Leh - How to prepare your bike (esp, bullet)

dumb_bacchus

Hey,

I found this great write up @ the royal enfield site! Hope it help...

- At ground level the most important things are your tyres and your wheels. Ensure that you have adequate tread on them; we recommend you to start the ride with a brand new set of tyres and tubes, you are less likely to face punctures etc.

- Get the rims balanced (this will prevent braking of spokes and unnecessary wobbles that could spoil your bike's high ride and handling). When you are getting your wheels balanced make sure that the spokes are not protruding from inside the rim. If they are they could puncture the tube from inside. After this, ensure that there is a rubber strip (good condition) around the inside of the rim. When you disassemble the wheels check the wheel bearings as well.

- Inspect and make sure that your bike has only genuine OE parts, especially hubs, spokes rims other engine components. We cannot provide support for modified items and in such case you are requested to carry your own spares. We can make arrangements to carry them in the service truck.

- Get your shock absorbers inspected. They should be in top working order. Check the bushes for the rear shock absorbers and replace if necessary.

- Check condition of front fork oil seals and replace if needed. Make sure that there is no crack on the fork bottom tube. If your springs have sagged or your main tube has worn out get them replaced.

- Check the rear swing arm bush and replace if needed.

- Check your chain and rear sprocket for wear and tear. If you find that there are less than four notches adjustments to go on your chain adjuster cam, replace your chain and both your sprockets.

- Your bike's clutch is really crucial for this trip so make sure that your clutch is in good order and adjusted properly without the trace of any drag, slip etc. When you open your clutch cover to check your clutch also check the primary chain, and the adjuster. Do not use any kind of additional insert under the chain adjuster. If the adjuster has reached its limit replace the primary chain.

- Check your battery and the earthing connections. If you have any history of electrical trouble, be sure that the problem is completely solved. The water, vibrations, dust and maybe snow that riders are likely to encounter on the route could further accentuate existing problems.

- Check for play in the steering column and replace the ball race joints if necessary.

- Check all the rubber components like carb hose, fuel lines, air filter rubber etc. for cracks and tears and replace if indoubt.

- Check all cables and if found bent or frayed, replace immediately. Do not use oil in friction free cables.

- Finally, tighten all the nuts and bolts and if it is found to slip or the threads are damaged replace the relevant parts.

Engine

This is a very crucial part.

If your bike is working fine let it be. It would be a good idea to do a weekend trip to try it out and see how it behaves. It would be a good idea to ride a new bike and make sure that your bike is up to the mark. If there is any doubt please visit your Royal Enfield showroom. Do not leave the fixing of your bike to the last minute and start the trip with an untested bike.

Things to avoid on the bike

- Anything that is likely to take a beating from rough roads and vibrations, this includes:
Extra lights
Extra horns
Extra mirrors
Heavy after market horns
Side boxes
Any other non necessary add ons

- Non standard high rise handlebars

- Alloy rims

- Some number plates fitted on the front mudguard are likely to break the headlamp at full travel

- Smaller wheels if they drastically reduce your ground clearance

- Imported street tyres, as these could puncture and suffer for grip on dirt surfaces

- You should either remove any non standard item from your bike or be prepared to service it on your own

- Extended front forks

- Modified swing arms

- Shortened or extended chassis, chain

edwardseco

Good find. Its a great site..

Haylo

The advice used to be that you replace the sprockets when they show signs of wear, not every time you have a new chain. Perhaps modern chains last so long that by the time they're in need of replacement, the sprockets have gone too!

And when you do replace the sprocket, is it really necessary to change both sprockets? I have never done that as a matter of routine, I've always found that the back sprocket wears much faster than the front.

[miserable old git] Actually, I used to reverse the rear sprocket to even up the wear before replacing it, but that was in the days of "proper" motorbikes before the throwaway culture. [/miserable old git]

Forgot to say, apart from my quibbles above, I thought that was a very useful article - just don't forget that meticulous preparation does not negate the need for regular maintenance on the road!

puchoo

good stuff......basic stuff..but then isin't that what we all tend to forget more often than not...

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Yogesh Sarkar

Even if both the sprockets haven’t worn out fully, it is best to change both of them along with chain. Because even if they aren’t completely worn out, they have been through wear and tear and would likely accelerate wear and tear of the new chain and the other sprocket.

In fact you can’t really get a separate chain in authorized service centers and in fact have to purchase chain set, which contains the chain and both sprockets.

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Haylo

Gosh, things really have moved on since I had my last bike!

Brisso

You must remember that parts are absurdly cheap and repairs cheaper - I had a rear wheel fully respoked in Karol Bagh for $7.

Bullet mechanics are everywhere - not all are good though. Always carry spares - middle of nowhere with a broken cluth cable is no fun. Punctures are an everyday event - be prepared for this (although tyre-wallahs are everywhere).

Yogesh Sarkar

You need better tyres, 40,000+ kms worth of touring and only couple of punctures so far.

puchoo

Not related to the technical side, and again very basic...but one of things i used to spend most time on was tying up all my stuff....not only from the viewpoint that it should not fall off but also from the point of balance, easy access to some stuff like a medical kit, spares, water etc.

The first time i took a bike trip (Delhi - Shimla) i did not spend enough time..as a result after i started climbing, and especially on steeper curves i found myself slightly aware that the balance could have been better....it made for a uncomfy ride till re-did the entire thing.