@@jessherbst810 I think TMF made it pretty clear they were TEC shocks.... I for one was not suggesting he goes crying to anyone. I was suggesting a solution to his problem.
The lack of use is the reason it happened. The Orings on the shocks are self-lubricating. When you don't use the bike, they can't self-lubricate and fail. Regardless of brand or quality of shock you would still face similar issues on a bike that gets little to no use over extended periods. In saying that, TEC don't have a stellar reputation for quality so early life failure of the seals was probably a little faster than usual.
I’ve been licensed to ride since 1967 (yeah old coot here), so I’ve experienced plenty of common and weird failures on my different rides. Don’t ever remember having a rear oil dampened shock let go though, clearly not the end of the world and an easy fix. As an aside back in the 1969/1972 time one of my rides was a 1965 interceptor. Loved the power and torque and character of the bike, but it was abused when I got it, my father and I got it to a decent point but it was a bit of work to keep it tip top, locktite was a good friend for sure. I got seduced by the easy maintenance of the metric bikes and moved in the direction. Two years ago I bought a 2019 interceptor (slightly used), and have to say that at this point of my riding life that it’s the most enjoyable ride I’ve had in some time. 😎🍺🇨🇦
If one shocker is leaking the other one may start to leak as-well . I would always replace both shockers you can get a imbalance between the two which will cause serious handling problems. It’s false economy if it causes you a Accident
I think I'm on my own here looking at the comments, but for me any bike with an oil leak near a tyre isn't leaving the garage till it's fixed! Enjoyable video as always thanks
@@crispindry2815 ...I left that in because I thought it was quite funny - I actually thought the Enfield had a dipstick that's why I looked in there first expecting to extract a dipstick (as I own several bikes I can never remember which ones have dipsticks and which have inspection windows!). I got there in the end, I was the dispstick! Thanks for watching....
A trick i use to identify tricky leaks on newer bikes ( as fluids are generally new & similar colour, oil, shock oil, brake fluid) is to tape some kitchen roll around the bottom of each suspect item ( shock, shock resevoir, brake cylinder, brake resevoir etc) and leave. The leak becomes evident as it shows up soaking 1 piece of kitchen roll pee yellow! 🙂
I do something similar, but quicker. Just wiping round every suspect component with a bit of bog roll or kitchen roll. Any leak will soon be evident if you check the material after each wipe.
I think I'd just stick the OG shocks on it for now. It'll just mean that the bike is available if you fancy a spin on it (before deciding if you'll get new shocks or if you've to wait for delivery).
Hopefully you cleaned excess oil off rear tyre on your pre flight check,definitely don’t use until rear shocks (both) are changed as no more oil should appear as the contents have already been dumped out. Stay safe Andy.
I’m surprised people are so quick to dismiss the RE. You’ve spent a great deal of effort (and heartache) getting her sorted. In the grand scheme of thing swap out the shocks, job done!
Hagons are good, I've had them on 3 bikes over the years and they will build them to suit your specific weight and riding style etc so they can be tuned to your requirements. I have also heard good things about YSS shocks too but haven't tried them. If the TEC shocks are under warranty they may be able to replace or repair them and given you have a a successful bike channel, they might be worth a call in the first instance. Great upload as always 👍
@@TheMissendenFlyer a friend of mine in the bike trade swears by their monoshocks as a great option for the price. I'm going to seriously consider them next time I need a monoshock. I'm also seriously thinking of getting an interceptor and YSS are high on the consideration list if I get one. I'm not sure but I think they will build to suit specifics too, which would be useful as I am north of 20 stone! If not it will be Hagons.
Love Hagons . They make them to suit your weight. They make them in Essex. Would make a good episode. Critical of chinese products. You had a little go at me afew years ago about that .
And the shock is made in..? I have never, in my 40 years of riding, heard of an oil leaking shockabsorber. Not in those quantities. Put the OEM ones on again. Probably for the best. Enjoy the spring! Thank you mr Flyer!
Not sure if you do this but when storing bikes for a long time make sure you put in fuel that has no ethanol in it and fill the tank to the brim (no space for water vapour to collect and condense). I usually add a fuel stabilizer also but I'm in Canada and we have at least 4 months when riding a motorcycle could be considered extremely risky.
@@davidsandilands1285 E5 is better than E10 for sure and for just a few weeks is probably okay but I'm in Canada where our bikes are off the road for pretty well 4 months so fuel with no ethanol is way better - it can be hard to find but there are some no ethanol fuels out there (Shell V-Power - super unleaded - being one of them . . . at least in Canada).
@@karlosh9286 If you can be bothered, there are kits that enable you to take almost all the ethanol out of these stupid modern fuels. Perhaps too much hassle for most but for those with older machines, or those who don't do many miles, it might be worth looking into.
Been riding 51 years and never ever experienced a shock failing through lack of use , I've just recommissioned a 2000 SV650 that had been stood for three years and the shock is fine . Considering the oil is all over the rear wheel first thing I'd have looked at is the shock as it looked too thick to be brake fluid, and as you said Andy you could see the reservoir showed no loss , as for checking engine oil level looking through the sight glass is the obvious place , you can't see the oil level looking through the filler hole generally all you'll see is the clutch basket blocking your view . As has been stated it's not an Enfield failing it's the poor quality shock manufacturing. Happy to say I've had my Interceptor three years now and no issues at all , it isn't my main bike but it's done 9,000 miles and going fine. Ever thought of attending a mechanics course seeing as you say you're not very good at sussing technical stuff and you own a good collection of bikes? Just a thought ? 😉
Hi Missenden Flyer as you have bikes that are laid up often, even if just for a few weeks, use super unleaded fuel. I say this for the simple reason that Super Unleaded contains 5% ethanol at the most but is likely to contain none. This means less chance of water contamination or fuel separation associated with higher ethanol content. Keep up the brilliant content btw :)
Hi TMF, for the RE I’d go back to the OEM shocks for now. I had a shock leak on a bike before and you’ll find it will start to pogo and get worse. as other have said try a warranty route. For the duke hunting issue, could be fuel, air, or sensor, probably someone on the pani forums will have experienced similar issue. Good luck with resolving both….
I just took my Honda CBF600s (2006) out after 6 months, and it lives in a cold shed with just a battery tender, and it was spot on, you cannot beat quality....
Oil in shocks is for damping and doesn’t affect the spring rate. It will effect the ‘bouncy-nes’ of the rear. I had a seal go on an Ohlins shock once, just a fault on a seal which is always made more likely with under use. Try spraying a small amount of silicon on the shiney slider parts of your shocks and forks to avoid stiction when not using them regularly.
I’d be heading straight back to Tec. You do so few miles, it’s a manufacturing defect for sure (unless the builder buggered it up) and I’d have thought they would want to avoid bad press…
Love to have that selection of bikes in the garage, just the one at present, has been ridden over the winter, the lawnmower had its first outing since October, it started on first pull 😅 You can replace the seals on the suspension, great if you can do it yourself, if you need a mechanic though, probably less labour to get a new one.
