Cleaning / Maintaining Your Royal Enfield Bullet

January 28, 2012 at 6:21pm

WASHING

Wash every week (take it to a water center when there too much hard mud so that pressure cleaning
can be done, ensure he does NOT directly spray on the bike...ask him to use his finger so that spray
is not direct the water should flow like a garden spray).

You need:
1. Bucket and shampoo
2. Good towel which is lint free
3. Old tooth brush and paint brush and Kerosene or Diesel
4. Oil or appropriate lubricant
5. Plastic cover
6. Adhesive tapes

SHAMPOOING

Don't use Nirma, Wheel, and Surf etc. They will just eat the latex coat (which gives the shine). The
best solution is to use a Wax Based Car cleaning shampoo and the economic solution is to use a
Shampoo like Sunsilk or Garnier if you prefer :)

1. Always choose a cool and shady place at the same time do not do this at night you might not see
able to see the grim properly. Ensure that there is no direct sun light as sun light might leave hard to
remove and ugly water stains.
2. Before you start the washing, take an old paint brush. Dip it in Kerosene or Diesel and apply to oil
stained area or areas with strong grim such as under the chassis, crankcase etc. Kerosene or Diesel
will ease the grim easily.
3. Pour the shampoo in the bucket and fill it if possible with warm water. Warm water removes stains
and dust well than cold water.
4. Cover Silencer, Control Cables (handle bar), Spark plus unit with plastic covers to ensure that the
water doesnt get into it.
5. Remove keys and stick adhesive tape so that water doesnt seep in.
6. Do spot stain checking and apply the washing shampoo to stain spots using toothbrush.
7. Start washing from top to bottom.
8. Wash her once and check for spots. If needed do it again.
9. Now spray plain water all over the bile again bottom to top.
10. Ensure that there no soap left.
11. Shake your bike or move it front and back to shake of excess water.
12. Now put her on side stand and let her idle for 5 mins and remove the plastic covers.
13. Now wipe her dry using Chamois leather.
14. Lubricate all joints.

Now your bull is spotless and clean :-)

PAINT POLISHES

This is an interesting subject. Basically there are two types of polishes, Synthetic and Organic. Any
polymer-based polish is an example of Synthetic type whereas any wax-based polish is an example
of organic wax.

APPLYING POLISH

Now get a good wax polish. Apply it evenly in circular motion or as specified, some manufacturers
prefer vertical straight motion. Leave it for a min and you will see the haze now (varies with
polishes). Puff it in circular motion or as specified. Now the paint is shining and you can see your
smile reflected :)

RAINY DAYS

Rust is the best villain. Good polish like Zaino should protect your bull for 2 weeks and Carnauba
based ones will protect you for 1 week. During this time they will have water repellant effect and will
gradually weaken. So polish your BULL frequently.

CHROME POLISHING

What is Chrome plating?

Not going into technical analysis, chrome plating is nothing but coating a component or part of you
BULL with a mixture of metals, primarily Chromium and Nickel. Chrome plating gives great luster
and mirror like to finish. Some example of Chrome plated parts in your BULL are Handle Bar,
Silencer, Crash Guard, Saree Guard and so on.

Note: The crankcase is Buffed Aluminum and not Chrome.

APPLYING CHROME POLISH

General Rule for any polish applies, first try in a small spot. If satisfied go ahead.
1. Apply the polish to the chromed region in circular mode or as instructed by the manufacturer.
2. Leave it for a min to form a haze (again check instructions).
3. Now wipe it clean and buff it with a clean turkey towel or any cotton cloth which is lint free.
4. Apply some wax.

Do the water test. The chrome parts will be as good as a Mirror.

ALLUMINIUM

Polished Aluminum's life (life of the gloss not the metal) is less as it tarnishes because of oxidation. It
becomes dull very fast and water based stains if not wiped immediately will stay for long.
This is what I am doing currently. I am using "Autosol" polish for Aluminum (Its available in hardware
shops).
1. Apply it on the aluminum part and rub in circular motion. You will see the cloth turning black (will
explain this later).
2. Once it's really black, change it and use a clean cloth and buff it as much as you can. There are
two schools of thought one which says leave the polish for 1-2 mins before polishing and the other
which says don't leave any gap. I prefer the second school. Will try the first school and update later.
3. Leave it to dry and apply some wax.

