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2003 Royal Enfield 500 Deluxe
- Thread starter Raymond
- Start date
I was struggling to find somewhere reasonably nead that stocked the correct size tyres for my 650 and would fit them. I eventually had to go over to Wrexham at Demon Tweeks, about an hour away. I really wanted Dunlop K70s but the price was prohibitive. So I had a pair of Mitas fitted. Considering the fact that the tyres will rot before they're worn out I'm quite happy with that.
Work in progress.
Once you grok it, the QD hub does actually live up to its name. Just need to remove the split pin (cotter pin), remove the outer nut, and push the spindle out. There's one spacer to catch on the r/h side. I mean, c'mon just one nut to remove the rear wheel . . .
Wheel then pushes off the vanes. I've had it out before, but I've heard that if the wheel hasn't been out for years, it can be reluctant to let go - tales of needing to kick it or clout it. I'll put a dab of red rubber grease on the cush drive to make sure it's still easy next time.
Sprocket, brake drum and chain stay in place.
Treating the Slug to new inner tubes and rim tape too, after all, these might be the 23-year old originals?
Once you grok it, the QD hub does actually live up to its name. Just need to remove the split pin (cotter pin), remove the outer nut, and push the spindle out. There's one spacer to catch on the r/h side. I mean, c'mon just one nut to remove the rear wheel . . .
Wheel then pushes off the vanes. I've had it out before, but I've heard that if the wheel hasn't been out for years, it can be reluctant to let go - tales of needing to kick it or clout it. I'll put a dab of red rubber grease on the cush drive to make sure it's still easy next time.
Sprocket, brake drum and chain stay in place.
Treating the Slug to new inner tubes and rim tape too, after all, these might be the 23-year old originals?
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Eeh, uhm, we're getting down to basic here. I've bought new rubber rim tapes but I don't know how to fit them. This issue must have arisen in the dim and distant past but my mind is a blank.
That internet is proving useless, completely obsessed with fitting tape for tubeless applications when you need to glue the rim tape to seal the spoke holes. Tried using the word NOT but Google just laughs and still finds plenty of helpful results about tubeless rim tape and gluing it on. There's even the suggestion to use gaffa tape to seal those spokes.
So I'll try this sensible audience. How should I fit those rubber rim tapes? Grease, glue, nuffin?
POSTSCRIPT Just spoken to a gentleman from https://twotyres.co.uk/ who says just stretch the tape over the spokes in the wheel rim, job done.
I'll probably put a smear of grease, just coz.
That internet is proving useless, completely obsessed with fitting tape for tubeless applications when you need to glue the rim tape to seal the spoke holes. Tried using the word NOT but Google just laughs and still finds plenty of helpful results about tubeless rim tape and gluing it on. There's even the suggestion to use gaffa tape to seal those spokes.
So I'll try this sensible audience. How should I fit those rubber rim tapes? Grease, glue, nuffin?
POSTSCRIPT Just spoken to a gentleman from https://twotyres.co.uk/ who says just stretch the tape over the spokes in the wheel rim, job done.
I'll probably put a smear of grease, just coz.
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I vote nothing on the rim tapes. Stretch them over the rim carefully, job done.
Grease (petroleum) may not play nice with the rubber tape, Raymond.
I vote for nothing.
I vote for nothing.
If a bit of lubricant is required, I think I'd use a dusting of talc. I wouldn't use anything petroleum based, for sure.
I got to thinking that as well. I had put the thinnest smear on the back of the rim tape but I got worried about grease reacting with rubber so wiped it off again, though that means there will be traces. Don't think it'll do any harm.
PS just seen IBALT's post - yes, I used talc on the inner tube to ease into the tyres.
Got the tyres pumped up, but one has gone down. I guess I have pinched the tube. Like most jobs, I love fitting tyres when it goes well, less so when it doesn't. Ho hum, have given up for today.
