My Mods Thread - 2021 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

[wachuko]

I think this is why my wife gets mad at me sometimes... I have a s* load of projects and instead of progressing some of those, what do I do??? I get distracted "look! squirrel!!"

So I was putting away the spare oil filters, air filter, and valve cover gasket that I got with the shipment of the accessories... and then I start thinking that I need to get an oil filter wrench to remove and install the filter. So I search the tool box to see what I have... none on the ones in the multi-size kit fits this one... no 74mm...smaller, anyway... put that away and see what else is in one of the drawers. I find this one that fits perfectly:

The I started to watch this video... Where Stuart Fillingham fixes some imperfections in the engine casing...

And I look at the oil wrench again... hummm I start with some 100 grit , 220, 320, 400, just add water and then 1000, and finish with 3200.... Then grab the metal polish compound, and then some fine metal polish paste... some black paint on top... I borrow my wife's gold marker. I should have had her do the line as I do not have a steady hand, as you can see from the waves...

Wife suggests printing a matching Royal Enfield emblem... and voila!!

 

[wachuko]

Getting ready for installing the bar-end turn signals. Only waiting for the protective sleeve for the wires. That should be arriving today.

So went ahead and drilled the holes on the bars for the wires. Removed any burrs that could damage the wires...

And applied some paint to avoid any rust there...

 

[wachuko]

Making a few adjustments to the under-seat cowl cover template...

I will keep it in place with two bolts. I thought about using velcro or JB-weld some magnets, but since I am not sure what will be there, I want to make sure it does not fall, due to weight, when I take out the seat.

Rear bracket with rivet nut, is there with double face tape for now. I will secure with JB-Weld

 

[wachuko]

For the LED turn signals, for the flash relay. Going with this one based on feedback from RE owners that have done the same. This is to make sure the turn signals flash at the correct rate.

Sdootauto 2 Pcs 12V 2-Pin Motorcycle Adjustable Flasher Turn Signal LED Flasher Relay Hyper Indicator Flash- Black

 

[wachuko]

Bar-end turn signals installed!

Cable sleeves installed

Weights inserted and installing the lights

Might put some black silicone sealant in there...

Testing them with a 9Volt battery to make sure the wires were not damage during the install...

All connectors done, wires organized, nice and neat to install headlight back.

Done!!

They are flashing correctly but from other threads, without the new relay they will start flashing fast... will see. The LED flash relay should be here Saturday.

 

[wachuko]

Wished the dealer installed these as a courtesy to their customers...

Installed the battery tender charging pig tail. I actually installed two, but the second one is for charging the phone. I will connect an USB port from there.

Also, just for reference, took a photo of the stock toolkit. Watching some videos from last year looks like the spark plug tool was not included, but t is now.

EDIT: The small hex wrench is not from the toolkit. I added that. It is for the handlebar clock.

 

[wachuko]

Okay, got the smallest piece of Lexan at the hardware store and got to work. The cowl lid is done!

And then, while I was finishing the lid, this arrived. I can't believe how compact this is!! That is an 8-1/2"x11" sheet of paper! This is the Eastbount Motorcycle Tyre Repair Kit with the 24mm axel nut wrench and Wheel Wedge option.

So of course I had to put it away! There is enough space left for the patches, maybe the spare inner tube as well... No way to get the compressor also in there (I tried)

 

[wachuko]

I did not think or rather, search enough for a quick release bolt.... If I had done that, I would had gone with 1/4" rivet nuts and use the quick release D-Ring camera bolts... Like these:

But it is not too late. I ordered 5 of those shown above... first I will try to rethread two into 4mm... if that does not go well then I will change the rivet nuts to 1/4". This way, I do not need a tool to get to my tools. But for now I added that hex wrench to the factory tool kit that sits inside the side cover...

On other news, a few more tools arrived:

1. A fellow forum member recommended getting a Fork Oil Level Gauge. I have to say, I was not aware of this tool. Went with the Motion Pro Fork Oil Level Tool. Not that expensive which is great.

