Any owner of a Harley Davidson Motorcycle will tell you how important it is to keep your bike clean. A Harley that has been well cared for with careful washing and polishing will continue to look like a prize throughout the years and will hold its value better. Here's a few tips that can be helpful in maintaining your bike.

Take off the bling! As you get ready to wash your Harley take off all jewelry such as rings, watches and any other ornaments that might scratch the bike as it is cleaned must be removed. Motorcycle jackets with metal buckles or zippers can be especially damaging to paint also.

Clean before you clean. A bike that is caked with mud should be rinsed before washing, as using a sponge on painted surfaces may scratch it. If the owner has just returned from a long ride, he should let the Harley cool down before the wash is begun. Be sure the bike is cool to the touch.

Choose the right detergent. Use a special solution that has water softeners so it can be used in direct sunlight. Rinse thoroughly from top to bottom giving special attention to nooks and crannies. While rinsing, cleaner may splatter from one part of the bike to another, so it is advised to go back and give the entire bike a misting after you think you're done. When drying the bike, watch for areas where water may puddle and leave rings.

Wheels are different. Pay attention to the galvanic corrosion. This is where particles from the brakes make dust that may create small dents on your wheels. It may be something you want to fix as time passes.

Polish if necessary. If water reacts by beading into small droplets, the Harley does not need to be polished. If the water sheets or runs in oblong droplets, it may be time for polishing. There is a special polish and sealant to deal with small flaws in the finish, slight scratches, dull areas and stains. If you polish, use a soft cloth and a special mild polish and be sure to let the bike sit in the shade for several hours after cleaning and polishing.

Like your wheels, caring for the chrome on your Harley Davidson is worth thinking about as a separate project. Chrome, gets its name from a thin layer of chromium that gets applied to it by a process called electroplating. The chrome that beautifies your Harley must be cleaned and polished routinely. If it is not cared for on a regular basis, the shine will soon be gone. Also, since it is only a thin coat of chromium on a specific part, a scratch is almost permanent. There are many good chrome cleaners out there and the best do not have a lot of abrasives in them that can scratch the chrome on your motorcycle. These cleaners and polishers may be expensive compared to other ones that may damage the chrome, but they are well worth the cost. Additionally, your chrome exhaust pipes need some extra care. Chrome exhaust pipes that heat up too fast for too long can turn blue. To avoid this, if the exhaust is new, it should be burned in gradually, which is turning the bike on and letting the exhaust heat up for a short time and then turn it down again to cool. This should be done several times before running the bike for longer periods.

This is how to preserve and keep your Harley shiny and beautiful for many years to come. Wildcat Harley-Davidson serving Lexington, Williamsburg, Hazard, Richmond, Berea and Somerset feature the largest Harley motorcycles showroom in the State of Kentucky.

 

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