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Comment on a previous video. I have taken your advice regarding setting up the interceptor with a chair. Oil now changed to 15w and fitted adjustable pre load, which I have set to 10 mm of pre load and it's spot on. Thanks so much for the good advice. Star man.

I have and love my 2022 Orange Crush ( like yours ) and here in WA Australia with average roads , many great bike roads up in the hills east of Perth and I have never had any problems with my suspension , even 2 up it just cruses so well .

Royal Enfield do some great new bikes, particularly the 650's. All of those. The 350 Hunter and Meteor are good too but beware the new Classic and Bullet 350's. They are total fakery from the ground up and not nearly as good as the 500's they replaced. Aside from the lack of vibration with the new model 350's, they fall sadly short on just about every other level when compared to the 500's. The battery isn't even in the battery box. It's fake and it's all plastic and wires to get to it through what used to be the air filter housing. Also now fake. Fake chrome surround plastic 'glass' clocks. Plastic chromed key surround. Even the optional sprung seat isn't real. It's fake. The side boxes are plastic, with only the fronts being metal. No back up kick starter anymore. Then there's the power. The 500 has 30+% more torque and 30+% more BHP. The list is endless tbh.

Nice Ian , love workshops my self , looking at another jacket, fancy a leather again, but not found the right one yet, thanks again both of you take care Ted NW biker dude

Wait on X-Mas you get a new jacket from your wife °

For a complete newbie who bought this motorcycle to learn a little bit more about mechanics and doing the servicing myself, I SINCERELY APPRECIATE the time and effort that you have made to CLEARLY explain WHY YOU THINK that the rotation should be anti-clockwise, especially when there are so many 'opinions' expressed in posts. For me your logic wins out. Thank ypu again👍👍👍

As one of your other followers said Like a kid in a candy shop LOL At least you have a RE dealer near you And I did like some of the helmets you showed But no mee jackets for me my closet is full Regards 🦩🦩

Hehe, the lady who I thought was in the showroom to keep an eye on you, wasn't doing so on behalf of the Royal Enfield dealership then! :) --------- My girlfriend and I used to chat via a wireless intercom system when we were out motorcycling. She liked to ride her own bike more than being a passive pillion. I would follow her because she liked to ride slower. Good times when both have a license! :) PS Since our move, she has yet to rediscover her interest in biking. --------- So, did Sue succeed in charming them to have you help promote their merchandise? :)

My wife likes motorcycle shirts. She says they’re better quality than most of the stuff she normally buys. Fortunately, she sticks to the clearance racks. Sue seemed very eager to uncover the name of the Super Meteor for you. That seat looks much more comfy than the thing on the Interceptor. She won’t be truly happy until you find a way to get one. There’s no better problem than trying to make your wife happy by buying another bike.

You look a bit like a kid in a sweet shop .😅 Looking forward to your bike reviews . ( Freddie Dobbs must be worried now ).😂

No chance, Royal Enfield don't make anything I'd want to ride or buy.

Another shopping trip to Sophia🤗 At least you only bought a shirt and not another RE!

Always great info.

Hi Ian , Hope alls well, can I ask please , Have you fitted an after market camshaft in your Himalayan and if so did the wear issue at the top of the exhuast value appear after this? I own a Himalayan scram and have been checking the valve clearances regularly with no issue , I dont hold back on the revs either. OK thats all cheers , regards Mick.

You've got the Interceptor looking like new Ian! I think a video on how you clean and detail your bikes would go down quite well.

that cost is insane on those filters, for my ktm500 they are about 4quid and available anywhere

If synthetic oil is more slippery or has less friction than mineral oil, then how can it cause an engine to run hotter? There must be more to it than my simplistic understanding. Maybe the mineral oil cools down easier in the radiator or something... ? Thanks for another interesting look over your shoulder! :)

Hey man. Great video. Question. Are the TEC Camshaft and valves for the Himalayan 411 good for everyday use (commute) and traveling long distance? what are your thoughts having installed and using them after a while?

What do you think of free flowing air filters and slip on's maybe even Fuel x to help run cooler, am thinking of doing it on mine even though fuel x will probably void warranty I've got a 23 interceptor so euro 5. Enjoying your channel 👍

can we just try directing the rubber pipe on the chain with one way valve so as to lubricate the chain from excessive oil

Hi for the past few years I have changed my Sportster oil and filter the way Scooter tramp Scotty showed on his video. I was thinking of doing the same with mu conti. Just not sure if the oil goes through the filter first or on return. It would seem to be the logical way but what do you think. Really enjoying your channel BTW.

Just bought my first Interceptor so your advice will be well appreciated.