New tyres now mounted - yes, I had pinched the tube, for some reason, had a real struggle fitting the first one. Got more practice once a new tube arrived. Bought two of course, just to be sure to be sure, and having a spare is not silly.
But no problems second time round. BTW, a shout out to tyre mounting soap. It really helps and once I'd used a lever to push part of the bead over the rim, was able to push most of the circumference over with the heel of my hands, then just a shove with the end of a lever to get the last bit done.
Back from the first ride.
Obviously, very cautious for the first miles on new rubber but the bike felt distinctly smoother rolling into and though sets of bends. That will largely be down to the round profile of the Mitas rear - the old Avon SM had a much squarer profile.
Rear tread pattern is slightly blocky, though not a full trail-bike tyre.
The equivalent front, now it's on slightly reminds me of the old TT100s.
I think I'm going to enjoy this set of tyres.
But no problems second time round. BTW, a shout out to tyre mounting soap. It really helps and once I'd used a lever to push part of the bead over the rim, was able to push most of the circumference over with the heel of my hands, then just a shove with the end of a lever to get the last bit done.
Back from the first ride.
Obviously, very cautious for the first miles on new rubber but the bike felt distinctly smoother rolling into and though sets of bends. That will largely be down to the round profile of the Mitas rear - the old Avon SM had a much squarer profile.
Rear tread pattern is slightly blocky, though not a full trail-bike tyre.
The equivalent front, now it's on slightly reminds me of the old TT100s.
I think I'm going to enjoy this set of tyres.
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Very nice Raymond. Really like the look of the front.
As a side note, I used to use dish soap to lubricate tires for mounting till I discovered that it corroded alloy wheels and rust in steel ones. I switched to spray silicone since
As a side note, I used to use dish soap to lubricate tires for mounting till I discovered that it corroded alloy wheels and rust in steel ones. I switched to spray silicone since
Just back from an errand in Galashiels.
Getting used to the new tyres. The rear looks skinny and it feels skinny too - that'll be because the old one was squared off but this one is rounded and falls into corners very easily.
Getting used to the new tyres. The rear looks skinny and it feels skinny too - that'll be because the old one was squared off but this one is rounded and falls into corners very easily.
I think Raymond wins the award for prettiest backyard / shop setting! I could sit out there all day long!
Well, thank you Bob, for your kind words. The back yard, garage, back garden have become, with the hard work of the Head Gardener and my occasional assistance, a really nice place to be. When the weather allows, so most days just now, we spend more time outdoors than in. Just at the bottom of the steps is our tea terrace and we eat out there, as much as.
And the garage is my happy place or at least one of, especially with all three bikes ready & available, just ongoing maintenance right now. Shhhh . . .
Thinking on that, the W800 suffers by being so reliable it gets left aside except when needed - longer runs or bad weather. The XS had a few unfortunate episodes that left Missy high and dry. Meanwhile taking up that slack, the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 aka the Slug has pretty much moved from anachronistic-motorcycle-that-actually-works to being in effect a daily rider. And right now, the Slug and Miss November are both go-to choices for daily errands and local rides.
And the garage is my happy place or at least one of, especially with all three bikes ready & available, just ongoing maintenance right now. Shhhh . . .
Thinking on that, the W800 suffers by being so reliable it gets left aside except when needed - longer runs or bad weather. The XS had a few unfortunate episodes that left Missy high and dry. Meanwhile taking up that slack, the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 aka the Slug has pretty much moved from anachronistic-motorcycle-that-actually-works to being in effect a daily rider. And right now, the Slug and Miss November are both go-to choices for daily errands and local rides.
Talking of the tea terrace. Bullet 500 cooling down in the yard. Made in India but manages to smell like a British bike - some of you might know what I mean.
Took the Slug to visit Elliot this morning, 110 mile round trip and the bike behaved fine.
Harvest is in full swing and at one point we caught up with a great long column of three huge tractors pulling huge trailers and ahead of them four huge combine harvesters. Plus a good number of cars stuck in the queue. Nothing to be done except slow down and follow . . .
