Bling #3!
 

Finally getting out and about and getting some stuff done around recent obstacles (another freaking trip to the Pokey. Grrrrrr..... As some know, 2LZ ain't the healthiest Bandito on CR).
ANYWAY!

1- Got the Grip Puppies mounted. The stock grips are minuscule.
2- Bar risers. LOVE THEM!
3- Royal Enfield Fly screen! It's a super nice piece.

More headway....but man, I'm REALLY waiting for it to warm up out here. Possibly more snow Tuesday. WTH?

Anyway, The matte tank really needed some help, in my eyes. Again, never been a matte finish guy but again, I couldn't pass up the deal. Soooo....I got some door trim, lined the bottom seam on the tank, rubber Brit Flag knee pads, and a leather tank strap! To me, it really helped the overall appearance and broke up the "blah".
Also added a small rear rack for a bag I already have in stock.

Between yesterday and today, I think I'm done.

Yesterday added the black "small" engine guards. Thought they'd look better than the chrome with the dark motif. Also added a skid plate and the Powerage Shorty slip-on exhaust, and DNA air filter kit (included filter and retainer) and ditched the restrictive snorkel. The Powerage Shorty's are far lighter, smaller, but not that much louder with the baffles. Nice light rumble at idle, and not obnoxious when you jump on it. Happy with that.

Today, I took off the rear rack. I'll keep it for later use when I need it. It just looks much cleaner without it. After all, the bike is Roadster, not a touring machine.

Then this afternoon, the Trip Machine Wingman side bags showed up to replace the glossy, thoroughly un-matching. side covers. Very happy with the quality and appearance of them. I thought they blended the matte tank with the rest of the bike quite well. Oh....and my neighbor checked. They hold more than they look. He got five full beer cans in each side! ;-)

Now if it would warm up so I can ride the dang thing!

I do have to say one thing about the Royal Enfield. I'm not sure if it's the factory, or the dealer I bought it from, or both, but this is the very first bike I've bought where the "dealer prep/uncrate/setup" was perfect. Other than personal adjustments, I went over this bike bumper to bumper, and not one single adjustment was needed. I've never had that happen before. The chain was adjusted to perfection and the rear wheel measured out perfectly straight. Tire pressures were right on. Every cable and lever was adjusted to perfect spec.......and the tank was brimmed full. Really weird. I always find something. Not this time.

She's looking pretty good. :tup: Put on them big boy panties and get out and ride it. :hehe: I know the feeling, The day I got my KPX it must of rain just about everyday for two months. Hope you get to ride soon before your wife puts you in a straight jacket. lol

I was eyeballing a couple of Continental GT rigs that the local Ural/RE dealer has in stock. If I wasn't staring at some expensive dirt work coming up...

With our canyons here, the Conti GT would be a blast.
I was able to put on about 40 miles yesterday. Still trying to get it to the 300 mile break in service. I'm about half way there now, thanks to the weather. More riding today.

I can tell you this cheesy, I've NEVER ridden such a nice shifting bike. Best transmission I've ever used...and it's still new. Also, it's no HP monster @ 47....but the torque delivery is virtual perfection. From low on up in a graceful curve. The bike is a true pleasure to ride. So far, I'm really lovin it.

There are things to do, of course. I scoured the internet on "issues" to be addressed out of the box. Apparently, RE uses GOBS of white grease on the four relays behind the side cover. I guess it monsoons annually in India. Some folks say it's the grease, some say the stock relays are junk, most don't. Apparently, there have been scant reports of new bike cutting out because of this. So, being a good China Rider, as soon as I got it home, I cleaned out all the white grease (there was a s--tload) and replaced the stock four relays with Bosch units, along with dielectric grease. I now have the stock relays in back stock, just in case. Total cost for the Bosch relays delivered was 24.00. Cheap and no more possible worries. So far, that's the only thing I've heard of.

Being a China Rider, it's amazing to hear what other folks make such a big deal about. So far, this thing has been cake to wrench on. Nothing's hidden. You should at least take the Continental GT for a test ride!

I took an Interceptor 650 on a test ride a couple years ago. Except for the location of the rear brake pedal, it brought a smile to my face. It was comparable to the Maggot in ride and handling, yet with 3 less HP and an extra 150cc, it still had some impressive stones.

Even tho the Maggot is pushing 45 years old, it is paid for.:shrug:

Congrats! Like what you've done with it so far. I also installed Powerage cans on my '20 INT nearly 2 years ago. Slimmer, lighter (8.95 lbs. lighter for the pair) and lets the engine run cooler. Almost 6000 miles now and no issues save for rusted throttle cables after the first winter. Still love it!

Good to hear! I'm looking forward to a great riding season. In the meantime, my right index finger keeps clicking on things for it. I have to stop that.....

Back Stock Bling
 

Cleaning the bike up of stickers and reflectors, the axles looked naked, unfinished. I got bored and started digging through old boxes of parts of "bikes-gone-by" and remembered I had some chrome caps somewhere from Mrs. 2LZ old Sportster. Found 'em!

Not sure yet. Think I'll leave them on for a while and see if they grow on me.

Is that out at Colinga?

Interceptor is looking good!
I ended up with the Tec 2-into-1 exhaust. Cuts nearly 30 pounds off the bike and sounds pretty sweet. Definitely made a difference in how well it flicks around.

I highly recommend the Tec or (I think) hitchcocks fuel booster plug. It really helped smooth the throttle response out.
If the throttle was an on/off light switch before it’s very smooth and linear now.
The DNA filter kit also helps it breathe quite a bit better.

The range? Ione. Sac Shooting Club. She's a member.

I was really looking at the Tec 2 exhaust but ended up getting the PoweRage. I wanted to stick to the "Norton-ish" look of the two pipes. Really happy with them.

I'm curious about the fuel booster plug, though I don't have any complaints about the throttle response. It's not flicky.

Very happy with the RE. What a great bang for the buck. Looking to sell my DRZ to a neighbor and pick up a Scram 411 for the gravel and dirt roads here.