Honestly I would stick with synthetic ester oil on the Interceptor, it is specifically engineered for high temperature air cooled engines. Mineral oil will degrade quicker. The dark colour is caused mostly by combustion contaminants, not heat damage. The current Euro 5 handbook says oil changes should be at 4660 miles or 12 months, I will be changing mine at 3000 miles/12 months just to be sure. Incidentally, my dealer's mechanic reckons that 10W 50 is specced for India use, and you might be better off with 10W 40 in the UK.

Good tip about the Belray oil. It's available in Canada but you have to order it . I normally use mineral oil in my 74 Guzzi Eldorado because it has no oil filter and needs to be changed more frequently . Do you happen to know what the zddp level is ?

Thanks again 🦩

Great video, love watching your content! Keep up the great work! I own a 2019 Himalayan, love it! Have done a few sensible mods, some good points you raised on parts availability, especially our reliance on China! One small point, you mentioned Freddie Dobbs 2010 Bonneville as British made, this isn't the case, I used to own a 790 2006 model (carburated) this was definitely the last year that Triumph manufactured in the UK, I have this from Triumph's customer service department, all bikes after this year were made in Thailand. A real travesty in my opinion, as a result of which Motad exhausts went bust, Central Wheel had to shed a load of jobs, and probably plenty more besides, yet they still plaster their bikes in Union flags and call them a 'premium' brand! At least Royal Enfield don't pretend to be something they are not 🤷 Looking forward to the next video! Take care mate 👍 Bill 😎

can we swap Himalayan's internals in for the interceptors front suspension

Did mine better but that rear brake is almost useless.

There is one part of the 6000 km- or yearly maintenance that costs nothing because no parts are needed: valve adjustment. I tried it and was surprised how tricky it can be: First of all, getting the cover off, showed me that this bike really wasn't designed for easy maintenance, as so many people have claimed. Then, I learned that the angle of sliding the feeler gauge back and forth until one senses the onset of friction makes quite a difference. Keeping the correct gap while tightening the nut to secure it, was another exercise in frustration for me. Got the gap just so, tighten the lock nut, re-check and... the gap's changed. :( Finally, replacing the cover whilst ensuring correct fit of the seal, was another fiddly fumble! Regardless of the hours it took me, I'm glad I got it done. Also, I'm glad I did not break anything!!! And glad the cylinder head doesn't seem to leak! Hurrah ! :) --------- I have yet to perform an oil change. Thanks for suggesting a source for a filter. Hitchcock's are rarely, if ever, the cheapest but they're always very fast, which I value highly. :) What an interesting thought about synthetic- versus mineral oil ! Might give that a go... --------- As for the Royal Enfield Warranty, if the dealer chooses not to honour it, then what good is it?! I was refused repair work due to my bike having been modified / having been presented in non original condition. In hindsight, I think I got lucky because, well, I had an uneasy feeling about the dealer's spanner man. :) --------- THANKS for sharing some of your Interceptor 650 maintenance tips and methods. :)

I installed rear peg relocators and lowered the hard panniers away from her legs and yet, my girlfriend would rather not ride pilion. So I offered to climb onto the V.I.P. section myself, but she also refuses to drive the bike. So, I guess it's a one-seater motorcycle, for me. --------- The only thing I've done to my suspension, is, hide the bronze coloured reservoirs on the rear by sticking tape on them. Finally, they almost disappeared from view altogether, when I fitted panniers. My improvement idea would be to get some shrouded shocks, for looks. But I would want them to be longer than stock, my legs are easily long enough. That would raise the rear, but allow for more suspension travel and hopefully a softer ride. I believe Hagon is one manufacturer that offers such. It's on my to-do-list but nowhere near the top. :) --------- Last time I looked, the potholes in Dorset and the Isle of Wight were maintained similarly to yours, in Bulgaria. Likewise for those "woodoof" waves in the braking areas. Like you, I left the U.K. and here, they patch holes relatively swiftly. Although I have yet to see who "they" are, it looks to me, like a bit of gravely bitumen shoveled into the hole until it's about level and then, it seems, repeated driving over those patches does the compressing. What a sight (!) but it effectively limits the depth of potholes to panholes. :) Besides, the actual tarmac used in the first place, seems to be fit for purpose, while, back in Blighty, the choice of whom to award the road maintenance contracts, was very much political... :( --------- Anyway, I seem to better understand bike suspension now and it didn't even feel like a lesson. THANKS ! :) On a purely theoretical basis, I wonder what your thoughts are on the volume of air in the forks? There must be a reason why the fork caps are not fitted with a valve each to pressurise the air within. Also, I wonder about the effect of modifying the air pressure / spring rate in the rear suspension? --------- Thanks for continuing to share your wisdom on motorcycles and the Interceptor 650 in particular! :)

I almost forgot after my post just below. Thanks to you and to Sue too for your advice here 🙂

Great video Ian and thank you for liking my Facebook video regarding the Fuel X kit for the Classic 500. I've just fitted a full de-cat Hitchcocks stainless steel exhaust kit too now and have put the demo video up for that on my Facebook page, along with a physical comparison with the stock exhaust if you're interested (I have no TH-cam channel). A really worthwhile upgrade mate. Not cheap and a bit of a faff to fit but well worth it. I think the Fuel X will help engine oil by richening the mixture and lowering temperatures. Great that Sue is doing the searches. Thanks to her. It would be nice to know who your Indian supplier is if that's ok and thank you for the oil advice. Very valuable mate.

