The importance of motorcycle detailing

By Greg Aldrich, owner Raven Cycle Works Coventry, CT

We all love nothing more than our machines. Whether you have a heavy weight cruiser, a lean, mean street bob or a full blown chopper. Stock or custom, American or Import. Whether you're a life long rider or just getting started. There is a special bond forged between rider and machine.

One of the most important things you can do to preserve that bond (and by the way your investment) is to get your bike professionally detailed at least one time per season by a qualified, experienced, detailing specialist. No one thinks twice about getting an oil change, tune up or any other basic maintenance service but for some reason detailing seems to get over looked when early spring and late fall roll around but here are some things to think about when you're contemplating the maintenance regime for your motorcycle.

First off, remember the way your heart revved when you saw your bike glowing under the show room lights? Nothing short of a professional detailing, done in a pro shop will bring back the deep, rich colour of the paint scheme and the bright gleam of the chrome that first hooked you.

Second, a professional detailer can identify and address all sorts of issues surrounding the condition of your bike. In a wide range of areas that go far beyond the obvious paint swirls and chrome pitting. For example; while detailing bikes in my shop we commonly identify problems such as loose chains and belts, dry rotted seals, fouled plugs, broken spokes, loose bolts, We've even cleaned grease from the inside of the ignition key slot.

What's important to note here is that most of these owners did clean and maintain their bikes on at least a moderately regular schedule. They just missed it. There are literally thousands of surfaces on a motorcycle some hidden, some out of reach and some moving. (One of my colleagues even likens motorcycle detailing to "cleaning a watch") and it's easy to over look some of the finer points. Once again a skilled detailer can often be your ace in the hole before having to spend the big bucks at the dealership for a major repair or protect you from a potential accident.

What it all boils down to is that if an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, then a pound of prevention is worth a lot of money, time and aggravation! So the next time you give her good wash down look a little closer and see for yourself if you think that a good detailing isn't really the best thing. Knowledge is power. Ride safe!