Royal Enfield Rainy Season Tips Royal Enfield Rainy Season Tips

Royal Enfield Rainy Season Tips

FORK AND STEERING:
 
The fork oil, as required can be changed once before the monsoons and once afterwards. The usual market fork oil is 10w30 which is too thin for the bullet forks. I mean the your forks will work super smooth but every time your bike goes in and out of a pothole or through bumps at speeds there will be a loud “khatt” noise which is very irritating and to some, fear inducing. 

Some mechanics use engine oil mixed with grease and some use thicker oil.

I use engine oil and 90w gear oil mixed in equal proportions. It works better, though the shock absorbing is a bit hard but the forks do not bottom out.

For the steering, nobody is going to go through the trouble of dismantling the whole assembly, but if you have the time to do it then nothing better than that.

Remove the full assembly including the front forks and all; remove the t, the steering cones and the bearing balls. Wash everything in petrol or kerosene to remove the usual muck from it and dry it. Check if the cones need replacing. If there r small indentations in them and your steering has been acting funny…like being hard to turn and all, change them. You’ll also get new bearing balls in the set. If the cones are ok, fit them back. Use the same balls if they r in good condition, if not get them from any cycle wallah. They cost 10 bucks for a packet of 100 balls. The size is 1/4th inch. Pack the cones full of grease, put the balls in, and pack some more grease on it….while sliding the t in use lots of grease on it too…fit everything back. 

While fitting the forks, be sure to apply some grease, a very thin layer to the part that stays exposed to the weather and fit everything back.
That will take care of the forks and the steering.

BRAKES:
 
Drum brakes, especially the front ones have a tendency to lock during the monsoons. This usually happens because of the rust buildup in the cams that operate the brakes and the brake cables. Since the brake cable is changed, that possibility can be eliminated and the main culprits will be the cams. Open the hub and dismantle the full brake setup along with the liners. If the liners are worn, replace them. Be sure to get them shaped according to the shape of the drum for efficient braking. The riveted liners are a good option. And also anl brand liners are pretty good and long-lasting. 

be sure to polish the inside of the drum and the liner surface with either 80 or 120 number emery paper to roughen it out a little and add more bite to braking. Clean the cams in petrol or any solvent and add a thin layer of grease and fit them again. Assemble the whole setup and adjust brake as per your previous setting. 

I prefer my front brake a little on the fading side in the rains. Sudden braking may make the bike skid and cause injury to both the rider and the bike. Use the front brake only to slow down and the rear brake for final braking. Do the same cleaning things with the rear brake also. While you are at it check the wheel bearings for play or damage. Even if they appear ok be sure to pack them with grease and put new oil seals wherever necessary. Also check the rear sprocket bearings and the shape of the sprocket teeth.