Here I am looking at first world problems of a fellow rider because there is a freaking blizzard outside and I'm glued to the sofa..lol! Happy riding y'all! (Looking forward to Spring).
That Ducati most likely wants some fresh petrol and a damn good thrashing. A friend of mine worked at a bike dealer that had a rolling road. They had a guy come in with a Hyabusa complaining that it ran rough. It checked out fine. The owner was asked if he used the performance…..”Oh yes, 80mph!” They told the owner to nip down the road and get a pub lunch while they had another look. They put it on the rolling road and firewalled it. Apparently it popped and banged and threw out loads of smoke until it finally cleared and then ran like a dream. When the owner came back he was absolutely thrilled. Asked what they’d done to fix it…..”fine adjustments”.
Hi Andy. The idle issue on the Ducati seems quite similar to one I had on the Thunderbird. It turned out to be a throttle sensor that needed replacing. It kept fluctuating and couldn't remain consistent. They replaced it and it's been great since. Hope you get it sorted. G.
Really enjoyed this and glad none of the other bikes had an issue. Get a new shock and then put more miles on the Enfield! Out for the first time yesterday on the Scrambler 1200 xe after a few winter mods and delighted it didn't miss a beat. Love this sunny slightly warmer weather!
If you want a similar look but something decent. YSS all the way. I had Tec on a thruxton a while ago and ended up changing them out. Had one total failure (snapped)… next set had oil loss like yours and got right out of sorts on a back road 2 up.
I'm not sure I want that type again, they weren't any better than the stock ones other than they were in black (and only lasted for a few hundred miles)! Good excuse for an upgrade.....
Thanks Mr. Flyer. At least you had a lovely time riding all those bikes! The oil leaking onto the tyre would make me very cautious to take the bike for a spin, so happy to see you were ok. I'd recommend removing the "shock" in question and placing it on some kitchen paper (or similar) on the bench for a few days or so then replacing it if it leaks again. As an owner of several 2-stroke bikes over the years I always check the spark plugs when a low mileage bike runs a little "off" The petrol shouldn't cause that unless it's years old imho :>)
Should be easy enough to source a quality replacement pair of shocks. Think oil on the rear tyre would make me nervous in the first corners. I'm guessing you had a good clean-up.
My Panagalie was terrible at misses and rumbles at low rpm and in first gear, until I put the race kit on it, with a new ECU, exhaust, high flow air filter and airbox mods, and race cams - no more issues after all that work and expense. Then I sold the bike a week later.
I'd get a set of YSS shocks. They are available in different colours aswell, to satisfy the decorum 😅 On decent suspension it shouldn't be crashy anyway..
Sorry to hear about the issues. Make sure to give the rear brake disc a good clean. I would also take off the rear caliper and check that the rear pads arent covered in oil.
I would definitely get it looked at asap TMF as I would personally be very concerned it would leak oil on to the tyre when you're riding it & before you know it you're off. Or it just lets go in a big way with the same result . Looks like it's time for a new shock! I've seen Hagon mentioned a few times & I agree, good choice & value.
They are just trying to give you the authentic experience of owning a British bike from the 60's. It just wouldn't be realistic if it didn't leak all over your garage floor 🙂
Bad luck, Andy! I’d put the OE shocks back on, so you can ride the RE at anytime. Then consider upgrading to Hagon shocks. You’ll notice a big leap in quality and ride quality. Good luck!!
@TheMissendenFlyer I think you will find the Hagon shocks to be far superior in every way. I have them on my T100 Bonneville and my son has them on his Enfield Interceptor. Ride quality is superb, especially when teamed up with Hagon fork springs.
I didn't get on my Speed Twin for 5 months ! Got dragged out a few times over the winter to run the engine . Went out on it yesterday. All seemed fine ! Tyres hardly needed any air in them ! As for the Interceptor shock. As far as I know , if it's an oil leak , well I can't think of anything more than brake fluid, shock fluid or engine oil. So it must one of them. You checked the engine oil and brake fluid levels, it really must be the shock fluid. I'm not an expert, If I had to guess , a rubber seal / o-ring type thing. They must (might ?) come apart, they were screwed together at some point. If it was me, I'd put the original shocks back on, and then attempt to take the suspect ones apart and have a look. Might be something simple. Or if they're young enough , just send them back ! It might be a really slow leak. Under normal circumstances, moving it around you might not notice it. Leave it for 5 months, and it's had a lot longer to leak in one spot and be noticeable. I guess my main concern on riding the Interceptor would be if the oil had leaked onto the rear brakes, I don't guess it'd be good for the tyre too , but you still have the main front brake !
As many commentators here have already suggested that you swap out the shocks, I can only add to that. The seal in the nitrogen reservoir has given up the ghost, and let the oil out. I have re-built many shocks myself, but I have a fully equipped workshop and know my way around hydraulics. Not somethig a non-technical person should attempt, as there can be very high gas pressure in the reservoir, beware!!! I have no idea what a qualified technitian would charge you to re-build those shocks (do both at the same time), or what the replacement cost will be. Might not even be worth the effort to fix them. If you were close to me, you could just pop them off and come over for a brew, and I could fix them in no time. But, Sweden is a bit far away from Missenden...
TEC Bike Parts’ shocks have a very poor reputation. I’ve read/heard many horror stories. If I were you, I’d go for some Hagon’s, YSS, or better yet, Öhlins😊
Andy .... A late response here swap out the original oem shocks to prevent the Enfield becoming even more of a money pit ! The obvious issue is a failed shock seal thats possibly presented itself sooner than later given they are inverted and pressurised keep up the great work with the channel Kind Regards CC
I have some YSS shocks on my Interceptor, front and back, both adjustable. They make a world of difference on the handling. Check them out I would say. Uncle Stew has some nice vid's on them. Btw, rear shocks are really easy to swap yourself. Front is more difficult.
When take of shocks be better have person to help as bit weight on seat might help get new shock to right postion to fit back on and removal on centre stand unloaded id thought
Hi Andy, back in the mists of time I got rear ended on my RD250. It bent one of the shocks like a banana! After getting it written off by the insurance Co, I rode it to a local bike breakers, bought a 2nd had shock and fitted it by the side of the road, took the old one back into the breakers and got them to put it in their bin! Went on to ride the bike successfully till it eventually seized up. Think you need to speak to RE about your problem though…. Ps, love the Goldwing!
