Hi! My name is Preston Campbell. I am 11 years old. You might recognize my last name because I am the son of 11-Time Baja 1000 winner, Johnny Campbell. I race variety of off-road events from WORCS, SRA to District 37 desert racing in the 85c class. My dad’s hero-Jimmy Lewis asked me if I would try writing an article for Mini Rider so here it goes….Anyone who rides dirt bikes knows that it is a lot of fun to ride and get dirty. The not-so-fun part comes after, when it is time to get the bike cleaned when you are finished riding. After my Dad and I ride it is my job to clean and wash the bikes. The following tips I have found help to make this not-so-fun task of washing your bike a little easier and with good results.
Here are a few items that I use to do the job:
- 1. Pressure washer (I use an electric one because it is quieter)
- 2. Hondabrite or some type of cleaner
- 3. Duct tape
- 4. Bucket of soapy water
- 5. Scrubbrush or rag
- 6. A towel for drying
- 7. Chain lube and silicone spray
The first thing you do is find a place to wash your bike. I use the grass because there is less clean up. The next thing I do is duct tape the airbox holes on the side panels and the pipe opening. This is to keep water from going into the engine. Next spray the cleaner all over your bike. Let the cleaner sit on your bike for 2-5 minutes to loosen the dirt. Then use the pressure washer to blast the mud off your bike under the fenders, motor, and anywhere you see mud. Sometimes I turn off the gas and lay the bike over on its side to make it easy to get all the hidden dirt from under the motor and fenders. After you knock all the mud off, use your scrub brush or your rag to get a better shine. I also try and be careful with the pressure washer so I don’t spray right into the areas where the bearings are like the wheels and near the shock. My dad tells me that water will get in there and rust out the bearing. Then do a final rinse and check for any dirt you missed. When clean, remove the tape from the airbox openings and exhaust plug and start your bike to make sure no water got in the motor. Use your towel to dry the rest of your bike but be careful the pipe may be hot! After you dry the bike it’s always a good idea to lube your chain, and pivot points like levers, footpegs, brake pedal, and shifter. A little squirt is all it takes! Cleaning your bike is important to keep your bike looking good, running strong, and operating safely. Plus you can see if it needs any work if something is broken because you will see it.Preston Campbell #96j
