Well it was nice and sunny outside today, as it has been for the past three months... okay, okay I'm lazy.

I ride my motorcycle year-round, and in poor or fair weather. There are a few exceptions, for example the tule fog here in the central valley can drop visibility down to zero really quickly at which time it is far safer for me to be in my 6,000 pound cage. I am also not a huge fan of wind and rain... wind is fine, and rain is fine but together in the winter strom combo and I park the bike until all is well. Needless to say, she takes a beating in the winter months. Her only saving grace is that she has a spot in the garage and a cover while parked at work.

I detailed the bike throughly in October to get her ready for winter, a good wash, clay, polish, glaze and wax was performed, along with quick detailer and washings as needed.

Today I planned only to wash the beast, but as I sprayed her down I could tell that most of my #26 had been blasted away by time... water just stood there, with minimal beading in a few places. Yep, things had to change. After a two bucket wash with Meguiars #00 and a micro fiber waffle weave towell dry and air-blast in the tight areas it was time to get to work. The bike passed my ziplock bag test (I use it to determine weather or not clay is in order), and there was nothing that needed correction or de-swirled so I moved straight to the #7. Glaze complete, and time for some carnuba. #26 was applied super thin over the painted surfaces, and will be reapplied after a QD wipe down tomorrow morning. The rest of the bike was wiped down with Meguairs quick detailer, areas like the swingarm, rims and engine cases. Plastic areas will be treated with Mother's back to black following tomorrow's final wax. Air pressures were checked and adjusted, the chain was cleaned using Park Tools Chain Bright, and Motorex #622 was used to lube the chain.

The results? Not to bad for a bike.

with water



Eww, dirty chain


Much better

 

Can silver pop?


You tell me...

 

I like this shot




The chain is cleaner

 

Got to love black


Here is one with the truck too

 

Not too bad...






for a Honda

 

Thing looks like its right off the showroom floor! Good job!

 

No. It doesnt. It looks BETTER than off the showroom floor!

Great work! (I love that shot of the tank with the 12 suns and the one above it)

BTW-- get some dressing on your truck tires!!! (AND I saw some swirls on the bike FYI...)

 

Beautiful bike. I used to have a '03 RR. I will soon be moving to an area within 10 minutes of a track....looks like I may have to get another crotch rocket and start some track riding

 

I haven't had the time to take this one to the track yet, but I did many trackdays on my old Suzuki TL1000-r. I think this bike will be a lot more fun on the track though, it has so much midrange and topend power and the suspension and brakes are 1000 times better than the Suzuki's.

Yeah, after the detail I did see a few minor swirls... oh well, if I get bored I can always take care of those. I'll just have to put a fresh pad on my Palm All-Action polisher (i.e. my right hand).

 

Great job on the bike but whats that tucked in the garage?

 

^
That would be a 1948 Studebaker M5 pickup with a torsion bar front clip, 4 linked 12 bolt Chevy rearend, 327ci. SBC putting down 430rwhp at 7,800rpm and 410rwtq. The headlights have been replaced with lights and buckets from a Jaguar, and the entire hood and front section has been tapered 3" at the front. The front end is now one peice and tilts. It's a work in progress.

Members will be happy to know that it uses a FORD steering column.

Chevy motor/transmission, rearend
Dodge front suspension, brakes, seat
Ford steering column
Jaguar headlights
Studebaker parts from various models

I'll add more random parts to the list as I remember them.

 

Now that's a good looking bike !!

 

Thanks Michael. It gets me from A to B.

Edit: Your name is Michael, right? Haha, oh my memory sucks.

-Matthew

 

Well, after yesterday's cleaning and about 60 miles of commuting I finished the bike today with a Quick Detailer wipe down and another thin coat of #26 wax.

 

I did that today as well.