Detailing Question(s)

[leatal]

Hello Everybody...

I'm going to have bunches of questions here in the near future. From what I've read the past few days, this seems to be the place to do it. Lots of knowledge getting passed around here.

I've recently purchased a 2015 R3T and since it runs like a top (for now), my main concern is proper detailing. I have the Phantom Black w/pinstripes model. I live in an apartment complex and the bike will be spending it's entire riding season sitting outside without so much as a carport roof over it. Nothing but the weather... I did get a , but there's no use putting that on until I get my baby all cleaned up and shiney AND protected from the elements as much as possible... Which is where you guys come in.

For starters, I want to know how to properly care for my rims. They already have a coating of dusty residue that I need to remove ASAP without trashing them. Thing is, before i can do that, I need to know whether or not theyre "coated". Im guessing they are, but i want to know for sure.

Then if anyone can suggest a good product to clean and maintain them,

The absolutely best way to protect your ride from the elements is to keep it out of the elements (as much as possible). I keep mine indoors and have no problems with rust or corrosion. When done riding, I wipe her down with a dampened paper towel followed by a wipe down with a dry towel (it removes all bugs and road/brake dust), then put her away in my workshop covered with a plain old sheet. I have never washed mine, but do apply wax every month or so. The bike is two years old and still looks showroom new. See if you have a friend with a garage and pay to store it there. Since I have no friends, I would have to rent a small storage unit close to where I live and store it there. This would provide the best protection from the elements and from folks who may want to harm your ride. Sooner or later, no matter how clean and coated with wax you keep it, it will rust and corrode if left outside (even in a carport). It is worth a couple of bucks a month to keep her looking new and safe.

 

[Claviger]

Second pledge use on everything, less tires

Rims, honestly, **** all that maintenance, powder coat all the way. Anything I have to maintain on a regular basis will get optimized to minimize the requirement, daily riding and working long hours makes it a huge hassle to clean anything everyday.

 

[cr0ft]

Lemon Pledge on the aluminum wheels?!? C'mon! You guys are pulling my leg, right? I've read through multiple 'Allegiance of Pledge' posts (see what I did there?), and I don't recall anyone saying anything about putting it on the rims.

I guess I'd be willing to try it since it's mild enough. Either way, if you see this post, please specify if that is indeed what you meant. I.e. putting Pledge on the rims...

Thank you.

Yeah, it's rather preposterous. It's a furniture polish. A slight sprinkling of rain on it and it washes off.

As long as you wash the bike first (so you don't start scrubbing at sand and grit that's on the bike) and then spray Pledge on it and scrub it it won't do much damage but there are far better products. And on the rims, as you surmised, Pledge will do nothing if the aluminium has started to corrode.

There's this strange Pledge mafia that cropped up here, I assume it's some variant of mass hysteria **************, an echo chamber. It's not a bad product for cleaning furniture or maybe even a bike windshield, but it's hardly the be all end all for detailing.

Edited due to violation of Rule 20 of Prohibited Activities sections of Terms and Rules.

 

[Boog]

I don't suppose you'd be able to post a pic of the exact parts you're speaking of spraying, could you? I definitely don't want to have to shell out $2.300 bucks for something that could've been sprayed a little every now and then. Thank you much for the heads up on this.

Go to my thread about this here: The Brahma Drama...Aka Throttle Body Issue

 

[Death Arrow 007]

Go to my thread about this here: The Brahma Drama...Aka Throttle Body Issue

I read the entire thread. I see the parts you're talking about. Thing is, I just got this bike a week ago and it's my first Rocket. At the moment, I have no idea how to get into where you are showing on the pics.

My Rocket is a 2015 with about 3,600 miles on it. I, too, experience a somewhat higher than what I would call "normal" idle speed but my RPM's only increase when I let off the clutch in first gear. The bike will cruise at approximately 20 mph all on its own. If I switch to second, it'll creep up to around 25 mph and around 30 mph in third gear.

The dealer I got it from says the previous owner installed what's called a 'Power Commander 5' and that his tweaks or whatever (the previous owner) is what is making the bike run like that. When I pull in the clutch, the RPM's do slowly drop down to a reasonable idle.

 

[Death Arrow 007]

I got around to washing my baby for the first time this past weekend. Once I finished and got it pretty well dried I gave it the Pledge treatment. It works... I know it ain't right, but it works for a quick fix. I did everything in the shade then moved it into the sun to see if I missed anything.

I will say this though; Pledge doesn't do a darn thing for the rims. I hit the rims with a mild wheel cleaner that I picked up at Wal-Mart. Then I tried Pledge after they were dry. There was no difference. It looks like I might have to invest in one of those foam/polisher buffer things you see everywhere. Or just use Blue Magic like I have on everything else in the past.

But yeah -- Pledge works on everything else except aluminium rims. It may have given it a little shine. But it wasn't anything like a good metal polish can do. If anyone claims otherwise -- pics or it didn't happen! Ha-ha!

 

[Jag]

Pledge works on the rims after you get them clean. Then wipe them down after each ride to maintain!

 

[Jag]

Hey @Death Arrow 007 could you please change your avatar, I get an uncomfortable feeling with you looking at me like that!!

 

[Death Arrow 007]

Hey @Death Arrow 007 could you please change your avatar, I get an uncomfortable feeling with you looking at me like that!!

Not a chance!

My wife altered that pic in her snap chat app and we laugh like crazy every time we look at it. Matter of fact, everybody that has seen it (that knows me) has got a good laugh from it. I even told my wife to use it for my obituary!

 

[Death Arrow 007]

Pledge works on the rims after yo get them clean. Then wipe them down after each ride to maintain!

Now THAT makes sense. I will keep that in mind. However, if memory serves, I think Blue Magic coats and protects, also. Thanks.