2. Motion Pro Rim Shield II - these seem to be a lot better at the job than the crap I have now...

3. Not in the photo because they arrive today, is a set of Motion Pro 08-0536 BeadPro Forged Steel Tire Bead Breaker and Lever Tool Set. To keep at home, not for the road.

4. Rather than taking stuff out of the other bike, got additional spare fuses... the larger ones are 10amp for the pig tail battery connectors.

5. Motion Pro 08-0183 Valve Core Remover - so I can lose it before I get a chance to use it when needed

 

[wachuko]

Painted the JB Weld black...

I am going to call this task done! (well, will be really done when I do the D-ring bolts)

And these arrived...

 

[wachuko]

Black vinyl applied to the gold rear shocks reservoir. Much better! IMHO of course. Only missing the chrome front fender, black rear fender, and painting (or powder coating) those silver headlight brackets black... Clutch and brake levers should be here today.

Turn signals are flashing correctly. I wonder if the rear ones are providing the load needed to avoid the fast flashing (since I did not replaced those with LEDs). Either way, LED relay arrives today as well. Might be needed when I decide to change the rear light setup for something else.

 

[wachuko]

To finish the break-in miles, went out with my cousin on a ride to the coast... He now owns my old Harley Softail Slim S...

That got me to the 300+ miles needed...

And once I got home, started to work on doing the oil change.

New filter installed...

Poured 3 quarts... started the bike, then poured the .27 quart required to get to the correct level it was before the oil change...

Next will be checking the valve clearance...

 

[wachuko]

These came in today... so the valve adjustment will be done next week... Took the time to install the levers.

Before:

After- much, much better imho. The stock units are very rudimentary...

You know that I need to find a way to paint gold lines besides each side of the black line... lol

On the clutch lever, made sure to remove the switch before removing the lever...

Also, I need to read up on actual range of this tank/bike... last bar started flashing at only 111 miles...

 

[wachuko]

Placed an order for a few accessories that I might never use, but wanted to have just in case I take a trip on this bike... Main reason I got the bike was to have something easier to hop on and just go to relax... I have the Adventure bike for long trip... But ordered the following:

1. Royal Enfield Rear Mudguard For 650 Continental GT - Black - this is to get rid of the silver... It will be chrome fender in front. Black in rear.
2. Royal Enfield Starter Solenoid For 650 Continental GT - to keep in the spare parts bin
3. Royal Enfield 650 Continental GT Rear Rack Luggage Carrier - Black - if I use the bike for a long trip... the saddlebags will be full and I want some support to avoid any accidents. Right now I just keep water bottles, gloves, baseball cap, and some spare goggles in them...
4. Royal Enfield 650 Continental GT Pannier Mounting Kit - Black - if I use the bike for a long trip...
5. Royal Enfield 650 Continental GT Clutch & Throttle Cable Assembly - to keep in the spare parts bin

So this means that I am really not touching the rear end of the bike... so that MK Designs tail kit that requires to cut the rear, will never be used on my bike. That one will gather dust in the spare parts bin...That is okay.

 

[wachuko]

Modified some 1/4" D-ring bolts into M4 D-ring bolts... now I do not need a tool to get to the tools...

 

[wachuko]

This arrived yesterday...

MK Shorty Tail Kit - their website now clearly states that the loop is made of fiber glass. Good to have that clarity before buying and thinking that it was made out of steel. All the rest of the brackets/components are steel.

I have to say, it is well made. There is some heft to the frame loop. Solid feel.

I also got this today... different turn signal/stop light integrated setups to play with... and a cool looking metal sign

Also got an axel mounted license plate bracket from Dime City Cycles

And two different options to light the tag with that side mounted bracket...

Some Mini LED plate bolts

And a Mini hooded light...

I am playing with different options to see what I end up with...

 

[wachuko]

I really want to go forward with installing the short tail kit...

But I want to also be able to use the rear rack I just purchased for longer trips...

Want to have my cake and eat it too, if you will...

Has anyone done setups that can be swapped?

I am thinking that when I cut the stock loop, to weld rods at the ends . Make holes on the part that remains in the bike... make threaded holes on those rods... that way I can swap between short or long tail and hold them in place with bolts underneath...

