Some folks buy a new bike and within a few short years the bike looks like it's ready for the scrap heap, and others maintain their bikes so they look like new, year after year. Maintaining a bike is a labor of love in that if you put in the effort, you get the attention and rewards that an aging bike will bring as it can look new for years.

Those who know bikes appreciate an older bike in new condition just as car lovers go to antique car shows to look at beautifully kept cars. So how do you keep a bike clean and looking new? Well it's not as easy as washing your car as there are many nooks and crannies that require detailing.

For general cleaning to remove dust and dirt that accumulates, a mild car washing liquid will do just fine. Be sure to give attention to each piece as you sponge off the dirt and grime. Once satisfied you've cleaned all parts of the bike, give it a good rinse and then use an absorbent cloth or rag to wipe down the bike so as to prevent water spots on the chrome and paint.

Detailing your bike is a must to keep it looking new, and they have many products to help keep you're ride looking like it just came out of the box.

For the chrome parts there are chrome polishes that work well, and when combined with angel hair steel wool to polish the chrome with, oxidation or bits of rust color come off like magic, and the chrome looks and feels like new.

Any good car polish or wax will do when doing painted surfaces, but in order to do a really good detail, you should learn to take apart all the parts of the bike that can be removed except the engine, and either bring them into your basement where you can spend the winter months detailing each part to look like new again.

Once all cleaned and detailed, you will be amazed at how new you're bike will look when you put it back together with all the parts looking as though they never saw weather.

Learn more about this author, Richard Serra.
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