But back home now and it's still a nice afternoon, which will be spent sitting in the shade on our tea terrace.
Took the Slug to visit Elliot this morning, 110 mile round trip and the bike behaved fine.
Harvest is in full swing and at one point we caught up with a great long column of three huge tractors pulling huge trailers and ahead of them four huge combine harvesters. Plus a good number of cars stuck in the queue. Nothing to be done except slow down and follow . . .
But back home now and it's still a nice afternoon, which will be spent sitting in the shade on our tea terrace.
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Over 300 miles on the tyres now and finding more confidence than the Avon SMs.
Today started a rootine service, it's 1800 miles since the last oil change. Did the oil change first with the rigmarole of old-skool felt filter with its twelve bits of hardware - acorn nut, steel washer, fibre washer, end cover, O-ring, gasket, spring, larger steel washer, felt washer, etc. The spring is only there to make the end cover fly off the filter housing as you remove the acorn nut . . .
Oil capacity quoted as 2 1/4 litres but I only added 1 3/4 and it's well up the dip stick. I'll do a few miles tomorrow and see if that settles a little lower.
Checked the steering head, forks, electrics. Tomorrow, adjust tappets, lube cables, check & tighten fasteners.
All good fun.
Today started a rootine service, it's 1800 miles since the last oil change. Did the oil change first with the rigmarole of old-skool felt filter with its twelve bits of hardware - acorn nut, steel washer, fibre washer, end cover, O-ring, gasket, spring, larger steel washer, felt washer, etc. The spring is only there to make the end cover fly off the filter housing as you remove the acorn nut . . .
Oil capacity quoted as 2 1/4 litres but I only added 1 3/4 and it's well up the dip stick. I'll do a few miles tomorrow and see if that settles a little lower.
Checked the steering head, forks, electrics. Tomorrow, adjust tappets, lube cables, check & tighten fasteners.
All good fun.
Completed the service. Tank off to torque the cylinder head fasteners, a few took a 1/4 turn to click, but not sure if that will reduce the oil spitting.
Spark plug looks ok to me and nice colour
but shoved a new one in and to hell with the expense.
Lubed a few cables
Used a small brush to daub engine oil along the free length then work the cable in & out, repeat.
Did the tappets too, made a new gasket for the cover plate.
Been for a road test and she feels fine.
Spark plug looks ok to me and nice colour
but shoved a new one in and to hell with the expense.
Lubed a few cables
Used a small brush to daub engine oil along the free length then work the cable in & out, repeat.
Did the tappets too, made a new gasket for the cover plate.
Been for a road test and she feels fine.
Just part of the vintage charm. With my old Bonneville, every ride was followed with a quick wipe with a rag along certain case seams and a new sheet of newspaper slid under the motor to catch the inevitable drip or two.
It was a great bike but it always weeped a little.
Generally, the Slug retains its oil pretty well. Don't generally put a drip tray underneath, no need to. Sometimes, the primary chain-case will develop a drip, usually after a run, so sometimes on getting home I'll pass a rag along the lower edge. So I don't get a drip on the flagstones. Lately, there's been the occasional drip under the gearbox and it's most likely the joint between the inner gearbox and the middle part where the change mechanism lives - don't want to disturb and probably won't unless it gets a lot worse.
The worst at the moment is just spitting which might be the cylinder head joint, or possibly the rocker boxes. I mentioned this on the RE Community forum and said I sometimes have to wipe a smattering off the front edge of the toolboxes. One response was, don't do that, it's interfering with the factory anti-corrosion system.
But overall, nothing to frighten the horses if you know what I mean.
The worst at the moment is just spitting which might be the cylinder head joint, or possibly the rocker boxes. I mentioned this on the RE Community forum and said I sometimes have to wipe a smattering off the front edge of the toolboxes. One response was, don't do that, it's interfering with the factory anti-corrosion system.
But overall, nothing to frighten the horses if you know what I mean.