Lights will be using the stock plug, so those can be unplugged without major issues during swaps...

I hope that made sense. Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

On other news, I wanted a tool roll bag... there was the one that I really wanted but was not willing to pay the asking price...

KrukGarageWorkstyle Leather Tool Roll

And there were these two that I kept going back and forth on them... the Burly Voyager Tool Roll and the Tripmachine

Ended up ordering the Tripmachine in Tobacco

I also wanted to try a different exhaust, but did not wanted to spend too much... trying these first... Order placed today: EMGO Cafe Muffler Chrome 80-84032

Eventually I want to get the Scorpion exhaust in chrome with the black tips... but did not feel like spending US$630+ on them... The wife is watching

 

[wachuko]

I have to say... I am really, really enjoying this bike!!!

Putting miles on the bike... even if it is 60 miles at a time... had a nice ride around the back roads today... Stopped to meet up with my cousin and then headed out for a few more miles...

I have to take some time off work to just go out and ride a bit longer...

 

[wachuko]

Almost there... waiting on a few items to arrive...

So far I have (or have ordered):

1. Fuses for the bike and the charging ports (the bike has three spares, but best to have a couple more as well)
2. Relays (will place those in a ziploc bag)
3. Tie wraps
4. Stop & Go RCP Mini-Air Compressor
5. Eastbound tire repair kit - I added the 24mm motorcycle axle nut wrench and the WheelWedge options
6. Valve Stem Puller - another tip I got from the video! Had not seen those. Pretty cool
7. Patch kit - Slime 4060-A Classic Rubber Patch Kit 27-Piece and waiting for the REMA Tip Top Car & Truck Repair kit TT 11 to arrive...
8. PRICARE Mini First Aid Kit - I have one of these in each vehicle...
9. My gear is waterproof, but I keep an inexpensive Frogg Toggs rain suit in there as well. Super compact until you use it the first time. Last one I gave to a friend that left it home... so ordered another one. (not in the photo)
10. LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multi-Tool, Black Oxide with 4 Pocket Nylon Sheath + Leatherman 42 Piece Bit Kit Set and Leatherman Bit Driver Extender - a bit of an overkill, but man I love this multi-tool... I have one on the adventure bike that I will move back and forth with this bike... - turns out I had an older version in a drawer... placed that one on here and leaving the other one in the other bike...
11. Electric tape
12. Duct tape (rolled on the screwdriver shaft) - that is the plan... need to get a screwdriver first.. maybe I also add a pencil to the tool kit and place some tape there as well...
13. Small multimeter - ordered
14. Adding cotter pins
15. Tire valve tool
16. Adding valves cores (ordered)
17. Adding small bottle of baby powder
18. Small roll of 14 gauge wire (not in photo)
19. Added a hex wrench to the kit for the clock I installed (in the factory toolkit)
20. Small Permatex Fast Orange Fine Pumice Lotion Hand Cleaner
21. Trusty lighter...
22. Small knife
23. AK6962 Sealey Bit Driver Ratchet
24. KNIPEX Tools 86 03 125, 5-Inch Mini Pliers Wrench


I still need to make that 5mm thick shim for the break pads change...

Got ideas from this video a fellow rider/owner shared...

 

[wachuko]

Mufflers should be here today... so started working on removing the stock units... and while I was there, installed the side mounted license plate holder...

The hole on the bracket is so larger that it just goes over the stock washer that is in there...

So I had to get another washer and drill a hole to make it fit on the axle
but without being too big on the outside...

I still need to install and wire the license plate lights... tomorrow is another day...

I then started to remove the stock tail light to install one of the options I got... to see how it would work... All wired using stock factory connectors so I can remove easily (I am still waiting on the black rear fender...)

With both LED turn signal lights in front and back, I had to install the variable flasher relay to make them flash at the correct rate.

That is all for now... will continue after the mufflers arrive...

 

[wachuko]

Could not resist... had to listen to it without any mufflers...

From a cold start:

Warmed up and with a few revs just for fun...

The microphone on the phone does not pick up how loud it is... sound muted on the video.