Glossed to go/Made like a Gun

Never polished a gun before. Never want to either. But, yes did feel like it today. Got down and dirty, with an old pair of shorts and a bright green tee.

Tools?

An old toothbrush (thanks to my roomie), a new cloth, some tissue paper (nothing like it after the violence of washing it with a cloth), 2 full buckets, a mug, liquid soap and some motivation.

Started off with the front wheel, although I was tempted in all my enthusiasm to attack the greasy clutch exterior and engine cylinder fins. But sanity prevailed and I decided otherwise. 10 minutes into the operation (I had put aside 25 minutes for this entire task), my energy sapped as I realized that I had to brush 80 odd individual rods that support the wheel rim. Persist and prevail, said a weathered voice inside me, it said, ‘even this’ll pass’. 10 minutes later, satisfied with my effort, I went on to the part I thought would give this artist [;)] and his brush the least resistance and most satisfaction of having greased something off for real (normal dirt is for sissies). Mistaken, and mistaken in a large measure I was. The excessive grease clogged the brush bristles and took the edge out of the only weapon I possessed to clean the muck. Persist, said the voice. I decided to listen to the wise counsel again. And soon realized that the oil and grease automatically came off as I kept brushing vigorously, similar to life, you persist and you can lick problems away.

Engine done, 30 minutes hence I looked at the 80 odd rods that greeted me again. By this time I was desperate and wanted to get over with it. I was tired counting minutes, I had crossed over an hour. Kneeled and got it over with in a much lesser time and decided to finish off with the water remaining in the buckets. Splish, splosh and I emptied the contents of one bucket, only to realize that I had missed the all important silencer.
Got down again, brush in right hand and a soap mug in the left I went to work. Scrubbing it, and being happy with myself, I washed it nice. The tank and all done, I took out the all important tissues to give it the final clean look and get rid of all the fibers that stuck to the tank, tool boxes, body, et al.

When at last I got to the silencer, it suddenly hit me as I stretched my hand across the long tube as if I were polishing the barrel of a gun. I couldn’t help smiling, the slogan for this bike itself started off as “Made like a gun”. Appropriate.
Felt content washing ‘flint’ (that’s what I call it) with my own hands. Flint gets me places, makes sure I reach on time and meet people. This is all I can give in return. A little care, some polishing, so it stands proud with its peers.

Don’t let strange hands touch your machine, wash it yourself. You’ll know as I did.

CZ/MA

Logo:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycles/royal-enfield/royal-enfield-logo-300.jpg