[ramki067]

Gansan,
Do you have owners manual for splendor. Mine is 2006 splendor plus and looking out for a manual.
Thanks

[Gansan]

Yes, I have it. But mine is Feb'2000 model, most probably from end '99 batch. The exhaust systems will be different.

But I need the manual. If you need specific pages I can photo / scan it and mail you.

My bike has clocked 139000 km now and running great.

[Gansan]

44k km crossed after the engine rebuild, now there is some rough noise when accelerating. Mechanic says it is from the timing chain and we can replace it at the next service, no hurry now. Says we can also replace the valves and a set of rings while doing it, and the engine should be good for another 20-30k km.

The clutch plate was replaced earlier at 36k km post rebuild.

[Gansan]

Five years up after first FC renewal, time for the second renewal next month! The odo reads 149650 km! I am retired, but still ride around on the bike! My son, the little boy sitting on the bike in the first page of this thread, is now studying second year at NITT, and is a regular rider of the bike whenever he is home! Time surely flies.

Last time I spent a couple of K for the renewal. Let us see this time. I will update once it is done.

[Gansan]

I do all my RTO office work through a driving school near my home. The FC expires on 20th Feb but they said we can apply a month in advance, so engaged them again. Paid Rs 3200 all inclusive. They told me to do an emission test at the RTO approved test centre, which is located right next to the RTO. I did and submitted the original RC book/insurance copy/emission certificate to them last evening. I was informed to bring the bike to the RTO the next morning.

Took the bike to the RTO test track at 8 AM today. After completing the driving tests for the numerous two wheelers and cars waiting there, the brake inspector came to my bike. Went around the bike for a good look, told me to start and idle/accelerate the engine for a few minutes. Checked my papers submitted by the DS fellow,signed them. I was told to go. The RC will be handed over to me by the driving school in a couple of days. I understand it will be a card instead of the old book this time. As usual, a very smooth experience!

I know it will cost me a lot less if I directly apply at the RTO office. But I may have to visit, or may be made to visit, a couple or three times. I neither have the time nor the inclination to do that!

My 20 year old bike is good to go for five more years, at 149800 km and counting!

[gypsyFreak]

Originally Posted by Gansan

My 20 year old bike is good to go for five more years, at 149800 km and counting!

Well, i am in the same boat.
I have a 1998 Splendor completed almost 90k and still going strong. Still use if for daily commute once in a week.
No major repairs so far, other than regular maintenance. I just had headlight assembly replaced for better visibility with new Splendor one.
The first RC is expiring in Sep 2020, need to get it extended.

Have tried any additives like Liqui Moly shooter, engine flush.
Also, can send me the Engine oil specs sheet in the owner's manual.

Planning to get a service done, thinking of flush + additive + synthetic engine oil. Have used Shell 10w30 earlier with average response. Wanted to get the engine smoother and less noise.

Any suggestions..?

[Gansan]

If it is 1998 model one FC renewal would have happened in 2013 and would have expired in 2018?

The engine oil as recommended in owner's manual is 20W40 only. I am currently using synthetic Motorcycle oil Helix Ultra 10W40. Don't compromise on the upper number.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Gansan

Paid Rs 3200 all inclusive...I know it will cost me a lot less if I directly apply at the RTO office. But I may have to visit, or may be made to visit, a couple or three times

Sir...gone are those days!! With Parivahan 4, people are made to sit tight on their chairs!!

Here's our experience, that too less than a month ago & that too with 2 RTO - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...vahan-4-a.html (Fitness certificate renewal of 15 year old Activa - Straightforward approach with Vahan 4)

We got everything done at Rs 1150 + super polite folks right from clerk to supervisor to cashier & guess who was the most politest of all? The inspector!! All we need to do is have all the papers (just 4 of them), that too not even in order; they'll take to pin it as well.

Icing on cake? We never had to run from pillar to post!! Everything was done right in the same office, with super proper direction & the superintendent at Redhills got the job done under 25 minutes!! Infact he encouraged us to get the whole thing done in a single day; but we were little reluctant. Total time spent at both RTO should've not been more than 3 hours.