Here's a sure way to alleviate the problem with little to no effort. Leave the bike out front overnight with the keys in the ignition. Problem solved. :)
Assuming it is just the shock, you don't have to worry about any causing any damage. If you are going to ride it like that, be aware that the handling might be affected slightly, but it won't be anything major. I would replace both rear shocks with gold colored non reservoir shocks. Those reservoir shocks look like they belong on a dirt bike. As for the oil level, it is supposed to be checked with the engine cold, or at least after letting it sit for several minutes after being run, so the oil can drain back down into the crankcase. The oil level should be even with the top of the sight glass. Oil level is fine. I really like the looks of that bike, but the tube type tires make it practically worthless to me. Now that there are cast wheels available for the Interceptor, I would get a set of those, and have them painted or powder coated gold, so you can run tubeless tires, and not have to deal with being stranded beside the road somewhere and having to call a tow truck. On the Ducati, if you left ethanol fuel in it, the injectors are probably partly plugged up. Run it close to empty, put fresh fuel in it, along with some injector cleaner. Ethanol plays hell with fuel systems, especially if it sits for a while.
Hello Missenden Flyer, if the seals are available then rebuild the shock. Perhaps replace the fluid in both to get a balanced oil level. Whatever you choose to do will be right.
How very authentic for a retro bike to have an oil leak, and don’t forget back in the day REs were often called Real Oilfields with good reason, so its all perfectly in character. Its just marking its territory! It didn’t feel too bad because even if it is supposedly an aftermarket “upgrade” its fairly basic suspension on a fairly basic bike. Its not exactly cutting edge race spec like your Panigale or hi-tech sophisticated electronic touring kit like the Wing!
Don’t ignore the shock absorber problem, get someone to check it out. Not only will a shock absorber problem mean that the RE won’t handle properly you don’t want oil leaking onto your trap tyre and back brake.
@@TheMissendenFlyer I would need to get it fixed if it was mine. There was too much mess to ignore. It would be a simple temporary job to fit the old shocks while you argue with the manufacturer about not fit for purpose goods. 🙂
Absolutely nothing wrong with the stock suspension on my Kawasaki W800, perfectly suited to the ride and style of the bike, but you pays your money and takes your choice.
@@ricatiman what the W800? Have you ridden one? The newer version from 2020 onwards? Its really not as bad as reported in the media. Besides the 360° firing order is the most true to classic 70’s British bikes as you can get. So expect some character and connection with the bike and the sound you get isn’t the same as bikes like the RE or Triumph with their 270° twins.
For best performance from your fuel, use tesco momentum 99, which is also E5. (5% ethanol). It’s ethanol which causes fuelling issues when vehicles are left for longer periods, so less ethanol the better. Tesco’s 99 fuel is also proven to be a very stable fuel for ecu maps to deal with, so best performance is assured. And no-one should use fuel stabiliser additives, they cause more problems that solve.
All motorcycles like to be ridden regularly. I feel for the 899, the fuelling is telling you this. A tank of E5 and 100 miles of spirited riding will probably sort it out......
Your ducati sounds like it's got dirty fuel or something gunged up. Had the same with my old ZXR9 had to clean the carbs & coils. What i'd do is just give everything a clean carb or fuel injectors give those a good clean.Then also give your sparks a clean while you're there might aswell. In my case that fixed the rough idling issues. Just the fuel wasn't burning as it should or wasn't able to get into a fine mist.
Yes he's a great fella - I'm not really after a replacement though I fancy an upgrade - I have some hagons on order, looking forward to trying them out and seeing what the handling is like....
Dat pointing device!!! From now on I would demand (!) that every RUclipsr shall have such a pointer if he or she intends to point out anything of interest. Lovin' it! I am just lovin' it!!!!
So, a PPL holder goes out to his little plane and shock horror, notices a pool of liquid underneath its wheels. "I know", he says, "I'll just give it a little fly around and see if I can work out what's wrong" good grief.
@@TheMissendenFlyer regardless of your "small print", riding a bike with a known fault on the roads is stupid. God forbid you lost control and killed someones child walking along the path. You're an "influencer" (you shil loads of crp) so perhaps should at least pretend to be responsible and not hide behind the small print like a petulant child. You should read the thread on well known adv forum regards this video.
Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it, but one of the best things to use on oil spills is cat litter, as for the suspension, stick to better makes my friend ;)
Very happy to have your channel recommended. I left Prestwood in 1979 aged 8 years old and I'm now in Auckland, NZ. Pretty sure Matilda's used to be the Chinese restaurant we used to go. Anyway, I'm here prompted by YT as I'm scratching my head on replacing my SR400 and also wanting to know what that jacket you've got is.
Actually It was a florist next to a chinese - the chinese is now a Costa Coffee next to Matildas (which I have never set foot in out of respect for Matildas!).......
Andy, why do you check the oil when hot? If the engine is short of oil and you start it up you'll get a false reading as oil will be dispersed throughout the engine, always a cold engine as upright and level as possible
If it is outside of warranty, I would recommend sending it to T-Tech suspension based just outside Biggin Hill. He recently sorted a problem I had on my Aprillia Caponord. I have no other connection with this one man band, but he knows his onions and is dirt cheap for the service he offers. My guess is you will need new seals.
The TEC shocks I put on my Enfield did the same thing the first time I rode with them on, but it was just a few drops. I wiped them down and have never seen it do it again.
Hello Andy, I’m playing catch up with your videos, so I’m watching this one 5 months after the fact. I’m 67 now and have been riding bikes since the late 60s. Thanks to my Dad (ex-RR apprentice) I’ve been maintaining all my vehicles since that time. I’ve also maintained or managed maintenance on commercial aircraft for over 50 years. I’m guessing the Royal Enfield rear shock oil leak is repaired by now. From my perspective and seeing you have a stable of bikes, I probably would not have ridden the Enfield. With my luck the suspect seal would have completely failed, dumped oil over the tyre and the rest would be history 😢. Thankfully, you had good luck and the bike drove quite well. Hopefully, the vendor provided you with a pair of new shocks. For the Ducati miss-fire, contaminated petrol could well be the issue. I spend a few more cents for the gas I put in my Goldwing, all previous bikes, boat outboard engines, mowers, chainsaws and all IC engine tools, by using non-ethanol gas. I started doing this several years ago as I experienced several issues in the spring when trying to start various equipment. This resulted in me removing, dismantling the carburetors, cleaning, rebuilding with new seal kits and reinstalling. They’d run good all season, but the following spring, I was back to rebuilding carburetors. Non-Ethanol definitely prevents gumming up fuel systems, especially the injectors with EFI engines we all use today. All the Best, James.
It looks like your garage is overcrowded 😋. Last year the oil seals of both front shock absorbers were damaged. Some dried insect parts were the cause. Something similar visible on the floor then, only a bit less than you have. New seals, new oil and a lot of labor costs. Suzuki’s are indestructible bikes. I haven’t ridden my bike for the whole winter until now. Cold, snow and lots of rain. This week dry weather but still quite cold.
