My Classic 350 Motorcycle Diaries

[J.Ravi]

I returned to Chennai on 25/11 only to find Blue Bird refused to start after two months in hibernation. As usual, I resorted to kick-starting, but B Bird did not budge. Sometimes, the 'battery-weak' warning icon flashed. So, I did overnight charging with CTEK, which has become an essential tool for me nowadays. B Bird did not start even on the next day with the fully charged battery.

At that time I decided to seek external help as I was very tired of driving from Bangalore to Chennai. My first call was to the nearest RE authorized service centre with whom I got B Bird serviced many times. All the telephone numbers were either not existing or unresponsive. Their website too ceased to exist. When I searched RE website, that particular one was removed. Then, I called RE Company-owned service centre at OMR. I was requested to contact their RSA.

I called RSA of Royal Enfield for the first time using their toll-free number. The person on the other end was not at all friendly. He started explaining the terms and conditions, according to which, I had to pay ₹ 600 online after which the technician would arrive at the spot. He will 'try' to start the bike. If the bike did not start in spite of his best efforts, the amount would not be refunded...blah...blah. When I asked him, what next, he informed me that the bike will have to be taken to the nearest service centre after my paying ₹ 3,000 towards towing charge! At that time, I thanked him and disconnected the call. I think, it is better to call it RSH - Road Side Harassment - instead of RSA.

Then, I called gobumpr.com, whose rating was reportedly good. But, nobody responded. I called their WhatsApp number too unsuccessfully. After ten minutes or so, I got a call from them. When I explained the situation, that person, a lady, doubted if somebody could be sent on that day. However, she would try to send a technician the next day. She was more interested in my taking a service package rather than an emergency repair.

After all these futile attempts, I decided to do it myself instead seeking external help. I checked the cable connections for any loose or disconnected cable, the clutch, then the fuel pump, and the last, but not the least, the spark plug. I took out the primary spark plug, cleaned it and fitted it back. Voila! Blue Bird started at the very first self-start crank! I and wife rode it to the Marina Beach and Mylapore in the evening without any issues. Today morning, I rode it again to Marina Beach.

Blue Bird is back to its form.

 

[IJS]

I returned to Chennai on 25/11 only to find Blue Bird refused to start after two months in hibernation. As usual, I resorted to kick-starting, but B Bird did not budge. Sometimes, the 'battery-weak' warning icon flashed. So, I did overnight charging with CTEK, which has become an essential tool for me nowadays. B Bird did not start even on the next day with the fully charged battery.

At that time I decided to seek external help as I was very tired of driving from Bangalore to Chennai. My first call was to the nearest RE authorized service centre with whom I got B Bird serviced many times. All the telephone numbers were either not existing or unresponsive. Their website too ceased to exist. When I searched RE website, that particular one was removed. Then, I called RE Company-owned service centre at OMR. I was requested to contact their RSA.

I called RSA of Royal Enfield for the first time using their toll-free number. The person on the other end was not at all friendly. He started explaining the terms and conditions, according to which, I had to pay ₹ 600 online after which the technician would arrive at the spot. He will 'try' to start the bike. If the bike did not start in spite of his best efforts, the amount would not be refunded...blah...blah. When I asked him, what next, he informed me that the bike will have to be taken to the nearest service centre after my paying ₹ 3,000 towards towing charge! At that time, I thanked him and disconnected the call. I think, it is better to call it RSH - Road Side Harassment - instead of RSA.

Then, I called gobumpr.com, whose rating was reportedly good. But, nobody responded. I called their WhatsApp number too unsuccessfully. After ten minutes or so, I got a call from them. When I explained the situation, that person, a lady, doubted if somebody could be sent on that day. However, she would try to send a technician the next day. She was more interested in my taking a service package rather than an emergency repair.

After all these futile attempts, I decided to do it myself instead seeking external help. I checked the cable connections for any loose or disconnected cable, the clutch, then the fuel pump, and the last, but not the least, the spark plug. I took out the primary spark plug, cleaned it and fitted it back. Voila! Blue Bird started at the very first self-start crank! I and wife rode it to the Marina Beach and Mylapore in the evening without any issues. Today morning, I rode it again to Marina Beach.

Blue Bird is back to its form.

Ha ha ha nice read sir. DIY works the best.

Sent from my RMX1851 using Tapatalk

 

[kprasad]

RSH - Road Side Harassment - instead of RSA

Right choice of words. Your DIY method duly noted.