First, I tried to improve my rear brake function by bleeding it, which was easy. Also easy, was rounding off the bleed-bolt head. :( Because it disn't seem to make much difference, I adjusted my rear brake lever. I kept turning that adjuster until the rear wheel noticeably began to bind and then backed the adjuster off a little, you know, until the wheel's turning seemed limited only by, I assume, the resistance of chain and sprockets. Anyway, our drive is a little gravely and ideal for the improved rear brake control. Happy days, I thought! About half an hour later, on an afternoon's ride, the bike seemed to be losing power. I stopped. Yep, the pads had been chafing and heating and expanding and chafing even more and expanding even more and getting even hotter etc... ... sizzle, steam and a locked wheel was the result. :( So, I waited for it to cool down. Then I carefully loosened off the rear brake adjuster. Carefully because I didn't want to scald my fingers. The rear brakes are now on my ever growing to-do-list. And to think I bought the bike to ride, not tinker with, hmm... :)

Interesting and informative and as an interceptor owner in a very hot Florida I will need to find the best oil to use in this market and I agree with you on India purchase for saving funds as I’ve already bought a few odds and ends and was well satisfied Regards from Florida

Thanks Ian, I got 5 filters on order from India to the UK, with postage £20. Would of cost £59 from hitchcocks 👍🏼

I'll swap your surging engine for my cylinder misfiring... ... no, not really. I don't understand either, so I might as well, continue in my already advanced trial and error journey! :) --------- About you being crazy enough to ride your motorcycle without a full leather suit, ideally airbag equipped, not forgetting gloves (!) and, of course, a full face helmet: Here, where I am, we have to wear at least an approved helmet and gloves to protect ourselves. From the police. Back in the UK, and I believe, also in Denmark, most three-wheeled scooters, with their two front wheels at a minimum distance (that I've forgotten) apart, are classified as 'tricycles', which allows riders with a license older than, I seem to remember, 2013, to choose if and what safety gear they wish to wear. So, I fondly remember being free to ride in normal outdoor attire and enjoy wind in the hair bliss. :) Having said that, I did once lowside a motorcycle and slid behind it on the tarmac afor a fair distance without acquiring a single blemish to my person, because of my leather boots, -trousers, -jacket, -gloves and full face helmet. The bike, however, was a total write off and my boots were no longer waterproof - most inconvenient! :) --------- Lucky you, that you like the stock footpeg position. I have yet to come across a non-cruiser that has adequate peg-to-seat distance for me. Happily, there seems to be a wide and varied choice of aftermarket stuff for the Interceptor 650, including relocating kits for footpegs and their controls. So, to relax my knee joints a little, I moved mine forward by about 10cm. Feels almost (!) cruise-esque comfortable. :) --------- Mainly to prevent stalling at idle, like at junctions, I fitted a Fuel-X Pro kit. It's compatible with Euro 5 bikes, which mine is. --------- Thanks for sharing your journey on your Interceptor 650. :)

I noticed that a few owners had complained of a soft rear brake, i bled mine (2000 miles from new) and loads of air came out and the brake was instantly solid. It has a good bite now when needed.

Wow, what a wonderfully warm summer, assuming the air's dry, there's a stiff breeze and one can relax with a cold one in the shade. :) Truth be told, where I am, it's about 10°C less and that's plenty for me. Now, to get rid of the biting flies and gnats and mozzies... :( --------- I agree with your choice of handlebar, it suits the Interceptor. To improve my comfort, I 've also been experimenting with various handlebars. Currently and similarly to yours, mine raises the grips and places them a little further apart. But I also bent them for more pullback, you know, to bring the grips closer to me, for an even more non-sporty, slow riding, upright position. I had to buy longer control cables. Unlike your rather tidy appearance, mine looks a bit messy. I might have to learn how to solder so that I can extend the electrical cables too. --------- As for the seat, I learned that I need width (!) more than increased cushion depth, because, a) I'm big'n'fat and b) : I bought the touring version. Then I got a similar cross-sausages stitching cover in brown with optional gel pad, from sahara seats in India, which fits nicely over the original seat. To my backside, they both feel the same now. I've gone back to the black sausages, for looks. With either of my seats, I begin to become aware of my backside after about forty minutes' riding, soon followed by an increasing urge for an armchair, or a break. That's not even a tank's worth of petrol. I now carry a folding chair in my panniers. :) My lesson has been, that I need to think less about roosting on a bicycle perch and more of, support for all of my butt in tractor seat style. :) --------- Thanks for sharing your Interceptor 650 experience. :)

After a few tanks of fuel you'll have a better idea of whats what. On my Orange Crush I had to bleed that terrible orange tinted brake fluid through replacing it with new DOT4, front and rear brakes are much improved. Real mods are up to your tastes, i went with a gauze air filter, booster plug & mufflers resulting in more smiles & much better sound. Are your throttle cables too tight? Treat it like a vintage bike and you won't be disappointed.

