Just Staring at the Iron Steed These Cold Months? Must Read

Try These Ten Off-The-Wall Motorcycle Detailing Techniques: must read.

Cold months got you frozen, in time so to speak? Off-season got you staring at the wall?

One of the best parts of owning a motorcycle is keeping it in pristine condition. It’s always a rewarding feeling to see that great iron steed dripping cool and clean, just like the day in rolled off that showroom floor. Detailing it is one of the best ways to maintain it, so here are ten off the wall techniques to make your bike look its absolute best.

First and foremost, don’t forget to clean the essentials. Make sure to give your bike a good wash, wash the leather seating and saddle, use a special leather conditioner, and hit the small details, like the plug wires and tank decal. The less thought of, the sometimes-forgotten surfaces of the machine. All these elements need love too!

Next, try polishing your gas tank. Not only will this give it a professional finish, but it also helps preserve it from abrasive forces. Be sure to buy polish that is specifically designed for motorcycles, or else you may end up with an annoying mess. Use a high-quality brand and as always, use the right tools with the right techniques. Check out our other articles on techniques! Once you've made your tank shine, move on to the next painted part, and next thing you know, your paint is protected, and your pavement pounder is dressed to kill!

Third, give your bike a paint job if the situation calls for it. Nice, custom paint jobs can take a long time to complete, but the results will definitely be worth it. Your bike will be looking studio quality in no time. During these winter months, if you aren't out braving the weather (although here in central Carolina, its nearly been riding season through all the seasons), it is the perfect time for changing the entire style of your motorcycle. With access to all the tools the modern world has to offer, there is no reason not try out painting it your self. Get a spray gun and go to town. And if it turns out you really weren't meant to paint, we know and can direct you to some of Carolina's finest painters, and they will be more than happy to have the opportunity to add your fine machine to their professional portfolio!

Fourth, steam clean your hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Sometimes dirt gets packed in places you’d never think of, and you’d never dream of going in to get it out. But with a steam cleaner you can blast away at these tough-to-reach areas. There are many special tools out there on the market to look into.

Fifth, get inventive with lighting. Instead of searching for little bulbs and taking the risk of overcharging them, why not just throw some custom LED lights in there? Your bike will be seen from miles away. This is literally the new rage. It turns out, by a strange twist of fate, bikers actually prefer to be seen, especially in traffic, surrounded by the big scary death machines (most of which seem to be operated by t-total automatons. Hit up your local cycle shop and let them deck your machine out!

Sixth, choose some aftermarket parts. Fancy fenders and oil caps can go a long way in making your bike stand out. Got a huge appetite for speed? Try swapping out the engine and fitting in some nice exhaust pipes. If you wait until spring to start these "little" projects, you will be rudely awakened by a miles-long wait list at not only your favorite shop, but even the ones you wouldn't send your mother-in-law's bike to! That's right, you're already pushing the envelope as we scratch these words down, and you take them in! Get an early off-season start on your aftermarket and upgrade needs, you'll be stoked you did come spring!

Seventh, customize your handlebars and grips with an embossed leather finish. Not only will this add some grip and feel to your bike, but you’ll also have a unique aesthetic to show off. These grips are essential old-school. They add a specific nostalgic feel!

Eighth, get your wheels balanced. Sure, it may take some more time, but trust us, it’ll be worth it for a smoother ride and better handling. This is an important thing we often don't think about until we are getting new tires; but if you feel something funny with your wheels, this could definitely be the issue, and an easy fix at that!

Last but not least, adorn your bike with chrome fittings. Get yourself some chrome accents, foot pegs and even valve caps. Nothing says luxury motorcycling quite like chrome. And it doesn't simply end at the nacelle or the dip-stick grab; we are talking a kit for every bolt and nut from front axle to brake pad bolts-that's right. Especially when it comes to Harley's, there is literally, LITERALLY a chrome cover for everything! So, why not be the shiniest bike on the lot?

And what's-a-matter? You didn't get any of these things in your stocking back when ole Saint Nick came through? Add your local motorcycle shop to your Christmas Wishlist next year, and watch the gifts you actually like start filling up your stocking!

When it comes to setting your motorcycle apart from the crowd, there’s no limit to what you can do. With these ten off the wall techniques, you can make your bike look better than ever before. And if all else fails, just hit up Magic Rags Mobile Motorcycle Detailing; our trained professionals will make certain that your bike has that "just right shine," the reflection in the chrome of that twinkle in your eye!

Contact us today for a FREE quote! Book today for huge savings!