I had a peculiar thing in my TB500. Battery low charge symbol came in my bike last week. Bike didn't start but got started by kicker. Reached home first by kicker start and then took out battery and charged it in local Exide shop. After fitting battery, the weak battery in MID + no electric start issue surfaced again after riding for 10-15 KM. I sensed that the battery is not getting charged while bike is running. Informed RE service personnel to look into this aspect. The service adviser post diagnosis called me and said that RR fuse is going kaput and hence battery was not getting charged on the move. Changed the fuse. Now bike is running good.
BTW did you change your battery to a new one? If so what rating, brand you've replaced?

Any views on this ?
Few have replaced 12V 14/12aH (stock rating) to 12V 9aH battery for TB500/ Classic/B500 (even Himalayan comes with lower rating now)? Many claim that they aren't facing problem. I'm considering the same to get rid of Exide and switch over to Amaron MF in my TB500. 9Ah is easily available, cheap and does the job too.

 

[J.Ravi]

Ha ha ha nice read sir.

Thanks, IJS.

BTW did you change your battery to a new one? If so what rating, brand you've replaced?

Yes. Got it replaced under warranty too. The details are here.

I'm considering the same to get rid of Exide and switch over to Amaron MF in my TB500. 9Ah is easily available, cheap and does the job too.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will also do it for the next replacement. Let me experiment. Even my son's Interceptor 650 has 12Ah battery only. None other than Thunderbird 500 has 14Ah battery, which has become scarce to procure. Exide has the monopoly in 14 Ah category.

 

[kprasad]

Let me experiment

Do let me know and even I will keep an eye on this sir.
There's a saying in tamil " Raja veettu kannukutti " (A calf in King's place). TB500 is indeed one ! So if it demands due attention it needs to be given. It ain't genuine RE if it doesn't have electric/battery/wire problem.

 

[J.Ravi]

Today, I received the Royal Enfield Touring Boots Mid Rise Black from amazon.in, costing ₹ 6,500. This is my first pair of lace-less, zip/velcro closure type riding boots, which I wanted to buy since a long time. They are very comfortable to wear and light-weight. Entry into and exit from the boots are very easy and quick. I went for a big round on my son's Interceptor 650 wearing the new boots and found it easy for shifting the gears. So, they should be much more easier on my Thunderbird 500 too with toe-and-heel-pushing gear lever. I found them comfortable with the semi-forward position of Interceptor 650. So, upright position in my Thunderbird 500 should be more comfortable.

 

[J.Ravi]

I am personally using brite o and autosol.

Thank you so much for suggesting Autosol, @IJS. There was a stubborn rubber stain on my son's Interceptor 650. In the past, I tried in vain several Indian and foreign stuffs - ranging from Waxpol to rubbing compound/clay to vinyl cleaner - to get rid of that. But, it didn't budge. I used to have a great work out due to those unfruitful exercises. After seeing IJS's recommendation, yesterday I ordered Autosol from amazon and got it delivered today. I tried it in the afternoon. The stain has gone without any trace after 4 trials in about 45 minutes.

 

[J.Ravi]

Blue Bird underwent the twelfth service at RE OMR Company Service Station, Chennai on 20/02/2020 at about 35 k km after one year and eight months from the previous service. For the first time, the chain was replaced as I heard the sound frequently, when it hit the pad below. The outgoing chain served me for 35 k km and I didn't face any problem apart from the annoying sound in spite of being in the maximum adjustable position. Since the sprockets were good - and the service station did not have them in their stock - I did not get them replaced. The new engine oil used this time is Liquid Gun semi-synthetic. Some minor complaints like front brake light switch not working, etc. were attended to. I handed over the bird at 9:30 am and got it back at 1:30 pm.

The next two days were spent in polishing the bird using Autosol for the metallic surface and Waxpol for the painted surface in many sessions, each of half-hour. Now, Blue Bird has become Shining Bird!

 

[IJS]

Blue Bird underwent the twelfth service at RE OMR Company Service Station, Chennai on 20/02/2020 at about 35 k km after one year and eight months from the previous service. For the first time, the chain was replaced as I heard the sound frequently, when it hit the pad below. The outgoing chain served me for 35 k km and I didn't face any problem apart from the annoying sound in spite of being in the maximum adjustable position. Since the sprockets were good - and the service station did not have them in their stock - I did not get them replaced. The new engine oil used this time is Liquid Gun semi-synthetic. Some minor complaints like front brake light switch not working, etc. were attended to. I handed over the bird at 9:30 am and got it back at 1:30 pm.

The next two days were spent in polishing the bird using Autosol for the metallic surface and Waxpol for the painted surface in many sessions, each of half-hour. Now, Blue Bird has become Shining Bird!

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Nicely done sir , your efforts with Autosol is clearly visible. And one more thing u can also buff the engine casing with Autosol if the previous factory buff is dirty and dull.
People use buffing pad on a drill machine with Autosol.

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[suvnkr]

Hi, Blue Bird , Congratulations! looking cute.