I wondered why HI-Flo were not doing a filter , i emailed them to ask if one was pending but got no reply.

In principle I agree with you, your idea is to lower the engine temperature so that the engine doesn't run so hard in extreme temperatures. This is of course possible by changing the viscosity. The old Harleys like the Shovelhead, Panhead etc. had a separate gearbox. Today's modern engines with integrated gearboxes therefore naturally require an oil that is optimal for the gearshift and also provides optimal lubrication for the engine under extreme loads. At the moment I am using the Scram Motul 5100 semi-synthetic, but I am only partially satisfied with it. I will try the following the next time I change the oil: MANNOL 4-stroke Powerbike 15W-50 engine oil 7832 API SN JASO MA/MA2 (sorry for my bad english)

I came across this video while watching your Interceptor 650 videos. I just read the comments and it appears that my thoughts differ. So, I apologise to anyone who may be offended by my thoughts and opinions: I would have preferred to hear your thoughts instead of music, ie a critical appraisal over advertising footage. The guerilla seems relatively affordable, for a new bike. What a pleasant sound, which reminds me of a monkey bike. Headlight looks good. Shame about the clocks being off centre, the mis-shapen silencer and number plate holding buttplug - yes, I know that the 'Grown Ups' require the registration positioned behind the rear wheel. I hope it's just the camera lens that gave me the impression of risky riding. Less than ideal road positioning and speed meant they failed to maintain adequate emergency braking distance at all times. I felt nervous watching them, even though I knew they'd come out unscathed this time. Finally, I was astounded to see one guerilla rider swerve towards- and then around a person stood by the open door of a parked car - at about 13 minutes and 28 seconds into the video. Seems to be marketed at the rider who fancies a spirited ride on the road rather than a race track. Thanks, but I'm too big for this machine and too old for such bravado! Right, back to learning about the Interceptor... :)

Must be same mould as you Ian, I have got filters and O ring gaskets from India, in stock and just recently got spare clutch and brake also throttle cables in, I don’t change my bikes these days, thanks for info tho, hope you n Sue are good Ted NW biker dude

Good interesting waffle🤔, Thank you😀

Some good points there Ian . The blackening of the oil that you mentioned is probably oxidation due to the high temps you encounter . My theory with modern motorcycle oils is that they are designed for water cooled engines and are compromised with the spikes in temps of an air cooled engine . Hence the "V twin " oils performing better. Another thing you might consider is a multigrade 60 weight oil . But they are a bit pricey . Oil discussions can get quite heated and we all have our own theories which cannot be proven , I don't have loyalty to any brand , I just use one of several quality brands when on sale and stockpile a few jugs. I also crossreference oil filters to find a cheaper alternative . Although if you want to maintain the warranty on an expensive new bike , you will have to use factory filters and provide receipts if you service the bike yourself .

Exact same oil is the one I use for sometime. Temperatures in Greece are the same if not higher(37+) and the clutch in my scram as well as my Benelli rcx is smooth when cold and grabby when it gets hot. I tried silkolene oil last time on the scram seems a bit better. I have a couple liters of belray 20-50 semi synthetic I am trying that next.

Hi agree with everything. I've had same clutch troubles someone put me onto morris oil. Good. Then cos I've got 5 bikes n no job. I've moved onto manol German ebay oil big 5 gallon drum. And hiflo filters. Result. Brilliant on all 5 bikes. Triumph was worst 1050 st. All good worth a try. 👍

8:14 sadly sir not being interested in politics won't affect the fact that every single aspect of your life is directly or indirectly affected by...... You guessed it politics, it's annoying but a fact 🤷🏻‍♂️

Thanks but the 'he says, I says' could be shortened a lot. Good info though.

Im a wagon driver in the UK, so well travelled. About 10 years ago local counsels stopped "topping" roads and started tar and chipping because its cheaper. They've been doing this year on year and now its started lifting in sheets. You can almost read the age of the road as the layers lift like rings on a tree. Its got to the point where the roads are no longer repairable, they need plaining back and properly resurfacing. We're now talking billions of pounds to fix a lack of maintenance issue.