Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Twin & Continental Gt 650 Twin Revealed

Eoin Christie

Ol'Timer
Jul 16, 2019
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At least you have time to thoroughly clean it now. I bet there's still some Laotian mud stuffed up in a few hard to reach places!
There’s plenty in easy to reach places, too. I’m saving that job for a rainy day, but then it rains...
 
Sep 13, 2010
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Any update on the Interceptor, Marmite? Is it back together? Is the new suspension dialled in?

Well...

I was getting used to it as it settled, but the saddle was a bit hard so I took it back to get some gel pads added under the leather.

I had also noticed some powdercoat coming off one of the wheel rims, so that needed doing too.

I went to collect her last week and the rear indicators were lose, had two mild steel, rusty washers added and the powdercoat on the tail unit was scratched up. I told them to fix it properly.

Here we go... : unamused:
 

Eoin Christie

Ol'Timer
Jul 16, 2019
448
300
63
Well...

I was getting used to it as it settled, but the saddle was a bit hard so I took it back to get some gel pads added under the leather.

I had also noticed some powdercoat coming off one of the wheel rims, so that needed doing too.

I went to collect her last week and the rear indicators were lose, had two mild steel, rusty washers added and the powdercoat on the tail unit was scratched up. I told them to fix it properly.

Here we go... : unamused:
All just growing pains to get where you want her to be, Marmite.
 

Eoin Christie

Ol'Timer
Jul 16, 2019
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300
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At least it made me take out the FJR last week after neglecting her for a few months. Took a while to get used to the bonkers power, especially as I was still half asleep.
Any progress on the suspension, Marmite? It is the one area I want to improve (well, the main area I want to improve...).
 
Sep 13, 2010
82
64
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Any progress on the suspension, Marmite? It is the one area I want to improve (well, the main area I want to improve...).

I took the old girl out today (and the Enfield) and have the following thoughts.

The mods to the suspension have made the bike hugely more controlled, but pretty stiff. Ideally, I'd like to be in the middle ground somewhere, but at least my spine doesn't try to shoot up through my skull when I hit a large bump now.

The bike is a joy around corners though. It feels like its lost half its weight.

I think its a worthwhile upgrade, but it really needs dialling in to get the best out of it.
 

Eoin Christie

Ol'Timer
Jul 16, 2019
448
300
63
Thanks for the update, Marmite. It may take a while to settle in.

It is definitely the area that most calls out for improvement on the Interceptor, so worht investing in that dialling in. It sounds like you've made good progress already. Please keep us (me, at least) updated.
 
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Oct 17, 2006
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What brand shocks did u fit ?? did you do any fork mods
In UK IKON and M Shock Factory seem best for the Enfield unless one waste lots of money on Ohlins
 
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Sep 19, 2006
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www.chiangmai-xcentre.com
What brand shocks did u fit ?? did you do any fork mods
In UK IKON and M Shock Factory seem best for the Enfield unless one waste lots of money on Ohlins
Both YSS and Ohlins have cartridge front Forks and shocks available here for them to my knowledge? I would never call Ohlins a waste of Money and they aren't so expensive now they have a Factory in Thailand.
 
Sep 13, 2010
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What brand shocks did u fit ?? did you do any fork mods
In UK IKON and M Shock Factory seem best for the Enfield unless one waste lots of money on Ohlins

I wasted my money on YSS front inserts and Ohlins rear shocks.
 

Eoin Christie

Ol'Timer
Jul 16, 2019
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I’m hankering for YSS both ends. I’m finding myself “floating like a butterfly” over bumps and potholes, so that I don’t get “stung by a bee” [apologies to Mr Ali]. The stock suspension ain’t what it should be.
 
Sep 13, 2010
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I’m hankering for YSS both ends. I’m finding myself “floating like a butterfly” over bumps and potholes, so that I don’t get “stung by a bee” [apologies to Mr Ali]. The stock suspension ain’t what it should be.

Go for it.

They come with 20w oil (or so it claims). I think this is too heavy and would use 15w or even 10w.
 
Oct 17, 2006
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Marmite I have rear Ohlins on 2 of my Ducatis but I love Mshock too,,also using Mshock on the HD

Ohlins are superb except for price and poor fork seals in their forks
 

Eoin Christie

Ol'Timer
Jul 16, 2019
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300
63
I ended up fitting YSS both ends at K-Speed in Surat Thani on my way back to Malaysia on my last trip in November. A massive difference, helped in part by one of the original shocks having lost all of its oil. Had to cut off the front support of my rear rack to allow for movement of the remote reservoir (last minute discovery on a time-constrained ride South), but all was good. Crappy phone photo:

IMG_3051.jpg
 
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