[abhi9044]

Hello Gansan sir,
Was planning on replacing the engine oil on my dad's 2003 Splendor. The manual calls for 20W40 whereas I was thinking to go ahead with Shell AX-7 10W40. Can you please recommend me which oil I should be going ahead with? The bike isn't used much (approx >1k/year) and has currently clocked around 47k, so my plan is to fill it with oil that should have a decent shelf life. Also I feel the 20W40 would be a bit thicker during cold starts but my recent experience with Mobil Super Moto 10W40( Semi-Synth) hasn't been good. The bike started making timing chain noises at startup, and some other sounds also have arose from the engine till the engine gets heated up. So is 10w really that bad? Also one thing that I suspect is that since neither the oil strainer nor the centrifugal filter hasn't been cleaned till date, it could be one of the reasons for the slower oil flow, thus all the noise, and I'm planning to get it cleaned.
Also while cleaning the centrifugal filter is a new centrifugal filter gasket required? And is the Right Crankcase Side Gasket available as a separate unit or I'll have to buy the complete gasket kit?

Thanks,
Abhishek.

[Gansan]

1) 10W40 should not have any issues. The 40 part is more important, since the oil will quickly heat up and attain that number. 10w30 will cause faster wear and noise. Even if bike is used for only 1000 km a year, do one oil change every six months. I have used Shell AX 7 and it is good, but you can try their 15w40 also, I think it is AX5.

2) It is a good idea to clean the oil strainer and centrifugal filter once in two years for normal usage with regular oil changes. Since you say it has never been done, get it done during the next oil change.

3) The right side crank case gasket alone needs to be replaced, it is available separately.

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by abhi9044

Hello Gansan sir,
Was planning on replacing the engine oil on my dad's 2003 Splendor. The manual calls for 20W40 whereas I was thinking to go ahead with Shell AX-7 10W40. Can you please recommend me which oil I should be going ahead with? The bike isn't used much (approx >1k/year) and has currently clocked around 47k, so my plan is to fill it with oil that should have a decent shelf life. Also I feel the 20W40 would be a bit thicker during cold starts but my recent experience with Mobil Super Moto 10W40( Semi-Synth) hasn't been good. The bike started making timing chain noises at startup, and some other sounds also have arose from the engine till the engine gets heated up. So is 10w really that bad? Also one thing that I suspect is that since neither the oil strainer nor the centrifugal filter hasn't been cleaned till date, it could be one of the reasons for the slower oil flow, thus all the noise, and I'm planning to get it cleaned.
Also while cleaning the centrifugal filter is a new centrifugal filter gasket required? And is the Right Crankcase Side Gasket available as a separate unit or I'll have to buy the complete gasket kit?

Thanks,
Abhishek.

The complete gasket kit costs around Rs.100'ish for Non-OE if individual gaskets from OE turns out to the pricey as is usually the case then dont bother, just buy the complete Non-OE kit as reusing gasket is not recommended even though local mechanics do so.

As for oils, use any oil that is cheaply available be it 0W60, 10W30, 15W40, 15W50, 20W40, 20W50 etc, more importance lies in the fact that you change the oil in a timely manner(1500~2000kms or 6 Months). This is the basic requirement, irrespective of what oil manufacturers claim you cannot disregard the basics and expect to get impeccable results, that simply is not how a machine works.

While you have the clutch cover off, do consider changing the friction plates(Rs.150) and oil pump(Rs.300ish) this is considering your usage pattern, mileage and symptoms regarding oil flow you've mentioned.

Ideally if you are prompt when it comes to changing oil then cleaning the centrifugal filter and strainer once everytime the clutch is changed would be enough. The problem is this being India no one really pays heed to the basics and eventually end up purchasing snake oils to improve performance.

It is a vicious cycle that every motorist needs to be aware of IMHO.