Tip:
1. Polishing Aluminum is little different. The skill here is the speed and not PRESSURE. Thats why
they use high speed buffing wheels. SO the faster you polish the SHINNER she gets.
2. I told about those BLOODY waster spots. There is a solution. Mix 1 portion of vinegar to 1 portion
of water. Apply this mixture to then spots and leave them for a min. Now wipe it. Recent spots will
vanish. Repeat this process again and again till the OLD spots disappear. This will not cause any
harm for aluminum.

RUST

What the bl*** hell is this Rust?

When iron combines with oxygen, it forms iron oxide, or rust. Iron oxide is a larger molecule than
iron, so if iron oxidizes; it often puffs up and may even flake. This is because the rust requires more
physical space than the original iron. Once rust is formed, there is mobile oxygen in the metal, and
the oxygen can move deeper into the metal causing further rust.

REMOVING RUST

I am going to give you various ways rust can be removed. If the rust is quite old or if it has marked its
territory deep, then the best thing to do will be to chrome plate it again so that it doesnt eat the steel.

1. Aluminum Foil:

Well you never thought of this right. Try this. Take Aluminum Foil and wrap it
around your finger and rub it until the rust disappears. Ensure that the shiny
side rubs the rust. Works on basic to medium rust.
Tip: Dip the Aluminum Foil in COKE for best results :)

2. Zinc Chloride or Chalk Powder:

Soft rust can be removed by applying zinc chloride or chalk powder. Wet a piece of cloth and dab
some powder and apply on the rusted area. Rub it until the rust is removed.

/3. TEA :)

This again works for soft to medium rust. Prepare real think strong tea. Lets say you should use 5
tea bags for 300 ml of water. Ensure it brews enough and thats the crucial part. Now let it cool for 5-
10 mins. Now soak the rusted part in the Tea for 2-4 hours or until the rust disappears. Wipe it, dry it
and apply polish to it. Voila is sparkling.

Okay how does this worksee basically Tea contains tannic acid which attacks the rust.

4. Rubbing Compound:
This is used widely but I am little worried because if not properly used it can eat the metal. Go to any
paint store and buy some rubbing compound. The rubbing compound is an abrasive which basically
eats RUST and sometime the metal also. Dab some compound on a cloth and rub it in the rusted
part till the rust disappears. Now wash the area with mild shampoo and dry it. Apply some petroleum
jelly and wipe it clean after one hour. This neutralizes any residue of the compound. Now polish it.
Well keep watching this page I will give detailed study on Rubbing Compounds.

WHEEL DETAILING

Usually we do not give much attention to this part which is as important as the bikes engine. I can
push my bike without an engine but can I without wheels :- ). So now sit up and concentrate because
a little attention on your wheels can make your bike look lot younger 100 times SEXIER. Keeping the
wheels in top shape can bring a mediocre bull to Top shape. Now lets cut to the cheese.
For cleaning purpose, wheel is divided into three parts: tyres, rims and spokes.
Now lets look into each of them.

TYRES

How important is the look of the tyre? Well you might wear the Giorgio Armani suit, a designer
watch, imported shoes, the best fragrance and then if you have unkept hair which is shabby and
colored in all possible ways with dirt and grease how will it look? Thats exactly how your bull will
look if the tyres are not treated with respect. Also, just like how a well kept hair prevents Balding a
well kept Tyre prevents cracking and improves the life of the tyre.
Of all parts, tyres are subjected to worst treatment. Heat changes due to continuous riding and
stopping, bruising from the well laid Indian Roads, scuffing and so on. So please help them and keep
them smiling. Here is how to do it :-)=.

Cleaning a Tyre:
1. First inspect for small glass pieces, stones, gravels etc and remove them. These little things
impact the life of the threads.
2. Now take soft brush or sponge and wash the tyre with water.
3. Now using a mild soap solution (car wash solutions or mild shampoos) wash the tyre.
4. Dry them suing a soft lint free cloth.

Note:
Never wash the tyres immediately after a ride. Give it a rest of 1 hour before washing. This will cool
the tyre and make it ready for you.

