[tharian]

Originally Posted by V0rtex

How did you avoid the rusting. Almost all the interceptors I’ve seen has rusting near the bend pipes and the engine casing gets really oxidised and dull.

Being in Bangalore, rust is not an issue. I don't water wash it often either which helps.
I am surprised that my bike hasn't seen the casing loosing sheen issue till now, and is probably because of the same reasons above and a closed parking.

[tharian]

So finally, the first puncture happened and thankfully at home. It was a small nail and the leak seems quite slow. I have no idea how long it has been lodged in the rear tyre.
I noticed the wet patch a week ago, but didn't realize it was the puncture sealant which I had filled in the tube a year ago. Must say, the sealant helped me a second time. Probably the rate of leak would have been more without it.
When I checked the tyre pressure, it was 29psi.

Now the debate whether I should go for tubeless or change the tube and continue using the same tyre which I am not too confident about as it probably has only 3-4 K kms left on it. The bike is due for service as well and I can get this done then.

[rajeevsulu]

That tyre has 3-4 k kms easily left. Mine was very bald when I changed it. Unfortunately I did not click a picture. Looks like the sealant liquid is doing it's job.

[Senotrius]

Originally Posted by tharian

So finally, the first puncture happened and thankfully at home. It was a small nail and the leak seems quite slow. I have no idea how long it has been lodged in the rear tyre.

Which is the sealant brand used? Or is there a recommended brand for the same.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by rajeevsulu

That tyre has 3-4 k kms easily left. Mine was very bald when I changed it. Unfortunately I did not click a picture. Looks like the sealant liquid is doing it's job.

This the second time it worked for me. The first time it was on my Bullet when returning from Chennai and the rear tyre got a nasty cut and I was still able to ride back home around 40 kms on a half deflated tyre. The only thing with the sealant is, I am not sure if it can be patched after a puncture.

Originally Posted by Senotrius

Which is the sealant brand used? Or is there a recommended brand for the same.

This is the one I used.

https://amzn.eu/d/77xY43u

[tharian]

I ended up replacing the tube of which I had a spare one since the punctured tube had the sealant in it which made it un-useable for a puncture patch as that had the possibility of the sealant pushing the patch out over time and also because the puncture was at the joints.

I will be definitely moving to a tubeless set up soon as the present tyre wears out a bit more and hopefully I don't get another puncture. The tyre sealant for sure works although the puncture shop guys say it is not worth it. In this case, the tyre did not go fully flat only because of the sealant and it remained at 29 psi and it was a tiny puncture. I have had a bigger cut on my Bullet once before and it sealed the puncture after loosing half the air in the tube and was still rideable.

The only difficult part like most of the 650 owners with tubed tyre know already is the removing and refitting of the tyre. I was lucky I noticed this at home and the puncture shop close by knew how to work on a bike with rear discs brakes. This is also a two man job and I got my hand dirty in the process. The challenging part was refitting the disk brake assemble which was a pain because of probably the guy not knowing the right way and the muffler in the way. I was concerned earlier when I changed the upswept stock mufflers to straight AEW pipes and that it will be in the way of the wheel axle when removing the wheel. But that was fine since there was just enough space to remove it. For the disc brake assembly, the right side muffler nuts had to be removed so it can pushed aside for the brake assemble to be put back in position. The puncture boy was having a tough time and thankfully a known mechanic passed by and with his help, we could fit it back although I don't have rear brakes now probably because of the pad adjustment . The bike is anyway due for a service soon and I can get that fixed.

The conclusion is that, for someone like me who does a lot of solo rides, a tubeless set up is definitely worth it, especially since these tyres are soft and raises the chances of a puncture as they wear out. This time I would consider myself lucky that I was able to ride the bike without much air loss and get the tube replaced. I can't imagine getting this done out on a highway if they don't know how to remove and refit a rear disc brake wheel.

[surjaonwheelz]

Originally Posted by tharian

The challenging part was refitting the disk brake assemble which was a pain because of probably the guy not knowing the right way and the muffler in the way.
...
The puncture boy was having a tough time and thankfully a known mechanic passed by and with his help, we could fit it back although I don't have rear brakes now probably because of the pad adjustment.