On the Ducati - that sounds very much like old fuel. It really doesn't need to sit very long these days for it to go off. Random missing, fluffy bottom end and a feeling like it won't really ride properly until the rpms are up are all signs. It affects more sporty bikes more because higher compression relies on better fuel. It also affects larger cylinders more since any missfire will be more noticable. Same goes for more cylinder pressure so more cam lift/duration will also add to the effect. The 899 is pretty much the perfect bike aside from a 1299 to notice it on. A couple of tanks of fresh stuff should get it sorted. On the RE - if the shock has gone so soon and so catastrophically that points to a manufacturing defect. I would either ask for a replacement/repair or if you've lost faith in them just go to someone like Maxton or any decent specialist who can rebuild and adjust them to suit you're riding, weight and the bike. If you get the forks done at the same time it will completely transform the ride. It makes more difference on more basic bikes than on top drawer stuff so for me that RE would be the perfect thing to go for a full build on.
@@TheMissendenFlyer No problem mate. Hagon are a good bet. Not too expensive and very decent. I've had a few from them over the years and never had any poor quality or any faults. It should ride noticably better with them on, too - especially when you're on low grip or roads with ridge type bumps. They react much better to multiple little bumps than standard shocks on cheaper bikes.
Get some decent shocks on that bike, it deserves better. Go Nitron R1s, you won't regret it. I have them on my interceptor and they are the best shocks I have ever riden on. 👍😎
On the Enfield, as others have said, get it repaired or replaced. You don't want more oil on your tyres, also it might be an MOT fail? On the Ducati (never had one), it might be just lack if use. A mate had a Honda Hornet that he didn't use much, engine sounded rough; I suggested a good long ride and to get a tank or two of fuel through it. He did that and it was as good as new, no more rough engine.
Seems to me like the oil seal in the shock has perished or been pinched on assembly maybe. Its upto you really. Either get a replacement, or get a new pair.
I have never understood the point of upside down suspension systems. From the Bantam D1 to the fastest new sports bikes it always looks an illogical way of creating a serious weakness. It's like putting the tiles on your roof the wrong way up. Your Enfield shocks demonstrate my point.
Given the lack of use I think I'd be looking into a warranty claim on a failed shocker
@Kevin Crockett To be honest I don't think I'd even bother, I think I'd be on the phone to Hagon.
Except they are not Royal Enfield shocks, they are aftermarket, so don’t go crying to Royal Enfield
A failed shocker sounds like it could be either disappointing or painful.
@@jessherbst810 I think TMF made it pretty clear they were TEC shocks.... I for one was not suggesting he goes crying to anyone. I was suggesting a solution to his problem.
The lack of use is the reason it happened. The Orings on the shocks are self-lubricating. When you don't use the bike, they can't self-lubricate and fail. Regardless of brand or quality of shock you would still face similar issues on a bike that gets little to no use over extended periods. In saying that, TEC don't have a stellar reputation for quality so early life failure of the seals was probably a little faster than usual.
I’ve been licensed to ride since 1967 (yeah old coot here), so I’ve experienced plenty of common and weird failures on my different rides. Don’t ever remember having a rear oil dampened shock let go though, clearly not the end of the world and an easy fix. As an aside back in the 1969/1972 time one of my rides was a 1965 interceptor. Loved the power and torque and character of the bike, but it was abused when I got it, my father and I got it to a decent point but it was a bit of work to keep it tip top, locktite was a good friend for sure. I got seduced by the easy maintenance of the metric bikes and moved in the direction. Two years ago I bought a 2019 interceptor (slightly used), and have to say that at this point of my riding life that it’s the most enjoyable ride I’ve had in some time. 😎🍺🇨🇦
Same I dont every recall a rear shock leaking.
If one shocker is leaking the other one may start to leak as-well . I would always replace both shockers you can get a imbalance between the two which will cause serious handling problems. It’s false economy if it causes you a Accident
I think I'm on my own here looking at the comments, but for me any bike with an oil leak near a tyre isn't leaving the garage till it's fixed! Enjoyable video as always thanks
@@crispindry2815 ...I left that in because I thought it was quite funny - I actually thought the Enfield had a dipstick that's why I looked in there first expecting to extract a dipstick (as I own several bikes I can never remember which ones have dipsticks and which have inspection windows!). I got there in the end, I was the dispstick! Thanks for watching....
It's Indian. We ride it in flip flops and a lungi with no maintenance. Don't be such a woosee 😂
A trick i use to identify tricky leaks on newer bikes ( as fluids are generally new & similar colour, oil, shock oil, brake fluid) is to tape some kitchen roll around the bottom of each suspect item ( shock, shock resevoir, brake cylinder, brake resevoir etc) and leave. The leak becomes evident as it shows up soaking 1 piece of kitchen roll pee yellow! 🙂
Nice idea.
Nice one. Thanks.
I do something similar, but quicker.
Just wiping round every suspect component with a bit of bog roll or kitchen roll.
Any leak will soon be evident if you check the material after each wipe.
If it's an issue with a TEC-shock, contact the blokes and they will fix it within 2 days. Best customer service ever.
I think I'd just stick the OG shocks on it for now. It'll just mean that the bike is available if you fancy a spin on it (before deciding if you'll get new shocks or if you've to wait for delivery).
Hopefully you cleaned excess oil off rear tyre on your pre flight check,definitely don’t use until rear shocks (both) are changed as no more oil should appear as the contents have already been dumped out.
Stay safe Andy.
I’m surprised people are so quick to dismiss the RE. You’ve spent a great deal of effort (and heartache) getting her sorted. In the grand scheme of thing swap out the shocks, job done!
Yes that is likely what I'll do....
Getting it "sorted"? Ruined imo 😆
What had to be sorted out?
silk purse/sows ear = RE. best cut your losses
@@chewitt6426 He put aftermarket shocks on the motorcycle.
Hagons are good, I've had them on 3 bikes over the years and they will build them to suit your specific weight and riding style etc so they can be tuned to your requirements. I have also heard good things about YSS shocks too but haven't tried them. If the TEC shocks are under warranty they may be able to replace or repair them and given you have a a successful bike channel, they might be worth a call in the first instance. Great upload as always 👍
Cheers Michael....
@@TheMissendenFlyer you're welcome Andy, all the best with whatever you do with them 👍
Just looked up the YSS ones - I can get a pair for less than £400 so may go that route....
@@TheMissendenFlyer a friend of mine in the bike trade swears by their monoshocks as a great option for the price. I'm going to seriously consider them next time I need a monoshock. I'm also seriously thinking of getting an interceptor and YSS are high on the consideration list if I get one. I'm not sure but I think they will build to suit specifics too, which would be useful as I am north of 20 stone! If not it will be Hagons.
Love Hagons . They make them to suit your weight.
They make them in Essex.
Would make a good episode.
Critical of chinese products.
You had a little go at me afew years ago about that .
And the shock is made in..? I have never, in my 40 years of riding, heard of an oil leaking shockabsorber. Not in those quantities. Put the OEM ones on again. Probably for the best.
