Clean and naked again

[the Ferret]

After last weeks trip to W Va ( http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1312) my CB was covered with bugs. The NC Street Shield EX looked like a bug splattered billboard, as well as the forks, headlight, turn signals, and mirrors in particular.

Got out the S100 and gave it a thorough washing then, removed the shield and put it away until it gets much colder or I take another trip. I really prefer riding a naked bike, but every once in a while a good shield comes in handy

Removing the shield only leaves a couple brackets on the handlebars and a couple on the forks.

Handlebar brkts

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/003_zps003a63bd.jpg.html]

Fork brkts
[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/004_zpsd134c917.jpg.html]

Installing the shield again only takes about 2 or 3 minutes since the brackets stay in place on the bike.

[CB4ME_imp]

Looks brand new again. And I bet it's a nice change of pace taking off the shield and "riding naked".

[the Ferret]

Yep, my favorite way to ride

[Randy B]

Uuuumm......

I just had other pictures running through my dirty little mind.

[the Ferret]

Uuuumm......

I just had other pictures running through my dirty little mind.

Yea...not something you'd really like to see Randy. I wouldn't even want to see that myself

[Randy B]

I didn't say I was thinking of YOU per se....

I have actually seen a video of a GORGEOUS woman riding a sportbike.....naked as the day she was born. The video was 20 or 30 minutes. The guys just followed her all over the place. Not really sure why she was doing it, but WOW!

[the Ferret]

I didn't say I was thinking of YOU per se....

I have actually seen a video of a GORGEOUS woman riding a sportbike.....naked as the day she was born. The video was 20 or 30 minutes. The guys just followed her all over the place. Not really sure why she was doing it, but WOW!

Oh...that would be ok

[jimigalahad_imp]

Looks good. Nice that you can get it back on so quickly. I too love the naked riding but having something up front breaking the wind for the long trips does sound nice.

[cbdtran_imp]

Your bike is okay, not brand new look - I KNOW when I see a brand new bike. After a few washes, the CB loose its luster because it looses the oily protective oil and wax in the factory . the exhaust is no longer white, use Honda "metal polish" with 100% cotton rags to polish, the exhausts will look white again. Spend 1 hrs to scrub gently with soap / degreaser underneath the bike, your bike will look very good, but I doubt it will look new. Wax is not necessary because it is clear coated. I learn a hard lesson cleaning previous bikes with cheap towel paper, it leaves swirl marks on the muffler. I scratched the gas tank because the seat pushes me forward, removing the tank decals make it look messy, "metal polish" will take care of that.

After water cleaning, I use cordless 18V WeedEater grass blower, and blow all water out of the bike after a good amount of spraying, most important in the engine compartment to prevent standing water. The engine is dry after another 15 min ride with no whitish water marks. the engine fins is delicate ... the black coat can fade in few yrs, how I keep it look new?

I learn a lesson, the more you clean, your bike will get older sooner because you use a harsh cleaner or too much force. The muffler is like your shoes, people judge it by the color and its condition. The muffler have grains across, not along its length, so it is not easy to polish quickly.

But I can't stand a dirty motorcycle so I will clean the bike 3 times a year.

==

I don't believe in NO WATER cleaning, dirt is is sandpaper will scratch the bike.

[The Spaceman_imp]

You have some good tips CDBTran. I difffer on two though:

Blow dryers are great, but should have a filter. Vehicle-specific ones do. I use my Orek in revreverse; the bag is a filter.

Clearcoat is just as susceptible to UV, surface contaminates, bugs, etc. as the color coats. A good layer of wax will extend its life. You'll see lots of cars here in S FL with ruined clearcoats from the sun.