[Richard230]

Apparently they just don't grease bearings in India like they used to.....   

At least RE seems to have switched to tapered roller bearing in the Interceptor models.

[Arschloch]

I don't like to bitch about my favorite brand that aspires market leadership however the headstock bearings in the 535 GT didn't even have ground races. It looks like it fell of the lathe and maybe it was hardened. 

Apparently they got it under control in the 650. 

[gizzo]

You're right, they don't stink of quality like a Honda part does. OTOH they're 6 years and 45,000 km old, have been in the rain a bit as well.  And I've never had it apart for regreasing, just adjusted them when they come loose.

Interesting about the 650 having tapered bearings. I wonder if they'll fit? I'll ask the guy at the Enfields dealer when I call. He won't know.

 The Hitchcock kit looks good, like a machined adapter to accept easily sourced bearings.  Looks like something you could make at home but that size billet won't fit in my little lathe.

[gizzo]

the headstock bearings in the 535 GT didn't even have ground races.

Have you replaced yours then? What with and where'd you get them?

TIA

[gizzo]

So I visited the Enfield dealer to see if the 650 bearings will fit. ID and OD are spot on but the headstock needs a lip on the inside to locate the cup. The lip on the 535 is integral with the bearing itself,  the headstock is just a plain tube. So,  no go without stripping and welding. That's not going to happen so I'll be buying the Hitchcock conversion. Hi Dan.

[Arschloch]

Have you replaced yours then? What with and where'd you get them?

TIA

Nope, i didn't replace them because they seem to work ok so far with only 20k+ on the meter. Just replaced the bottom tripple clamp at this time with an aluminum billet, that saved about 2kg.

[gizzo]

Nope, i didn't replace them because they seem to work ok so far with only 20k+ on the meter. Just replaced the bottom tripple clamp at this time with an aluminum billet, that saved about 2kg.

Man, that bottom clamp is a tank, right? did the billet one come with stem attached?

[Arschloch]

Man, that bottom clamp is a tank, right? did the billet one come with stem attached?

Yeah, cast iron.  ...Yes, HMC sell it as a set of both clamps plus stem. I've made my own bottom clamp because I didn't feel like paying for both when the upper already is aloy. Than it was not possible to push the stem out of the bottom clamp.  If I remember correctly it was welded together, which is why I had to make a stem too.

[gizzo]

You're right, the stem is welded. Your is an interference fit with a wire snap ring?

You could have removed the stem by grinding the weld off.  But making a new one, no harm in that, either. Nice work.

[Arschloch]

Ya, a slight press fit to make the assy in the headstock easier without the stem falling out during the process. No snapp rings, just a little collar on the bottom end of the stem. Snapp ring might be a good idea though if you find a tube in the correct dia.

[motopike]

Delogo'ed my clutch cover

[motopike]

VM34 carb and 3D printed bellmouth and UFO insert

[jez]

You got that dialled in, and if so, can you share the jetting spec?

[gizzo]

Tidy.

Because I'm too lazy to go looking, when you do a carb conversion is the injector left hooked up and tied away somewhere or is there some device that tricks the ECU into thinking it's there?

[motopike]

You got that dialled in, and if so, can you share the jetting spec?

I ran the bike last year with the VM34 fitted and just made a different bellmouth and tuned the motor. Im pretty sure I was on a 210 main jet but will check. IVe just made a UFO insert for the base slide and fitted a very small pilot jet. It really helps the motor pick up really quickly out of corners. Its a tip my brother gave me as he races a Gold Star and uses the same carb type. The UFO basically makes the VM more like a flat slide as it smooths the air flow at the bottom of the slide, increases vacuum (hence the smller pilot jet) and gives a better intake shape at full throttle.
I plan to dyno the bike now the mods are done, and lockdown is easing so will share any interesitng results!