TOO COOL WEDNESDAY, BUT WARM WEEKEND COMING

 While this Wednesday evening proved to be too chilly for much of a ride, the weekend looks to be warm enough to try it again (mid 60's).  So, as of right now, I am planning to ride Saturday (haven't decided where yet--maybe Potosi) leaving Casey's at 12:30 again.  If you want to join me, see you then.

With all the bugs (mostly Asian beetles) smearing up the windshields, I have been asked to give some tips on how I clean my windshields without scratching them.  There are 100's of methods of cleaning car windshields, but very few of them should be used on motorcycle windshields, since motorcycle windshields are made of entirely different materials than car windshields.

Here's the method I have used for well over 50 years and have managed to keep my bike windshields pretty much clean and scratch free.  Keep in mind, I was asked about MY method.  There are others obviously.

1. Rule #1--Never use the gas station wand to clean your motorcycle windshield unless you want to look through scratches forever!  These wands pick up the dirt and grime from previous uses, and you will rub these right into your bike windshield causing scratches.

Here's my step by step method.

I try to clean the windshield asap after a ride.

I use hydrogen peroxide from a spray bottle to coat the windshield.  This stuff works great and is cheap.  The bug guts will foam up and make them easier to remove.

After the H2O2 spray sits for a short time, I take a CLEAN soft sponge with clean plain water and wipe the windshield down.  This will remove the bug guts without leaving scratches.  I have also used a product called Bug Begone, but it is much more expensive and doesn't work any better than hydrogen peroxide.

I then take a clean chamois and wipe the excess water off.

After the windshield is dry enough, I spray on a small amount of a product called Plexus.  This stuff is expensive, but I only use it sparingly on the windshield, so a can of it lasts me well over two years on two windshields. I have also used a product called Bug Slide that seems to work well, but requires more rubbing.

I use the softest cloth possible to spread the Plexus and wipe it clean.  The best thing I have found for this is cloth baby diapers, and I don't know if you can even buy them anymore. I also use the Plexus on the inside of the windshield and on the control screens.

The hydrogen peroxide may remove some of the polish you use on the front of the bike, if you use it to remove bug guts there.  So after I'm done using it there (same procedure as the windshield, except you don't have to use the baby diapers) I use Original Bike Spirits spray polish with a microfiber cloth.  I also use Bug Slide at times, but the OBS is a lot cheaper and seems to work as well and is more available .

Again, this is the method I use.  I'm not saying it's the only one, just that it has worked well for me for a long, long time.

In the meantime--HAPPY HALLOWEEN!