THE POLISH AND SEAL Polishing and sealing isn't just about good looks. A well cared-for bike repels dust, dirt, bugs and dirty water. Use Harley Glaze Polish and Sealant and follow the instructions on bottle. Don't use in bright sunlight or if the air is especially humid. Use a soft cloth for application. A soft cloth is an absolute must for buffing. If streaking occurs, try a dampened softcloth or a couple of drops of distilled water in a gentle circular motion. If streaking is severe, reapply a small amount of the polish and remove quickly. After polishing, let the bike remain in the shade for several hours if possible. NOTE: Harley-Davidson finish products have been tested and certified by Harley-Davidson engineers and all adhere to strict guidelines for testing. Added ingredients are designed specifically for Harley-Davidson motorcycle finishes and H-D Surface Care Products are formulated to be compatible with each other. <strong>Peak</strong> <strong>Riders</strong> - www.peakriders.co.uk 8
Competition This month Poulton’s Picture Puzzle Page Proudly Presents the “Caravan Caption” competition. While on holiday one of our riders would not camp and took his caravan instead of the tent, all you have to do is send in a caption for the picture below. Send in your answers to steve@poultons.freeserve.co.uk or hand this competition page in at HarleyWorld Chesterfield by the 20th <strong>July</strong> 2008 The winner will win a ****** HarleyWorld Tee Shirt ****** CAPTION NAME The winner of the Mix and Match competition was Stuart Wales and the correct answers were: Steve Thomas = 8 Stuart C = 9 John = 2 Steve P = 7 Big El = 1 Stuart Wales = 10 Neil = 3 Tomog= 6 Joth = 4 Royce = 8 The competition will be judged under the supervision of Steve Poulton and/or the HarleyWorld Staff and their decision will be final. <strong>Peak</strong> <strong>Riders</strong> - www.peakriders.co.uk 9
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