So today at work the use motorcycle dealer next store came in and asked me if I wanted to set up some kind of deal wear they would pay me to wash there bikes once a week, I just have some questions about bikes. 1. What would be a good price for just a wash (10 bikes) they dont want any wax or anything just a wash.They said the bikes mostly just get dusty because they sit out side. 2. What is different from detailing a bike vs. a car ? 3. Can I soak them with water or will that hurt the motors ? 4. They have a mix of sports bikes and cruisers is there things I should do on plastic vs. Metal ? What about chrome parts ? Thanks for any help guys
wow. score deal right there man. I mean it might not be a ton of money but it is: A - Steady Work B - Exposure for your company or you in general if you don't have a business When i detail bikes i usually charge $125+ depending on what exactly it is that needs to be done. Before you figure your pricing out gather together some of the products you might be using on the bikes: soap wash media (be it a grout sponge or a mitt) blower or shop vac/blower brushes etc . . . . kind of figure out the general price of those things along with how long it will take you to knock one out. I would set something up with them a little more on the contract side if possible. Maybe like as long as they provide a minimum of 10 bikes per week the price will be $20 per bike otherwise it will be $25 per bike of minimum isn't made. Those numbers are not in any means what you should charge i'm just tossing stuff out their to make a point. Only thing i generally cover up or am careful of is the batter other then that the entire bike gets foamed. I hope this has helped you out a little bit and if you have any questions feel free to ask and if i can help i will do so.
Thanks for the quick and helpful replys guys. What about leather things like seats/saddle bags should I take them off before I wash or are they ok to wash with water and car soap ?
Every part on a street bike is designed to get wet. I wouldn't go crazy with a pressure washer, but just a regular garden hose and you'll be fine :thumb:
If the bikes are just dirty from sitting on the lot, try AG Motorcycle cleaner or P21S S100. Both are designed to be spray on and rinse off products that will not leave any soapy residue on black motor casings. Wipe dry with WW towel or use leaf blower.
Rinse, wash, rinse. It goes so quick on a motorcycle. Just make sure you have appropriate brushes to get into all the weird places, and use a regular car wash sponge/mitt to clean up the paint without scratching. You don't need a car/bike dryer to dry the bike, but it goes so much faster if you have one. Because the bike is mostly mechanical parts, it's so much easier to just blow the water out and off the bike and then spot-dry with a waffle weave drying towel.
