Your AJS Motorcycle will need regular care and cleaning to maintain its good looks. In return for your effort you will surely experience pride and satisfaction knowing your motorcycle not only looks good, but has been regularly checked during the cleaning process.

Note: If you park or use your motorcycle in salty locations, such near to the coast or if you travel on coastal roads or use your motorcycle in the winter when the roads have been salted, extra cleaning and corrosion preventing measures will be necessary. If you store you motorcycle whilst salt is on its surfaces, the salt will absorb moisture from the air and cause accelerated and aggressive corrosion. This is especially true if you store your motorcycle outside or under a cover. Never leave salt on your motorcycle.

Before You Start – Prepare Yourself!
Remove your wrist watch (it can scratch even the best quality paintwork), as will rings or any bracelets you might be wearing.

You will need a soft clean sponge and soft nylon bristled brushes for the non-bodywork areas and a separate soft sponge and good quality cleaning cloths for the painted panels. A genuine chamois leather is good for drying wet body panels and windshields to leave a smear free surface.

Never use household cleaning products such as washing up liquids, washing machine or dishwasher detergents. Most household cleaning products have highly corrosive salt diluted into them. Only use good quality automotive shampoos and automotive de greasers.
Never use "Truck Wash" or highly concentrated high powered detergents as these can stain the bodywork and aluminium parts. Always follow the manufacturers instructions.
Never use abrasive items such as wire brushes or wire wool, scouring pads etc.

Generalities
Frequent, regular cleaning is an essential part of maintaining your AJS motorcycle. If regularly cleaned, the appearance will be maintained for many years. Always wash your motorcycle with clean cold water immediately after you have ridden on salty roads or have exposed your motorcycle to corrosive conditions such as in snow, slush or a sea breeze. Salt can corrode your motorcycle in a very short period of time. Extra protection from salt can be gained by applying Scottoiler FS-365 to bright metal parts. To learn more about FS-365 click here.
Under the terms of your motorcycle warranty, cover is provided against the corrosion of certain items, the owner is expected to observe this maintenance advice, which will safeguard against corrosion and enhance the appearance of the motorcycle.

Prepare the Bike for Washing
Before washing, precautions must be taken to keep water away from following places.
- Rear opening of the silencer(s) / mufflers: Cover with a plastic bag secured with rubber bands or insert rubber plugs.
- Clutch and brake levers, switch housings on the handlebar: Cover with plastic bags or cling film to prevent excessive water getting into the wiring beneath the switch cubes.
- Ignition switch: Cover the keyhole with tape, again to stop water draining into the electrical connections within the switch assembly.

Avoid excess water in the following places:
- Instruments.
- Brake cylinders and brake calipers.
- Under the fuel tank.
- Head stock bearings.
- Air intake duct.
DO NOT use a pressure washer. Only use a bucket of water or low pressure hose. Replenish the water in the bucket if it becomes contaminated with dirt and grit.

When You Wash Your Bike
Ensure the bike is cold.  Start at the top of the bike. Soak those areas that have dead insects etc and leave them for a few minutes, they will come away once the water has soaked in.  Gently use a soft nylon brush to dislodge the most stubborn debris.
When you think you have dislodged the dirt, use clean cold water to rinse the bike down. This will swill away any loose dirt still settled on the bikes various surfaces and rinse away any traces of shampoo, which may cause unsightly staining if not removed. Wipe the wet bodywork with a clean damp chamois leather to dry off and remove water stains.

After Washing
Remove the plastic bags/cling film/rubber plugs and tape, and clear the air intakes. Lubricate all the pivots. Do not allow water to stand on the machine as this will lead to corrosion. Test the brakes before motorcycle operation. Drive slowly and apply the brakes before normal road use is resumed.
Once the bike is dried, you can apply waxes and polishes. 
Many Automotive bodywork polishes will be suitable for painted panels.  A light lubricant ("WD40" or similar) is fine for most non-painted bodywork area.
WARNING Do NOT apply light lubricants or waxes to the brake discs. Loss of braking power could occur and an accident could result. Do not apply the light lubricant to, meters or the exhaust system. (see below for exhausts).

Unpainted Aluminium Items
Clean bare unpainted aluminium items regularly, in particular after use in adverse weather, where the components must be hand washed and dried each time the machine is used. Warranty claims due to inadequate maintenance will not be allowed.
Bare unpainted aluminium can be polished with appropriate metal polish such as "Solvo Autosol". To test if a surface is lacquered or not, apply metal polish with a clean dry cloth and gently rub. If the cloth quickly turns black, the item is bare metal and not lacquered or painted. Treat lacquered or painted surfaces like the body work. Apply wax polish.

Cleaning of the Exhaust System
WARNING The exhaust system must be cool before washing to prevent injury from burns.
All parts of the exhaust system of your motorcycle must be cleaned regularly to avoid deterioration of its appearance. These instructions can be applied to chrome, brushed stainless steel and satin black components alike. Water spotting will occur if the exhaust is washed when hot or warm.

Washing
Prepare a weak mixture of water and automotive shampoo. Wash the exhaust system with a soft cloth. Do NOT use an abrasive scouring pad or steel wool. They will damage the finish. Rinse the exhaust system thoroughly. Ensure no soap or water enters the mufflers.
Drying
Dry the exhaust system as far as possible with a soft cloth or leather chamois. Do not run the engine to dry the system or spotting will occur.

Protecting all Year Round - 365 days
Protect your bike from corrosion all year round with Scottoiler FS 365 Corrosion Protector Spray.  Simply spray it all over your bike for year round protection. To learn more about FS-365 click here.

Caution
The regular use of abrasive cleaners such as "Solvol Autosol" may damage the system and should be avoided. Only use "Solvol Autosol" to remove small stubborn burn marks for example if a pillion passenger's shoe has melted onto the pipe or if a section of the pipe has "blued".
It is recommended that regular protection be applied to the system as this will both protect and enhance the system’s appearance.

On Reflection..
Regular cleaning is essential to keep your bike looking good. Not only does it gives you the satisfaction of having a good looking motorcycle to use next time you go for a ride, but you also get technically closer to the bike, noticing how things are connected and operate, which parts move in what direction. Your technical appreciation and awareness will grow.  You will become more confident with the day to day mechanics of your machine.

Summary.
1. Prepare yourself, your equipment and use only high quality automotive cleaning agents.
2. Prepare the bike for washing.
3. Wash the bike and leave to soak.
4. Rinse the bike with clean, cold water.
5. Dry the bike using a chamois and clean cloth.
6. Apply Scottoiler FS-365 corrosion inhibitor to metal parts and wax polish to painted parts.