Returning To Motorcycling And Thinking of Royal Enfield

[Shavuotis]

Hello Everyone:  I am about to return to motorcycling after a 15 year absence from it.  I really want a Royal Enfield C5 in Desert Tan or OD Green.  I am not what you would call a mechanic.  But I want a bike I can service and work on myself.  I don't want to have to pay someone $$$$ per hour to do work and service I can do at home.  My question is this:  Are RE's easy to work on at home or do you need a mechanics degree.  I have owned several motorcycles in the past, one suzuki, two Kawasaki's, and a Honda.  I never did anything more than adjust the tappets on my Honda and change front end bearings on my Kawasaki.  Is an RE too much for a returning newbie?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks 

[squire]

In my opinion it is an easy bike to work on. I can't recall how many bikes I've owned but this is one of the easiest to work on, the only exception may be some of the UJMs from the seventies.

[GlennF]

Regular service on a UCE bike like the C5 should normally consist of:
- adjust and lube the chain (10 minutes max)
- change engine oil and oil filter (30 minutes)
- check and tighten where necessary all important nuts and bolts including the spokes . (10 minutes)

[wildbill]

i think you will do it easy. my last bike was in 73 and i do all my own work on this one.
also great lot of blokes here - always willing to help with good advise.
buy the bike - you can't go wrong.

[gremlin]

The tasks are simple, however, the skill required to do them is higher than anticipated.

example = stripped threads.

the RE uses a relatively soft aluminum casting for the engine, therefore, they use fine pitch threads to reduce the amount of torque required to properly clamp surfaces.

what does this mean to a tool noobie ?

It means :: stripped threads.

when you are tightening any of the fine thread screws on the bike you *MUST* use care not to overtighten.

[palace15]

Get a UCE that has a kickstart !!

[Shavuotis]

Thanks for all the input guys.  I really appreciate it.  Three more questions:  Have any new problems surfaced with the new UCE  EFI motors?   What tools would I need to do all the service and repair work on the bike?  I want to be able to learn with this bike and do any required work aside of specialty work like repairs that would require machining.   

[Arizoni]

As was mentioned, there is very little to do on the new UCE powered bikes.

You will probably want to get a complete set of metric wrenches and sockets because the RE nuts and bolts are made to the European standard.
Hex sizes like 13mm aren't common on the Japanese bikes but I've found several on my RE.

Although they are adequate for the job, some of the Indian steel fasteners aren't the greatest thing around and in many places the steel fastener/plug screws directly into cast aluminum.
Because of this I highly recommend buying a good torque wrench if you don't already have one.

The only machining I've had to do is to modify some of the aftermarket parts I've installed.
Apparently the idea of precision tolerancing and fit hasn't made it into the designs of some of these and I have yet to install something that didn't need a hole enlarged or elongated with a rat tail file to fit.

[Ice]

Hi Shavuotis and welcome aboard.

Thanks for all the input guys.  I really appreciate it.  Three more questions:  Have any new problems surfaced with the new UCE  EFI motors? 

There was a recall in 2009 for a transmission problem but that was addressed and none have given trouble.

What tools would I need to do all the service and repair work on the bike?  I want to be able to learn with this bike and do any required work aside of specialty work like repairs that would require machining.   

Like the brothers said a decent set of euro-metric tools, nothing extravagant.  You probably have the rest of the stuff I.E. drain pans, tire pressure gauge etc.

[Ducati Scotty]

And we promise not to tell your wife when you buy new tools you "need" that you really don't need

Aside from the usual wrenches, etc., this forum will be the most important tool you have.

Scott

[mattsz]

If you're expanding your stock of metric tools, you might want to consider adding the rear axle socket sizes needed to adjust the chain, which you'll be doing occasionally with the OEM one.  I don't recall the socket sizes - I don't have the sockets!  I've been using a big adjustable wrench and it's a PITA.  They're posted around here somewhere, or maybe somebody knows off the top of their head and can chime in...

[barenekd]

Harbor Freight has a 3/4" socket set that goes from 19mm to 50mm for about $25. that will give you a socket to fit any of the large nuts on the Enfield, from Brake backing plate nuts to countershaft sprocket nuts. It includes a looong ratchet, a breaker bar and extensions. It's well worth the money.
Just don't get a hernia toting it around!
Bare

[Ducati Scotty]

Does 50mm cover the large nut for the front sprocket?

Scott

[barenekd]

Yes, I think it's a 45 or 46MM. I forget now, but it's why I bought the set!
It would cost that much just to get the one socket from Sears or some other tool shop.
Bare

[Ducati Scotty]

Just what I was thinking!

[mattsz]

I guess you guys now know what's on my Christmas list...

[singhg5]

Yes, I think it's a 45 or 46MM.
Bare

You have a good memory - the large nut for front sprocket is 46 mm.  Even a slightly larger socket 48 mm (1&7/8") can be used to unscrew the nut. 

[Shavuotis]

Once again, thanks for the input guys.  Are there any things I need to add to a new RE to increase the reliability and performance of the new UCE RE's?  Wonderful bunch of guys here.   

[Arizoni]

Some of the wiring harness may be exposed to sharp metal edges so it pays to protect it.
This is especially true in the side box which contains a lot of the relays and fuses.

In several places I found that short lengths of rubber or vinyl tubing could be slit from end to end and slipped over the wires to protect them. (See photo below)

Also make sure the wires that are running back to the tail light assembly are snugly hooked into the tabs that keep them off of the rear wheel.

If you use the search feature you should be able to find other posts that will tell you how to get your headlight switch to work (DOE mandated that it should be always on), the best spark plug to replace the crummy Bosch that comes with the bike and dozens of other improvements we commonly make.