Bike washing service?

[ilikefood]

I washed my bike yesterday and was reminded how much I hate washing bikes. I’d much prefer to pay someone to do it. Is there a reliable motorcycle washing service somewhere near SF? By reliable I mean they won’t scratch things or soak electric connectors with a high-pressure water jet or degrease the chain.

 

[thedrewdagg]

spray detailer + costco pack of microfibers = quick and easy

 

[nakedape]

The real question is why wash your bike more than once a year? Bay area has rain right?

Srs though, I teach a high school kid to do it and pay them $30. They get spray detail, paper towels, and a rag to polish.

 

[Marcoose]

For $1000.00 each, I’ll come pick up, wash, and return your bike. PM me.

:laughing

 

[DTM74]

If you hate washing a bike, try an F-250. Bike won't seem so bad.

 

[Blankpage]

For years I've been bringing every bike I've owned to the do it yourself high pressure hand held wand car washes. I've never had a water related issue. Simply don't blast the delicate stuff. Easily controlled by controlling how close you let the nozzle get to any surface. Takes less than 10 minutes.

 

[Surj]

If you hate washing a bike, try an F-250. Bike won't seem so bad.

Or a mid-roof Transit. :laughing

There's always Devon at The Devil's Detailing, but he might be more serious than you want.

That said... I wash press bikes all the goddamn time, but can't remember the last time I washed a bike of my own. :cool

 

[atoyf]

For years I've been bringing every bike I've owned to the do it yourself high pressure hand held wand car washes. I've never had a water related issue. Simply don't blast the delicate stuff. Easily controlled by controlling how close you let the nozzle get to any surface. Takes less than 10 minutes.

this - works great! :thumbup

 

[ilikefood]

The real question is why wash your bike more than once a year? Bay area has rain right?

Srs though, I teach a high school kid to do it and pay them $30. They get spray detail, paper towels, and a rag to polish.

Commuting in the rain this winter is why the bike needed a wash in the first place. But I’m with you on the wash frequency. This was my roughly annual bike wash. Though sometimes Monroe Motors washes it too, when they do a service.

 

[ilikefood]

For years I've been bringing every bike I've owned to the do it yourself high pressure hand held wand car washes. I've never had a water related issue. Simply don't blast the delicate stuff. Easily controlled by controlling how close you let the nozzle get to any surface. Takes less than 10 minutes.

I have a hose in my driveway, but it’s still a huge pain in the ass. Washing the bodywork isn’t too difficult, but the grimy bits like wheels, swingarm, exposed parts of the engine, and so on are annoying to wash. It’s a bike I commute on daily, and I don’t wash it very often, so unfortunately it’s not just a 10 minute thing.

 

[jwb]

If you hate washing a bike, try an F-250. Bike won't seem so bad.

When I was a kid my friend's dad used to pay us to wash a supercab F250 and even 25 years ago we charged him $100 to do it.

 

[295566]

When I was a kid my friend's dad used to pay us to wash a supercab F250 and even 25 years ago we charged him $100 to do it.

Makes me feel ripped off for getting $5 for washing my dad's 10 wheel dump truck.

 

[Blankpage]

I have a hose in my driveway, but it’s still a huge pain in the ass. Washing the bodywork isn’t too difficult, but the grimy bits like wheels, swingarm, exposed parts of the engine, and so on are annoying to wash. It’s a bike I commute on daily, and I don’t wash it very often, so unfortunately it’s not just a 10 minute thing.

Thats because you don't have all the foam brush and the higher pressure from your home unit.

If you're not willing to ride 5 minutes to your neighbourhood car wash I assume you're looking for a bike washing service that comes to your home. That doesn't sound like a profitable business to me. I doubt you'll find what you're looking for.

 

[russ69]

Get a Harley, where a dirty bike can be a lifestyle. Although I have to admit I haven't seen too many dirty Harleys lately.

 

[mean dad]

I have a hose in my driveway, but it’s still a huge pain in the ass. Washing the bodywork isn’t too difficult, but the grimy bits like wheels, swingarm, exposed parts of the engine, and so on are annoying to wash. It’s a bike I commute on daily, and I don’t wash it very often, so unfortunately it’s not just a 10 minute thing.

Spray this shit on your wheels, swingarm, exposed engine bits, etc. Let it sit for five minutes or so, then blast it off with the hose. It's pretty impressive stuff and won't harm your plastics. I also use a small scrub brush for stubborn spots.
Then just wash the bike as normal.

I fire up my compressor when I start washing the bike so I can use it to clear most of the water before I switch to drying with a towel. Way too much chrome on a Harley to dry it all by hand.

 

[motomania2007]

Step 1: go to dollar store and buy 3 cans of lemon furniture polish with beeswax and several microfiber cloths
Step 2: spray furniture polish all over the bike except for seat, tires and brakes
Step 3: wipe off bugs and grit switching out the surface of the cloth often
Step 4: Repeat step 2
Step 5: Wipe off and buff out furniture polish with switching out the surface of the cloth often

Entire bike is wiped down in 10-15 minutes and cost about $2 in furniture polish.

Do it every week or two and you get a lot quicker.

Furniture polish dissolves chain lube, loosens bugs, wipes off dirt, leaves behind a layer of wax that keep bugs and grit from sticking so much in the future.

I have been doing this for over 30 years on ALL of my bikes.

Other than dirtbikes, I haven't sprayed a bike with a hose or pressure washer since 1984.

Wash the cloths to use the next time or just toss them.

 

[NolaNomad]

Suggestion:
Go to Moto Guild....

Apple Maps
Moto Guild
46 reviews

$$ · Motorcycle Repair, Specialty Schools, Motorcycle Gear

Address: 849 13th St, San Francisco, CA 94130

Phone: +1-415-926-5372


They have everything you need and more to wash, detail your ride.
You will do it yourself and its all basic knowledge.
Thay have all the chems, towels, buffers etc.
Just go, introduce yourself to Wilder or Aleks. And get it done. Pay the hourly or 1/2 rate and done. Can't imagine a easier solution.

also there's a crackhead named "Butterman" in North Beach. I paid him $20 to wash and wax my Triumph speedy every month.
Awesome!

 

[two wheel tramp]

My friend Giancarlo washes my bike. I could ask him if he'd be willing to do yours. He does great work, very detailed.

For a quick clean up stop in to SF Moto and ask for a can of Honda polish. It's not actually Honda product any more but it's a great way to clean your bike fast without water.

 

[moto-rama]

For years I've been bringing every bike I've owned to the do it yourself high pressure hand held wand car washes. I've never had a water related issue. Simply don't blast the delicate stuff. Easily controlled by controlling how close you let the nozzle get to any surface. Takes less than 10 minutes.

Why old British Bikes ever look clean...

 

[Kestrel]

This thread is so 'San Francisco' in the worst way :laughing

Dude... it's a bike. Super easy to clean compared to other vehicles. 10 minutes is probably not enough - agreed - but 20-30m is plenty. You're complaining about spending an hour total washing a vehicle twice a year that you use daily for a commute? Oh no! You might have to TOUCH something? And get grime on your hands? God forbid you wear gloves or something like that.

Quit complaining, and just go wash it. Cleaning is also a good opportunity to run through a checklist of items on your bike. Critical fasteners still torqued, chain in good condition, brake pads, sprocket wear, oil level, etc etc.

You trust your LIFE to this vehicle. It deserves more than a casual glance - anything else is just asking for a critical failure somewhere down the road.