One hack the RSA guy told me when re-fitting the rear tyre which I was able to take out was to remove the rear brake pads. The rear brake assembly without the brake pads is much easier to fit with the added room to slot the disc rotor! Once everything is aligned then refit the brake pads.

Happy riding,
surjaonwheelz

[rajeevsulu]

Originally Posted by surjaonwheelz

One hack the RSA guy told me when re-fitting the rear tyre which I was able to take out was to remove the rear brake pads. The rear brake assembly without the brake pads is much easier to fit with the added room to slot the disc rotor! Once everything is aligned then refit the brake pads.

Happy riding,
surjaonwheelz

My RSA told me the same thing when I was chatting to him when I got my tyre changed recently. I do not try any DIY because I am very mechanically challenged and did not pay much heed. So much very credible info!
Cheers

[tharian]

Not happy with the rear brakes after the puncture and wheel re-fitting, I decided to drop off the bike for the annual service yesterday at CVS Motors, Sankey road. The bike was due for service anyway although the engine oil was replaced 6 months ago. This goof up because of the previous service center saying the 6 month check up was not required and didn't enter that in their system and it ended up like I missed that service. To cover that up, they replaced the oil twice in a span of 6 months last year. This service was the 20k kms service and a paid one. This was the first time I tried CVS motors for an annual service. It was the same place I got the fuel pump replaced under warranty and I wanted to continue here for the future services as well. I got all the free services done at the other authorized centre which I realized may not be able to work on complicated issues since I saw more of non-EFi bikes there every time. CVS motors had only the modern Enfields and that along with the fuel pump replacement work, made me change service centers.

Being a weekday, it wasn't crowded although there were plenty of bikes parked around. Oil replacement wasn't done since it was replaced 6 months ago and I was okay with that although this was an annual service. Now I have to get it replaced in the 6 month check up or wait up to a year so it matches the annual services.
I had adjusted the brake pedal after which the brakes started to work, but the bite wasn't there and asked them to check for the pad adjustment. The SA mentioned the front brake pads were worn out too by just touching the caliper which I knew was a stunt the car service centers try. The bike had run just 12k kms and with my kind of riding, I knew the pads won't be worn fully any time soon.
I asked for the clutch cable to be replaced as well since at times there was a click feeling when pulling the lever. He also pushed polishing and buffing which I agreed to since I don't wash the bike that often and it had been a while since I got the engine casing cleaned properly. They use Wurth products for this. Agreeing to this and to a AMC which has discounts on parts and labor, the pads automatically became fine and didn't require replacement. As per the S.A at the service center, the pads cost 5k for a set. Not sure how far that is true. As per the maintenance schedule, it says only to inspect up to the 50k kms schedule.

I got the bike back the same evening and they were polishing it when I got there. I was taken aback by the shine on the valve cover and the side casings. I was expecting a shoddy job since it was a service center and not a detailing shop. The whole bike was cleaned well and all the chrome and paint bits polished and buffed. The rear brake had got its bite back as well. The tappet noise was not consistent, so that was not worked on although I wanted them to check. Today when I used the bike, it sounded like there was slight noise like something was loose. I need to observe if it is the tappets or something else which they forgot to tighten .
The total came up to 4k/- which includes the 1 year AMC and the polishing and buffing. The bike has run 12300 kms.

Originally Posted by surjaonwheelz

One hack the RSA guy told me when re-fitting the rear tyre which I was able to take out was to remove the rear brake pads. The rear brake assembly without the brake pads is much easier to fit with the added room to slot the disc rotor! Once everything is aligned then refit the brake pads.

Happy riding,
surjaonwheelz

Damn! The guy working on my bike said the right opposite stating if the brake pads come out, it is a pain to fit the whole thing back. No wonder he had a tough time putting the assembly back and thankfully didn't damage the pads or rotor in the process.

[tharian]

Something I missed adding in the above post;
Wheel trewing was done as well on both wheels as per the bill, although I did feel a slight change in the way that the front doesn't have a mind of its own now.

