I am cursed with being too Anal

[kmalysa]

I am having a hard time loving and enjoying my bike. The problem is that I am too anal about the appearance of my toys. I blame my Dad (god rest his soul), who drilled it into me to take care of your stuff.
I have restored several cars, mostly black (my fav color), but always sold them shortly after restoration because, If I drove them, I wanted to them to always look thier best. So obviously, after a drive, it took a day or two to clean and polish for the next time out, only for them to get dusty for before that next time!!!! I love toys and love the way they look, when perfect, but at 52 years old, I am tired of keeping my stuff perfect.

Now that I have new paint and have my Dog the way I want it... I am going through the same problem. Even a short 50 mile ride, in my mind needs a complete detail to get rid of dust and bugs.

My other bike is a Goldwing that I used to keep perfect as well, but decided to make it a daily driver rain and shine. I ride it to work and everywhere all year long unless it's snowing or freezing. I was able to overcome keeping it clean every day. I now wash it only once a week.

But I can't seem to enjoy my Dog unless she is 100% presentable at all times. I just don't have time to keep going through this ritual!!!!

I have actually started concidering selling the Dog for the same reason as my old Muscle Cars.

I need help!!!!! Are their any other Anal Retentive nuts like me out there?

[Bushpilot]

Yep its a sickness. LOL
I am anal but not so bad. I can do a 1000 mile ride but when I get home I clean the bike. My Wife on the other hand likes it because I clean her bike as well ,because as you say I like to take care of my stuff. I also build Hotrods and sell them not becuse they take 3 days to clean after I drive them. But I sell them to start a new project to make pristine. I have to be working on something and improving it. I can never leave something stock either. I just sold a 1970 Mach 1 that I finished. I just started on a 1953 F100 Project.

[kmalysa]

Originally Posted by Bushpilot

Yep its a sickness. LOL
I am anal but not so bad. I can do a 1000 mile ride but when I get home I clean the bike. My Wife on the other hand likes it because I clean her bike as well ,because as you say I like to take care of my stuff. I also build Hotrods and sell them not becuse they take 3 days to clean after I drive them. But I sell them to start a new project to make pristine. I have to be working on something and improving it. I can never leave something stock either. I just sold a 1970 Mach 1 that I finished. I just started on a 1953 F100 Project.

Your Stang is AWESOME... I did a Black '69 Mach I... Probably my two favorite cars of them all '69 and 70!

[awg]

You have a great looking machine. I know you want it to look the best.....but you have to reach a compromise. If you love to ride then you have to accept it will get dusty.

[aspen874]

I'm the same almost, but I have come to realize that nothing last forever, enjoy riding your Dog

[Brew]

I'm not that anal because it always rains here so there's no use to having a mirror glow on the scoot. Us North West riders know the scoots are going to get dirty every time we ride. I've seen some of y alls scoots that live in the better climates. You guys have them so clean and if you were to compare mine to yours, mine seems riden hard and put away wet. My motor will never have that glistening glare, especially the fins; it has so many nicks from road ware and grime. When summer gets here I'll polish her up a bit and we might get lucky and get a week straight without rain and she'll sparkle during that time. We have to fight the elements here and I'm sorry to say my scoot won't see the day of looking like showroom quality due to anti-ice and water. But enough of the sadness! She’s ridden year round as do the rest of our NW brethren and we all enjoy our dogs!

[kmalysa]

Thanks... I am probably over obsessed with the fact that it is going on display at the art museum next month. Maybe after that I can relax.
I guess thats why I see guys at car criuse ins, with California Dusters and polish. Maybe I should build a Rat bike!!!!!

[erldawg]

I used to be that way as well or maybe I still am. When I get home from a ride or before I go out I'll wipe it down....

No need to do a complete detail just keep it clean and enjoy it

[Five Five]

I have some friends that way .... Me I gotta ride..

[V]

Well I can clean and polish the heck out of everthing I got but, I have about a 800' long gravel driveway before I hit the pavement so I just have to suck it up and always have peeps ask me if I ever wash the dust off the bike

[chihuasbigdog]

Originally Posted by kmalysa

I need help!!!!! Are their any other Anal Retentive nuts like me out there?

I hear ya! Me too! Although I think my dog is washed every 6 months!

Originally Posted by Five Five

I have some friends that way .... Me I gotta ride..

Now we're talking!

[Bobby Schulz]

Im the same way....its not a bad thing

[Fibersnake]

Along long time ago I was, but I learned that the joy to me of motorcycling is to ride. Yes I love a great spotless bike, would love to have no scratches on mine, flawless paint, perfect polished billet and chrome, etc. Who wouldn't?

That said the time that is taken away from enjoying the ride to keep such in immaculent shape, is not worth it. Life is short, time is valuable.
Three Types of bikes they way I see it.

1. Beauties that are so perfect at all times, that they very seldome or never riden. If the pleasure of having and keeping a museum piece is what makes one happy, so be it.

2. Bikes that show many miles, many adventures, many tales. Chipped paint, dull billet, scratches here, scratches there, normally dirty, but always on the road in any weather looking for the next adventure!

3. Those somewhere in between.

I like to think of being in the last. Wash and clean every now and then to not let it go to crap or make such even harder. Though a swirl in the paint, a scratch on the chrome, the billet needing a little polish to bring it right back to original is fine, but no need to spend hours cleaning it every time I go riding. If SS-100 and some Ice Detail spray wont get it perfect, it can wait until when the weather or life keeps me from going on the road for awhile and then it can get the full detail and polish.

BTW that is a beautiful paint job, I can understand the anal concerns, but do not miss the joy of the open road!

[kmalysa]

Thank you all for your input. I guess I am not alone after all! I have learned to let my Wing go, as I will ride it rain or shine. I have to admit it took me a while to get used to seeing the effects of daily riding. But the Wing is easier to clean up when I want, as the engine is not exposed and there is no Billet.

As far as the Dog... I get 5 months to polish and service it during the winter, I guess it's hard for me to see it get dirty so quikly! I will try to relax and ride it more. I just wish I wasn't so attracted to black paint, it shows everything!

[Abaco21]

I say you can have it all! Any time you have the time, polish. It's good therapy if entered into with the right attitude. A cigar makes it an event. A cigar and scotch makes it a party. If it's time to ride, ride. Sometimes clean and ride line up. Sometimes they don't. Enjoy the two activities without trying to line them up. -Works like a charm for me!

Steve