Enjoy the spring! Thank you mr Flyer!
Not sure if you do this but when storing bikes for a long time make sure you put in fuel that has no ethanol in it and fill the tank to the brim (no space for water vapour to collect and condense). I usually add a fuel stabilizer also but I'm in Canada and we have at least 4 months when riding a motorcycle could be considered extremely risky.
Just use E5, especially if you don’t ride for a few weeks
@@WhyteZone I suspect all the bikes use F.I in place of carbs
@@davidsandilands1285 E5 is better than E10 for sure and for just a few weeks is probably okay but I'm in Canada where our bikes are off the road for pretty well 4 months so fuel with no ethanol is way better - it can be hard to find but there are some no ethanol fuels out there (Shell V-Power - super unleaded - being one of them . . . at least in Canada).
We've got E10 now mainly in the UK ! So it's fuel stabiliser time. Can get E5 from some places.
@@karlosh9286 If you can be bothered, there are kits that enable you to take almost all the ethanol out of these stupid modern fuels. Perhaps too much hassle for most but for those with older machines, or those who don't do many miles, it might be worth looking into.
Wouldn’t recommend checking the oil level when the bike is hot….it needs time to return to the sump and should be checked cold 👍
Been riding 51 years and never ever experienced a shock failing through lack of use , I've just recommissioned a 2000 SV650 that had been stood for three years and the shock is fine .
Considering the oil is all over the rear wheel first thing I'd have looked at is the shock as it looked too thick to be brake fluid, and as you said Andy you could see the reservoir showed no loss , as for checking engine oil level looking through the sight glass is the obvious place , you can't see the oil level looking through the filler hole generally all you'll see is the clutch basket blocking your view .
As has been stated it's not an Enfield failing it's the poor quality shock manufacturing.
Happy to say I've had my Interceptor three years now and no issues at all , it isn't my main bike but it's done 9,000 miles and going fine.
Ever thought of attending a mechanics course seeing as you say you're not very good at sussing technical stuff and you own a good collection of bikes? Just a thought ? 😉
I'd rather leave it to the experts and just enjoy riding....
Hi Missenden Flyer as you have bikes that are laid up often, even if just for a few weeks, use super unleaded fuel. I say this for the simple reason that Super Unleaded contains 5% ethanol at the most but is likely to contain none. This means less chance of water contamination or fuel separation associated with higher ethanol content. Keep up the brilliant content btw :)
Apparently ESSO super unleaded doesn't contain any ethanol or so I'm told, I always use super unleaded fuel in both my bikes
Ethanol is hydroscopic... it attracts water.
Hi TMF, for the RE I’d go back to the OEM shocks for now. I had a shock leak on a bike before and you’ll find it will start to pogo and get worse. as other have said try a warranty route. For the duke hunting issue, could be fuel, air, or sensor, probably someone on the pani forums will have experienced similar issue. Good luck with resolving both….
I just took my Honda CBF600s (2006) out after 6 months, and it lives in a cold shed with just a battery tender, and it was spot on, you cannot beat quality....
Oil in shocks is for damping and doesn’t affect the spring rate. It will effect the ‘bouncy-nes’ of the rear. I had a seal go on an Ohlins shock once, just a fault on a seal which is always made more likely with under use. Try spraying a small amount of silicon on the shiney slider parts of your shocks and forks to avoid stiction when not using them regularly.
Youre very lucky having all those bikes. I love that goldwing which is a lot coming from a guy that now only rides an MT-10. Great video BTW.
I’d be heading straight back to Tec. You do so few miles, it’s a manufacturing defect for sure (unless the builder buggered it up) and I’d have thought they would want to avoid bad press…
@Andy Nichols It's a bit late for 'avoiding bad press' IMO 🙂 It's 'weed' oil everywhere while it's been stood on the sidestand.
It's not an OEM shock, but after market that failed, per his explanation! So not a RE issue, but the after market shock manufacturer....
I've just ordered myself some Hagon's!! 2 weeks to make up and they're set up for my weight. Looking forward to trying them!
@@TheMissendenFlyer You could jump on the gs and ride down to pick them up. That would make some good content if you can get a look around hagon
Built to your weight, what a great marketing ploy. 97% will have the same spring.
That bike has been a very expensive headache from the minute you decided to customise it 😉
All part of the fun of owning bikes!
Ducati probably doesn’t like the older fuel and the Enfield could do with a set of hagons 😁 but I’m no expert 😜
I've just ordered myself some Hagon shocks for the bike....
Love to have that selection of bikes in the garage, just the one at present, has been ridden over the winter, the lawnmower had its first outing since October, it started on first pull 😅
You can replace the seals on the suspension, great if you can do it yourself, if you need a mechanic though, probably less labour to get a new one.
I thought that the 899 being ridden was nothing more than an urban legend.
My father used to tell me bedtime stories about it when I was a small boy.
It’s as close to a myth as reality can be!
I’m no mechanic but I’m not sure what oil you expected to see looking in to the top of an engine case.
Here I am looking at first world problems of a fellow rider because there is a freaking blizzard outside and I'm glued to the sofa..lol! Happy riding y'all! (Looking forward to Spring).
Andy, I would give Tec Bike Parts a miss and go straight to Hagon. After fitting them to my 865 T100 the handling and ride have improved no end.
I will do just that…
That Ducati most likely wants some fresh petrol and a damn good thrashing.
A friend of mine worked at a bike dealer that had a rolling road. They had a guy come in with a Hyabusa complaining that it ran rough. It checked out fine. The owner was asked if he used the performance…..”Oh yes, 80mph!”
They told the owner to nip down the road and get a pub lunch while they had another look. They put it on the rolling road and firewalled it. Apparently it popped and banged and threw out loads of smoke until it finally cleared and then ran like a dream. When the owner came back he was absolutely thrilled. Asked what they’d done to fix it…..”fine adjustments”.
Cool!
Hi Andy.
The idle issue on the Ducati seems quite similar to one I had on the Thunderbird.
It turned out to be a throttle sensor that needed replacing.
It kept fluctuating and couldn't remain consistent.
They replaced it and it's been great since.
Hope you get it sorted.
G.
Other than dry sump engines, I believe most engines can be inspected for oil level when cold.
Indeed - my bad….
Really enjoyed this and glad none of the other bikes had an issue. Get a new shock and then put more miles on the Enfield! Out for the first time yesterday on the Scrambler 1200 xe after a few winter mods and delighted it didn't miss a beat. Love this sunny slightly warmer weather!
If you want a similar look but something decent. YSS all the way. I had Tec on a thruxton a while ago and ended up changing them out. Had one total failure (snapped)… next set had oil loss like yours and got right out of sorts on a back road 2 up.
Yes I like the look of the YSS ones I must say - good price too....
Shocks: You've not had them long have you? I'd swap both shocks for the originals, and send them back to TEC for replacement. Simples!
