I have used this motorcycle for all purposes and gone everywhere possible, tarmac or no tarmac, on stock tyres.
BHPian surjaonwheelz recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
2nd Anniversary/Birthday Photoshoot with Spitfire, RE Interceptor 650
02.02.2022, 2 years with the simple machine. Last year I rode less than the first year with no overnighters as we went road tripping in our Brio. Only around 4k kms added to cross the 10k kms milestone before the birthday.
2 mods worth mentioning
- Marsh auto preload adjusters: These were added to adjust the rider’s sag. sukiwa did the measurements and we dialled in the spacers measuring with a vernier caliper. Follow up mod is to change the fork oil which is deferred courtesy of Omicron. DM me if you want the measurements. This was a DIY with sukiwa, he has the required tools. Difference is felt but can’t be quantified, it’s good to have it done. You would need risers to accommodate the adjusters. No risers are needed for Conti 650.
- Grip puppies grip cover: Recently I had a thumb injury and it would hurt on long 300-350 km trips. I tried all the techniques of gripping the throttle lightly. Rotating the throttle like a doorknob didn’t help after the pain threshold. The increase in diameter after installing the Grip puppies helped a lot! So this was a personal need and not a generic mod.
- Other cosmetic, minor mods: Adv tribe was running some sale and I ordered their side stand extender and rear brake fluid reservoir cover just for the sake of it! Also ordered the MK designs pillion footpeg heel plates. Yet to install them.
The good part
Trouble-free ownership otherwise [touch wood], enjoyed a lot of weekend breakfast rides with fellow BHPians all around Pune. I always had one bike for all purposes so I went everywhere possible, tarmac or no-tarmac, with the stock tyres!
Chain slack was adjusted at FNG. I started using the Putoline Drytec chain lube.
For cleaning and polishing, I’ve moved to Wavex products.
- Wavex Wash & wax shampoo – monthly
- Wavex Dry wash spray – weekly
- Wavex Carnauba wax – monthly
- Wavex Matt tyre spray – monthly
- Turtle wax Chrome Polish – monthly
- Autosol metal polish – depends
The not so good part
The fuel lid rubber gasket has cracked again! I had changed the entire key set once under warranty earlier and don’t want to do it again. The only option now is to get it from Roadpower customs who charge 900 for the gasket alone.
Things that need attention
- The stock seat has gone soft at my contact points. I’ll get it done at a local seat maker again deferred courtesy of Omicron. I tried the new premium touring seat from RE, it’s good. If my seat experiment doesn’t work out well I’ll order this.
- Pillion comfort: Recently, I did some short commutes with her, a backrest is much needed for the pillion.
Birthday gift
Motowings Hyperflow air filter. Yet to install it.
PS: I’ll follow up with a post with detailed pics of the above mods, if required, or you can simply search the products which are already discussed here earlier.
Now enjoy the photoshoot with TheCelestial.
Keyword: My Royal Enfield Interceptor 650: 2 years & 10,000 km update