Tyre Polishing:
Polishing not only improves the look but also the life of the tyres.
1. Select a non-silicone and non-formaldehyde tyre polish. Formaldehyde might cause harm in due
course by separating the body ply from the side walls of the tyres.
2. Apply the tyre polish evenly in circular motion and leave for 1 min (or as instructed by
manufacturer).
3. Wipe the tyre and wait for 2 mins.
4. Now shine it for a rich and great luster.

RIMS

Rims are mostly chrome plated. Refer to the section on chrome to know about polishing as I will
concentrate on just cleaning.
1. The most important part is the place where the spokes are attached to the rim. This is where
most of the rust and grime settle. Take a toothbrush and kerosene and apply it in the joints. Scrub
them lightly.
2. Now take some mild soap solution (For me diluted Prill works well). Using the toothbrush apply
them in the joints and also on the rim surface and sides of the rims. You can also use a small
sponge for this. Leave it for a minute.
3. Now rinse them with clean water.
4. Now apply chrome polish as described in the article.
Tip: Using a brass brush helps in removing rust and also minimizes scratches.
SPOKES

They can make your bull exotic or crap, there is no two ways about it. With proper care they will
shine for long time. The OEM spokes for RE is not chrome plated and do not have a mirror finish.
They are made of Mild Steel and have mild shine. The Hub is made of Aluminium and not buffed to
shine. Oil and grime are frequent visitors to our spokes and hubs. If left unattended, they will
encroach space and settle there as Permanent guest which is not GOOD.

Lets see how to take care of them.

1. Based on the grime or how bad your spokes are, decide on what you need to
use. If its really bad then use Fine Scotch Brite. If not then use Sponge.
2. Kerosene is a very good grime remover. Use the Scotch Brite/Sponge and
apply kerosene on the spokes and rub till the grime is removed.
3. Now clean the HUB using a toothbrush and some kerosene.
4. Now take some mild soap solution (for me diluted Prill works well). Using a rinsed scotch
Brite/sponge wash the spokes till its clean.
5. Wipe it clean with lint free towel.
6. You can apply all purpose metal polish or chalk powder. Refer to the polishing section for more
details.
7. Buff them clean for a good shine and big smile on your face.
Tip: You can polish the Hub using a Metal Polish such as Mr.Metal, Autosol, Mothers or Eagles
Aluminium Polish. Refer to the polishing section for more details. Since they are powder coated will
take a long time.

REMOVING STICKERS

You dont need to do that, take it to any sticker shop and ask them to remove it.
Doing it by urself will lead to scratches and dull finishing.

GENERAL TIPS

1. Bird Droppings: Use warm water instead of cold water, warm water (NOT HOT WATER) will ease
the process. First wet the bird dropping and leave for 2 mins then add little shampoo and gently rub
wipe with a soft cloth.
2. Do not use SPONGE to wash your BULL. Sponge by default is coarse and small mud particles
tend to collect in the small pores. This will result in minute scratches which over the year will dull the
paint. Use soft cloth and keep rinsing it.
3. For drying the best is Chamois leather. If it aint available, use Terry-cloth towels.
4. The best indicator to determine if your bike needs waxing is WATER. Drop little water on the
petrol tank. If it runs away without leaving a trail then your bike is perfect. If stays as drop or leaves
trial, its time to WAX her. This is a real good test during rainy days to determine if you bull needs a
wax coat.
5. Ouch there is a deep scratch. Apply Petroleum Jelly. It will keep the rust at bay till you paint it.
6. Removing Stiff OIL grime: The best solution is Kerosene/Diesel (I prefer diesel as it doesnt leave
a trail). Take a brush and apply kerosene. It will loosen the grime. Now wash the area will your
shampoo. Its as clean as a white horse.
7. Shampoos will leave strain if left for long. The best will to wash your bike is clean one side of the
bike and rinse it, then move to the second side. This will you can eliminate the soap from drying.

Going on Vacation?

If you are going on a long vacation (10 days or more), do the following:
1. Clean you bike completely.
2.Apply polish to the painted area, BUT DO NOT BUFF OR CLEAN, leave it like that. This will form a
good protection.
3. Apply automotive wax or furniture wax to chrome and aluminum areas.
4. Apply petroleum jelly to electrical points.
5. Inflate tyres and apply Tyre polish or Kiwi Wax Shoe Polish (Not liquid ones).

Note:These are only for the external maintenance such as Paints, chrome and aluminum not for the
BULL as such.