Hopefully you can get the RE sorted out fairly easily. You might find the shocks are still under warranty
I doubt it - they are over a year old....
I thought enfield had a three year warranty. If not Sale of goods Act should do it.Richard Cottingham
They are not RE but 3rd party (TEC)
@@TheMissendenFlyer I have the same ones and now I'm worried...
Contact the shock supplier. If they gave you a goodwill replacement it would be good publicity compared to what the situation is now.
I'm not sure I want that type again, they weren't any better than the stock ones other than they were in black (and only lasted for a few hundred miles)! Good excuse for an upgrade.....
Thanks Mr. Flyer. At least you had a lovely time riding all those bikes! The oil leaking onto the tyre would make me very cautious to take the bike for a spin, so happy to see you were ok. I'd recommend removing the "shock" in question and placing it on some kitchen paper (or similar) on the bench for a few days or so then replacing it if it leaks again. As an owner of several 2-stroke bikes over the years I always check the spark plugs when a low mileage bike runs a little "off" The petrol shouldn't cause that unless it's years old imho :>)
Should be easy enough to source a quality replacement pair of shocks. Think oil on the rear tyre would make me nervous in the first corners. I'm guessing you had a good clean-up.
OFC....
My Panagalie was terrible at misses and rumbles at low rpm and in first gear, until I put the race kit on it, with a new ECU, exhaust, high flow air filter and airbox mods, and race cams - no more issues after all that work and expense. Then I sold the bike a week later.
Keep being yourself TMF, it’s what makes your channel so great 😉👍
Thank you, I will! Appreciate the kind words…
❤️ the little hand ‘pointy pointy’ !
Hooray! The pointy stick is out again.
Did you miss it?
Loving the pointer stick 😂
I'd get a set of YSS shocks. They are available in different colours aswell, to satisfy the decorum 😅 On decent suspension it shouldn't be crashy anyway..
Sorry to hear about the issues. Make sure to give the rear brake disc a good clean. I would also take off the rear caliper and check that the rear pads arent covered in oil.
Thanks, will do!
I would definitely get it looked at asap TMF as I would personally be very concerned it would leak oil on to the tyre when you're riding it & before you know it you're off. Or it just lets go in a big way with the same result . Looks like it's time for a new shock! I've seen Hagon mentioned a few times & I agree, good choice & value.
Yes hagon or YSS seem the favourites....
@@TheMissendenFlyer I think YSS are Thai & Hagon British....I could be wrong but either way, both are decent good value alternatives.
Hagon wins then!
No question.... get some Hagons.
Very interesting, if you could only own one motorcycle, it would be the BMW GS. Thanks
Took me a few min, but I finally go the disclaimer to pause so I could read it. LOL. That is awesome ! have a great week.
Thanks, you too!
They are just trying to give you the authentic experience of owning a British bike from the 60's. It just wouldn't be realistic if it didn't leak all over your garage floor 🙂
Bad luck, Andy!
I’d put the OE shocks back on, so you can ride the RE at anytime. Then consider upgrading to Hagon shocks. You’ll notice a big leap in quality and ride quality.
Good luck!!
I've just ordered myself some Hagon shocks for the bike....
I think I would probably go for YSS Shocks rather then Tec if your going to replace them completely! Good video.
I've just ordered myself some Hagon's!
@TheMissendenFlyer I think you will find the Hagon shocks to be far superior in every way. I have them on my T100 Bonneville and my son has them on his Enfield Interceptor. Ride quality is superb, especially when teamed up with Hagon fork springs.
TEC shocks are cheapos get Yss or Hagon but Yss give you more control.
Have to say I was not surprised when you said tec. Personally finished with them. Good luck.
Like the yellow hand on a stick…..could annoy the wife with that….must get one 😂
Liking your thinking!
The garage videos are my favourite 👍🏻
...well it's not really a garage video....but glad to hear that anyway...
If the shock has gone after such little mileage, I wouldn’t be buying the same one again. Good excuse for an upgrade I’d say 👍🏻
Agreed 100%
I didn't get on my Speed Twin for 5 months ! Got dragged out a few times over the winter to run the engine . Went out on it yesterday. All seemed fine ! Tyres hardly needed any air in them !
As for the Interceptor shock. As far as I know , if it's an oil leak , well I can't think of anything more than brake fluid, shock fluid or engine oil. So it must one of them. You checked the engine oil and brake fluid levels, it really must be the shock fluid.
I'm not an expert, If I had to guess , a rubber seal / o-ring type thing. They must (might ?) come apart, they were screwed together at some point. If it was me, I'd put the original shocks back on, and then attempt to take the suspect ones apart and have a look. Might be something simple. Or if they're young enough , just send them back !
It might be a really slow leak. Under normal circumstances, moving it around you might not notice it. Leave it for 5 months, and it's had a lot longer to leak in one spot and be noticeable.
I guess my main concern on riding the Interceptor would be if the oil had leaked onto the rear brakes, I don't guess it'd be good for the tyre too , but you still have the main front brake !
I’ve ordered some custom made Hagon shocks for the bike….
Put some decent shocks on it. Not TEC!
Yes I think you may be right......
As many commentators here have already suggested that you swap out the shocks, I can only add to that.
The seal in the nitrogen reservoir has given up the ghost, and let the oil out.
I have re-built many shocks myself, but I have a fully equipped workshop and know my way around hydraulics.
Not somethig a non-technical person should attempt, as there can be very high gas pressure in the reservoir, beware!!!
I have no idea what a qualified technitian would charge you to re-build those shocks (do both at the same time), or what the replacement cost will be.
Might not even be worth the effort to fix them.
If you were close to me, you could just pop them off and come over for a brew, and I could fix them in no time. But, Sweden is a bit far away from Missenden...
What a bummer!! Time for an upgrade me thinks….
A new Pair of Hagon shocks will sort it out .
Yep, even more so as they are made in England.
Yes I must admit fitting something half decent is quite appealing as the handlig on the bike is a bit pants.....
Another vote for Hagon, love mine 😊
Had a pair on my Commando for near enough 30 years… I might change them at some point 😂
I concur! I had Hagon shocks on my old Bonnie transformed the handling had Tec parts didn't impress me much.
Ah Andy the yellow finger pointer, it was like a monty python sketch..
Yes I must get that out again soon!
TEC Bike Parts’ shocks have a very poor reputation. I’ve read/heard many horror stories. If I were you, I’d go for some Hagon’s, YSS, or better yet, Öhlins😊
Yes I think they were Tec (I'm not 100% sure but suspect that is the case) - Maybe hagon is the way to go, would likely improve the handling too.....
Andy .... A late response here swap out the original oem shocks to prevent the Enfield becoming even more of a money pit ! The obvious issue is a failed shock seal thats possibly presented itself sooner than later given they are inverted and pressurised keep up the great work with the channel Kind Regards CC
I have some YSS shocks on my Interceptor, front and back, both adjustable. They make a world of difference on the handling. Check them out I would say. Uncle Stew has some nice vid's on them. Btw, rear shocks are really easy to swap yourself. Front is more difficult.