[surjaonwheelz]

Originally Posted by tharian

As per the S.A at the service center, the pads cost 5k for a set. Not sure how far that is true.

False, check my post (Ridden: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 & Continental GT 650 Twin) when I changed the front brake pads, it costs Rs. 2,000/- I've not changed the rear ones yet, it should cost less than the front pads.

Damn! The guy working on my bike said the right opposite stating if the brake pads come out, it is a pain to fit the whole thing back. No wonder he had a tough time putting the assembly back and thankfully didn't damage the pads or rotor in the process.

There are some precautions to be taken like preserving the lock pins, the caliper pin should not be kept on a dusty surface (if done, clean and grease it with special caliper grease). Most importantly, don't press the brake lever without the pads installed! One needs to push back the brake piston. Fore-seeing all the complications he must have avoided it and muscled it back in place.

I had this black rubber silencer end protector on my Classic 350 too. It used get stolen from parking and people used to ask me is this for sound!

I need to get the engine case buffing done too! The DIY shine is not at par with the results of a buffing machine.

Happy Enfielding,
surjaonwheelz

[Turbosailor]

Originally Posted by tharian

This was the first time I tried CVS motors for an annual service. It was the same place I got the fuel pump replaced under warranty and I wanted to continue here for the future services as well.

Thanks for sharing, on a curious note. I was in the assumption that if we install any aftermarket exhaust we will loose warranty. But I can see you have installed AEW exhaust. So did any RE ASC raised red flag while you change your fuel pump under warranty ? Because I love to swap my stock exhaust to AEW 102 and my only concern is, if that will lead to a void warranty. I had taken 5 years extended warranty too.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by Turbosailor

Thanks for sharing, on a curious note. I was in the assumption that if we install any aftermarket exhaust we will loose warranty. But I can see you have installed AEW exhaust. So did any RE ASC raised red flag while you change your fuel pump under warranty ? Because I love to swap my stock exhaust to AEW 102 and my only concern is, if that will lead to a void warranty. I had taken 5 years extended warranty too.

Almost 50% of the 650's have their exhausts changed from what I noticed at the service centers. When the fuel pump was replaced under warranty, they said the company will look if all the services were done on time at a A.S.S, for the warranty to be used. This was also my first visit to the particular service centre where the fuel pump failed and also I am sure they would have been aware that it was a known issue.

At the end I suppose it is upto the A.S.S to get it claimed under warranty or not.

[mav3r1ckblu3]

Originally Posted by Turbosailor

Thanks for sharing, on a curious note. I was in the assumption that if we install any aftermarket exhaust we will loose warranty. But I can see you have installed AEW exhaust. So did any RE ASC raised red flag while you change your fuel pump under warranty ? Because I love to swap my stock exhaust to AEW 102 and my only concern is, if that will lead to a void warranty. I had taken 5 years extended warranty too.

I had the same query, these exhausts look great and are more tucked in than the OEM fitment. I'm not really into loud exhausts but anything that could look compact and won't damage the engine would be my ideal go to exhaust. I recently bought a used 2020 Orange Crush Interceptor 30K run, for 2.1 Lakhs INR, and I'm modifying it to my taste at the moment.

[Turbosailor]

Originally Posted by tharian

Almost 50% of the 650's have their exhausts changed from what I noticed at the service centers.
At the end I suppose it is upto the A.S.S to get it claimed under warranty or not.

I had checked about swapping exhaust with two different service advisors at company run service center in Cochin and they were telling, I will loose warranty and it deterred me. And the outmost desire to hear that rumble is keep on creeping up every time I ride. Need to check on this again in another RE ASC.

Originally Posted by mav3r1ckblu3

I had the same query, these exhausts look great and are more tucked in than the OEM fitment. I'm not really into loud exhausts but anything that could look compact and won't damage the engine would be my ideal go to exhaust.

I too have the exact requirement. And I have shortlisted AEW 102. It looks like those barrels made by S&S. In our TeamBhp family many have opted for after market exhaust and it would be much appreciated if some more info into this can be shared.