Motorcycle Valet in London

**lokyc** · 26 Jun 08, 02:23 PM

Just used this service MO-CLEAN. Its a mobile bike valet that serves the London area. Reasonably priced. Professional service. Friendly guy. Fellow bike lover as well. Your ride will be in good hands. Highly recommended.

O, and he took some pics of my bike. Expect to see them on his website soon!

**Paivi** · 26 Jun 08, 02:37 PM

Do they only do it at your premises or do they collect & deliver?

**lokyc** · 26 Jun 08, 04:41 PM

He no longer does that. Used to run a cleaning shop at King's X and valet the used bikes for Daytona. Isn't it more convenient for him to come to you, do the job in front of you anyway?

**Paivi** · 26 Jun 08, 04:52 PM

Sadly not an option, as there is no water connection in the carpark. I've had mine valeted at Docklands; you leave your bike there in the morning and pick it up after work. As I'm no longer working there, I have to find an alternative.

**CraigR** · 26 Jun 08, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paivi

I have to find an alternative.

Possibly washing it yourself?

**BaggaZee** · 26 Jun 08, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lokyc

He no longer does that. Used to run a cleaning shop at King's X and valet the used bikes for Daytona. Isn't it more convenient for him to come to you, do the job in front of you anyway?

I remember that, always meant to treat the bike but never got around to it. However, the thing that I found appealing was the concorse option: the bike went up on ramps and was cleaned, greased, polished etc. No longer an option presumably.

**lokyc** · 29 Jun 08, 12:06 AM

'fraid not. But dun worry, he's got a couple of paddock stands which will prop it up for you. And no problems about water supply. His van has a tank with a pump which sprays low pressure HOT water. He'll dry it up, and even lube the chain and grease the joints if you go for the superwash. Just leave everything to him. All you need is to give him your keys and money!

**Rob998** · 29 Jun 08, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigR

Possibly washing it yourself?

Paivi has a bad back & lives in an upper floor flat (or has an underground car park, or both, sorry I just remember there's a lot of stairs invovled...), so carting buckets of water around isn't an option, unfortunately.

**CraigR** · 29 Jun 08, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob998

Paivi has a bad back & lives in an upper floor flat (or has an underground car park, or both, sorry I just remember there's a lot of stairs invovled...), so carting buckets of water around isn't an option, unfortunately.

I have a bad back, live on the second floor and park in an underground carpark. I don't clean my bike with buckets of water, I use brake and chain cleaner, WD40, Mr Sheene and some kitchen roll. Comes up a treat and no heavy lifting or carrying.
Obviously if Paivi's back is worse than mine then paying someone is the way to go, if I could afford it I would go that way too.

**lokyc** · 30 Jun 08, 11:03 AM

Owning a bike is a bit of labour of love i suppose. Cleaning and maintaining it is part of the package. It is however worth it to get a pro to do it once in a while. Being a relatively novice bike rider, I learnt a lot. I'll definitely have a go myself, but i think once a while, especially when the weather's bad, I'll get someone to do it properly.

**MrTurner** · 30 Jun 08, 11:36 AM

Part of the love of owning the Duke is cleaning it

I took the side panels off yesterday to clean inside them, and clean up the parts of the engine they cover. Just need to get some spindle bobbins and an adaptor because I'm not too happy with my universal stand!

**Paivi** · 30 Jun 08, 11:59 AM

I didn't realise I have to justify why I don't clean my own bike.

But for the record, Rob's correct: I have a bad back. My spine lacks the normal curve, so I'm never without pain or discomfort. Some of the vertebrae have also started to fuse together, making it even more inflexible, so occasionally, I start my days with morphine just to get out of bed.

I actually used to enjoy washing my bike, and when I lived elsewhere and had a garden hose to use, I washed my bike with Autoglym stuff, which is now sitting unused, as I've got no access to water, unless I carry bucketfuls of the stuff into the carpark.

So, once every couple of months, I pay £20 to get it valeted into showroom condition. As the Ducati is a fun bike, it doesn't get muddy, as riding in the rain or wet roads is not fun, so this clean lasts for a long time. The Vespa, poor thing, does get dirty, so I wipe her clean with baby wipes after a particularly dirty ride.

Once I'm more solvent, I'm buying one of those hose things from Halford's, so I can strap it on my back and spray the bike clean.

I may have to take up Ed's offer of a garden & garden hose to wash them myself, as otherwise, I'm clearly not a proper Ducatista.

**lokyc** · 30 Jun 08, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paivi

I didn't realise I have to justify why I don't clean my own bike.

But for the record, Rob's correct: I have a bad back. My spine lacks the normal curve, so I'm never without pain or discomfort. Some of the vertebrae have also started to fuse together, making it even more inflexible, so occasionally, I start my days with morphine just to get out of bed.

I actually used to enjoy washing my bike, and when I lived elsewhere and had a garden hose to use, I washed my bike with Autoglym stuff, which is now sitting unused, as I've got no access to water, unless I carry bucketfuls of the stuff into the carpark.

So, once every couple of months, I pay £20 to get it valeted into showroom condition. As the Ducati is a fun bike, it doesn't get muddy, as riding in the rain or wet roads is not fun, so this clean lasts for a long time. The Vespa, poor thing, does get dirty, so I wipe her clean with baby wipes after a particularly dirty ride.

Once I'm more solvent, I'm buying one of those hose things from Halford's, so I can strap it on my back and spray the bike clean.

I may have to take up Ed's offer of a garden & garden hose to wash them myself, as otherwise, I'm clearly not a proper Ducatista.

I collected my bike when it was still rainy back in March. When I went for my 1st service, the whole dealership had a go at me for not washing my bike! I had to dig a hole to hide....

Cleaning the bike, customising it etc helps improve the understanding with the bike i suppose. Then again, if i was that obsessed, i would be getting a Harley!

I do get a bit hurt when I saw the oxidation on the rear shock. Cleaning and lubing the chain improves the chain life and prevents uneven wear and tight spots. Road grit, moisture and engine heat are a bad combination to metal parts.

Apparently its an issue with Italian bikes like Ducatis because they were supposed to be less weather resistent than jap bikes! No wonder we have to be meticulous.

But no matter Paivi. Its your bike at the end of the day. Next thing, you will be made to feel unworthy for not putting your knee down, or having chicken strip on your tyres or ....

I would think the monster is a bit easier to clean though, having no fairings in the way? the chap at Mo-clean said just a simple wipe down every now and then is good enough. Bit of detergent and a damp cloth. Then some WD40 to keep the moisture out from the metal parts. I'm thinking of Mr Muscle.

**rog20VT** · 08 Sep 08, 05:06 PM

id do my bike myself too, but it would be good to get it done to showroom condition once in a while so ill be keen to give this guy a go.

No matter how hard i try, i can never get that showroom finish from washing myself, even if i spend 3 hours on it!

**Paivi** · 08 Sep 08, 05:15 PM

I used to wash mine myself and thought the bike looked clean and shiny, but when I had it valeted, it really looked like a brand new bike straight out of the showroom. Well worth it occasionally to remove all the dirt you haven't got off.