Yes I reckon even I can replace rear shocks!
When take of shocks be better have person to help as bit weight on seat might help get new shock to right postion to fit back on and removal on centre stand unloaded id thought
Love your little pointer hand.
I used to have 5 bikes an downsized. Used to do my head in moving 4 to get one out.
Yes I do wonder if having one or two would make life easier!!
A pool of oil underneath a Royal Enfield! That's a genuine retro experience.
Hi Andy, back in the mists of time I got rear ended on my RD250. It bent one of the shocks like a banana! After getting it written off by the insurance Co, I rode it to a local bike breakers, bought a 2nd had shock and fitted it by the side of the road, took the old one back into the breakers and got them to put it in their bin! Went on to ride the bike successfully till it eventually seized up. Think you need to speak to RE about your problem though….
Ps, love the Goldwing!
It’s an after market shock so not an RE issue…I’ve ordered some custom made Hagon shocks for the bike….
Here's a sure way to alleviate the problem with little to no effort. Leave the bike out front overnight with the keys in the ignition. Problem solved. :)
An interesting solution!
@@TheMissendenFlyer Took me well over a minute to conjure up that plan. Nothing but quality!
Might take a couple of days :)
Assuming it is just the shock, you don't have to worry about any causing any damage. If you are going to ride it like that, be aware that the handling might be affected slightly, but it won't be anything major. I would replace both rear shocks with gold colored non reservoir shocks. Those reservoir shocks look like they belong on a dirt bike.
As for the oil level, it is supposed to be checked with the engine cold, or at least after letting it sit for several minutes after being run, so the oil can drain back down into the crankcase. The oil level should be even with the top of the sight glass. Oil level is fine.
I really like the looks of that bike, but the tube type tires make it practically worthless to me. Now that there are cast wheels available for the Interceptor, I would get a set of those, and have them painted or powder coated gold, so you can run tubeless tires, and not have to deal with being stranded beside the road somewhere and having to call a tow truck.
On the Ducati, if you left ethanol fuel in it, the injectors are probably partly plugged up. Run it close to empty, put fresh fuel in it, along with some injector cleaner. Ethanol plays hell with fuel systems, especially if it sits for a while.
I'd have left the RE as it was in the Baker Express trim, I thought it looked great with the initial subtle mods. The GS and Goldwing are superb.
I always bought it to get customised, so I did! Of course you're free to do what you like with yours too Colin!
Hello Missenden Flyer, if the seals are available then rebuild the shock. Perhaps replace the fluid in both to get a balanced oil level. Whatever you choose to do will be right.
Your Panigale really is a work of art.
It sure is!
I heard before you parked that RE up,you were doing 'Great Escape' jumps🤣🤣🤣
I wish!
How very authentic for a retro bike to have an oil leak, and don’t forget back in the day REs were often called Real Oilfields with good reason, so its all perfectly in character. Its just marking its territory!
It didn’t feel too bad because even if it is supposedly an aftermarket “upgrade” its fairly basic suspension on a fairly basic bike. Its not exactly cutting edge race spec like your Panigale or hi-tech sophisticated electronic touring kit like the Wing!
Don’t ignore the shock absorber problem, get someone to check it out. Not only will a shock absorber problem mean that the RE won’t handle properly you don’t want oil leaking onto your trap tyre and back brake.
Very true - I will get it sorted....
@@TheMissendenFlyer I would need to get it fixed if it was mine. There was too much mess to ignore. It would be a simple temporary job to fit the old shocks while you argue with the manufacturer about not fit for purpose goods. 🙂
I'm going to use it as an opportunity for an upgrade....
Absolutely nothing wrong with the stock suspension on my Kawasaki W800, perfectly suited to the ride and style of the bike, but you pays your money and takes your choice.
BUT That engine shakes harder than any other in the class!
@@ricatiman what the W800? Have you ridden one? The newer version from 2020 onwards? Its really not as bad as reported in the media. Besides the 360° firing order is the most true to classic 70’s British bikes as you can get. So expect some character and connection with the bike and the sound you get isn’t the same as bikes like the RE or Triumph with their 270° twins.
For best performance from your fuel, use tesco momentum 99, which is also E5. (5% ethanol). It’s ethanol which causes fuelling issues when vehicles are left for longer periods, so less ethanol the better. Tesco’s 99 fuel is also proven to be a very stable fuel for ecu maps to deal with, so best performance is assured. And no-one should use fuel stabiliser additives, they cause more problems that solve.
If you hang the Panigale off your living room wall as it is exquisite art you could fit another bike in the garage...win win
Now that isn't a bad idea!!
All motorcycles like to be ridden regularly. I feel for the 899, the fuelling is telling you this. A tank of E5 and 100 miles of spirited riding will probably sort it out......
Your ducati sounds like it's got dirty fuel or something gunged up. Had the same with my old ZXR9 had to clean the carbs & coils. What i'd do is just give everything a clean carb or fuel injectors give those a good clean.Then also give your sparks a clean while you're there might aswell. In my case that fixed the rough idling issues. Just the fuel wasn't burning as it should or wasn't able to get into a fine mist.
Andy, I had exactly the same problem with a tec shock on the bonnie when it had been stood a while. When I contacted them, George swapped it out.
Yes he's a great fella - I'm not really after a replacement though I fancy an upgrade - I have some hagons on order, looking forward to trying them out and seeing what the handling is like....
Hi Andy I counted 18 motor bikes jackets hanging on the rail ,can you let me know when you are having a garage sale , and always great content 👍👀
Dat pointing device!!!
From now on I would demand (!) that every RUclipsr shall have such a pointer if he or she intends to point out anything of interest.
Lovin' it! I am just lovin' it!!!!
Glad you are appreciating my props!
Hello my british friend we follow you joyfully from the Dominican Republic, keep up with the good reviews! 🤝🇩🇴
Awesome! Thank you!
So, a PPL holder goes out to his little plane and shock horror, notices a pool of liquid underneath its wheels.
"I know", he says, "I'll just give it a little fly around and see if I can work out what's wrong" good grief.
Thanks for that - see point 9 of my small print.....
@@TheMissendenFlyer regardless of your "small print", riding a bike with a known fault on the roads is stupid. God forbid you lost control and killed someones child walking along the path. You're an "influencer" (you shil loads of crp) so perhaps should at least pretend to be responsible and not hide behind the small print like a petulant child. You should read the thread on well known adv forum regards this video.
Great analogy, are you the person who helped saffy s with a problem? Forensic Engineer?