Just sharing an experience, my friend who rides a Splendor runs on cheap Diesel oils like my CT100 and uses the Motorcycle to commute interstate with me, he has about 75k+ km's on the odo as of now and the only thing we'd replaced was the clutch friction plates a few months ago, I did the DIY replacement and on inspection the strainer and centrifugal filter was relatively clean as well due to his timely change intervals.



So I hope that clears all doubts.

P.S. Also change Seals and O'Rings, you can get Non-OE complete kit for about Rs.50~100/- for both together.

Cheers,
A.P.

[Bismaya]

This was one of the first threads I read about a Splendor Ownership on this forum. Kudos to you for running the bike for such a long time. Attaching below some pictures of my 2015 Splendor Pro. It recently completed 90,000kms. Went a major overhaul at 72,600kms due to the bad quality of fuel here and some wear & tear. The quality isn't like the old Splendors but it still gets the work done. Had my first chain sprocket change at about 62,000kms and switched to Rolon. I am using Apollo Actizip and Actigrip tyres. Changed the headlight bulb to a Osram Silverstar and horns are from Pulsar 220. Bike is still on stock block/bore without any issues or compression loss.

Here is what I got done at the overhaul:

1. Head Decarb
2. New Valves
3. Clutch & Steel Plates Replacement
4. Fork Oil change and dust cap replacement
5. New Timing Chain
6. Brake Shoes
7. New Battery
8. Handle Coneset and wheel Bearings

I am hoping to hit 1,00,000kms by next year or so. Driving is very less now due to COVID.

[Gansan]

60k km completed after the engine rebuild done in 2012, odo now stands at 163k+ km. Another revamp planned this week. I am replacing both wheels entirely - rim, hub, spokes, brake shoes, dampers and bearings. The hubs are worn on the inside, so fresh brake shoes last for only half the intended life. Even while installing new shoes it has to be tightened substantially to achieve satisfactory braking. The only solution is to replace the hubs. Wheel rims are corroded slightly at a couple of places, so replacing them as well, and new spokes too. Also replacing the chain/sprockets (almost at end of life) and rear shock absorbers. They are rock hard now.

Not much work on the engine. It is still very smooth and returns 65+ kmpl. But the mechanic says timing chain needs to be replaced, and while doing that we may as well replace a set of rings and valves, and the engine will be good to go for another 50k km. He suggested to use the timing chain and valves of TVS Victor or Scooty Pep+, since they are of a much superior quality and fit to a T on the Splendor engine. Says he has done it for a couple of other bikes with extremely good outcome! I found the experiment interesting, and gave the go ahead.

He gave a parts list today and I went by car and purchased all the parts. Cost was Rs 9.5k. The tyres are good to go for another few thousand km, but I am planning to replace them as well since we are fixing new wheels. Cost may be about 5k. Wheel specialist charges for assembling and truing both wheels is Rs 800.00 The mechanic (longtime friend) has not mentioned his charges, but I expect to pay about 1.5k. Total dent may be about 17k+.

Bike has three more years of FC, after which it may not be renewed. Already done 2 renewals. But what the hell! I like the bike very much! Still runs like butter! New EV purchase pushed back for some time, till the air clears about the various models available! Till then, fill it, shut it and forget it!

[Bismaya]

Originally Posted by Gansan

Bike has three more years of FC, after which it may not be renewed. Already done 2 renewals. But what the hell! I like the bike very much! Still runs like butter! New EV purchase pushed back for some time, till the air clears about the various models available! Till then, fill it, shut it and forget it!

Always a pleasure to read your experience. I would say renew it. I have renewed my dad's CD100 FC for the 3rd time. It's valid till 2026 now. Keep it running as long as you can. These motorcycles have a very long life.

[Gansan]

My second renewal was in Feb 2020. I think thereafter an amendment has been made to the MV act, which allows only two renewals for new private vehicles after the initial 15 year period, and only one renewal for commercial vehicles.

So I don't think I can renew once it runs out in 2025.