Be careful @DavidTowler you're in danger of falling foul of point 3 in the small print! :0)
Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it, but one of the best things to use on oil spills is cat litter, as for the suspension, stick to better makes my friend ;)
Very happy to have your channel recommended. I left Prestwood in 1979 aged 8 years old and I'm now in Auckland, NZ. Pretty sure Matilda's used to be the Chinese restaurant we used to go. Anyway, I'm here prompted by YT as I'm scratching my head on replacing my SR400 and also wanting to know what that jacket you've got is.
Actually It was a florist next to a chinese - the chinese is now a Costa Coffee next to Matildas (which I have never set foot in out of respect for Matildas!).......
Look for one of MFs garage gear videos. The jacket will probably be mentioned
@@TheMissendenFlyer One door out ,on an 8 year old's memory over 40+ years? I'll take that.
Andy, why do you check the oil when hot? If the engine is short of oil and you start it up you'll get a false reading as oil will be dispersed throughout the engine, always a cold engine as upright and level as possible
Yes my bad - schoolboy mistake!
If it is outside of warranty, I would recommend sending it to T-Tech suspension based just outside Biggin Hill. He recently sorted a problem I had on my Aprillia Caponord. I have no other connection with this one man band, but he knows his onions and is dirt cheap for the service he offers. My guess is you will need new seals.
I ordered a set of Hagon shocks yesterday for the bike...
The TEC shocks I put on my Enfield did the same thing the first time I rode with them on, but it was just a few drops. I wiped them down and have never seen it do it again.
Put a set of Ohlins on the back the gold will look good and it will improve the rear bounce
Nah - I think Hagon or YSS is the way to go for this bike....
Hello Andy, I’m playing catch up with your videos, so I’m watching this one 5 months after the fact. I’m 67 now and have been riding bikes since the late 60s. Thanks to my Dad (ex-RR apprentice) I’ve been maintaining all my vehicles since that time. I’ve also maintained or managed maintenance on commercial aircraft for over 50 years. I’m guessing the Royal Enfield rear shock oil leak is repaired by now. From my perspective and seeing you have a stable of bikes, I probably would not have ridden the Enfield. With my luck the suspect seal would have completely failed, dumped oil over the tyre and the rest would be history 😢. Thankfully, you had good luck and the bike drove quite well. Hopefully, the vendor provided you with a pair of new shocks. For the Ducati miss-fire, contaminated petrol could well be the issue. I spend a few more cents for the gas I put in my Goldwing, all previous bikes, boat outboard engines, mowers, chainsaws and all IC engine tools, by using non-ethanol gas. I started doing this several years ago as I experienced several issues in the spring when trying to start various equipment. This resulted in me removing, dismantling the carburetors, cleaning, rebuilding with new seal kits and reinstalling. They’d run good all season, but the following spring, I was back to rebuilding carburetors. Non-Ethanol definitely prevents gumming up fuel systems, especially the injectors with EFI engines we all use today. All the Best, James.
Thanks for watching James - better late than never!
It looks like your garage is overcrowded 😋.
Last year the oil seals of both front shock absorbers were damaged. Some dried insect parts were the cause.
Something similar visible on the floor then, only a bit less than you have.
New seals, new oil and a lot of labor costs.
Suzuki’s are indestructible bikes.
I haven’t ridden my bike for the whole winter until now. Cold, snow and lots of rain. This week dry weather but still quite cold.
That cafe will have to go on my list of places to visit on my TMF tour of Great Missenden. I love Wheelie Good TV, too. Seems like a great bloke.
Dave is a top fella!
On the Ducati - that sounds very much like old fuel. It really doesn't need to sit very long these days for it to go off. Random missing, fluffy bottom end and a feeling like it won't really ride properly until the rpms are up are all signs. It affects more sporty bikes more because higher compression relies on better fuel. It also affects larger cylinders more since any missfire will be more noticable. Same goes for more cylinder pressure so more cam lift/duration will also add to the effect. The 899 is pretty much the perfect bike aside from a 1299 to notice it on. A couple of tanks of fresh stuff should get it sorted.
On the RE - if the shock has gone so soon and so catastrophically that points to a manufacturing defect.
I would either ask for a replacement/repair or if you've lost faith in them just go to someone like Maxton or any decent specialist who can rebuild and adjust them to suit you're riding, weight and the bike.
If you get the forks done at the same time it will completely transform the ride. It makes more difference on more basic bikes than on top drawer stuff so for me that RE would be the perfect thing to go for a full build on.
Thanks for the advice - and yes, I have some Hagon shocks on order….
@@TheMissendenFlyer No problem mate. Hagon are a good bet. Not too expensive and very decent. I've had a few from them over the years and never had any poor quality or any faults. It should ride noticably better with them on, too - especially when you're on low grip or roads with ridge type bumps. They react much better to multiple little bumps than standard shocks on cheaper bikes.
You normally check the oil level through the site glass with the oil cold not warmed up 👍
Yes my bad....
I had to have a giggle when the little yellow pointer came out. Good investment. Aiden
Ha. I thought the same. Went straight to Amazon to price them. 🙂
Yes it's proving to be quite popular.....!
Yes, I've got on. They were given free to OAP's by the Fire Service to test your smoke alarms. Great bit of kit!! Is that how you got yours Andy? 😅
...actually it is!! :0) truthfully
I have a white board with all my bikes, and cars written on it, to let me know when I last used, and serviced them.
I have a spreadsheet!
Get some decent shocks on that bike, it deserves better.
Go Nitron R1s, you won't regret it. I have them on my interceptor and they are the best shocks I have ever riden on. 👍😎
On the Enfield, as others have said, get it repaired or replaced. You don't want more oil on your tyres, also it might be an MOT fail?
On the Ducati (never had one), it might be just lack if use. A mate had a Honda Hornet that he didn't use much, engine sounded rough; I suggested a good long ride and to get a tank or two of fuel through it. He did that and it was as good as new, no more rough engine.
Seems to me like the oil seal in the shock has perished or been pinched on assembly maybe. Its upto you really. Either get a replacement, or get a new pair.
Yes I may use it as an opportunity to upgrade.....
looking for oil through the top when there is a sight window in the crankcase..
You knowingly took a vehicle on the road with a dangerous fault on the suspension system which is an MOT fail and you think it's OK to do that?
Clearly I did - sorry if it upset you.
@@TheMissendenFlyer you didn't upset me but you make it appear to be fine to take an unsafe vehicle on the road.
Apologies.
I have never understood the point of upside down suspension systems. From the Bantam D1 to the fastest new sports bikes it always looks an illogical way of creating a serious weakness. It's like putting the tiles on your roof the wrong way up. Your Enfield shocks demonstrate my point.
Change the shocks and clean the brake rotor and change the pads. I had the same problem with TEC shocks on my Triumph Scrambler.
I’ve ordered some custom made Hagon shocks for the bike….
It looks like there’s way too much oil on the floor to be just one shock leaking
I had a shock fail and leak on my Africa Twin Adventure Sport, luckily it was a warranty issue, so went back to be replaced.