RE compact engine guards on the Scram: my impressions after a week and counting

[Ike208]

I ordered a set of the RE compact engine guards from a source on EBay, and installed them after completing my first service. What arrived appeared to be genuine RE product based on the shipping box, build quality, and fitment all being what I expected from RE (that is, good enough but not spectacular). The only thing that made me give it the raised eyebrow was the lack of instructions. On one hand installation should be straight-forward, but on the other hand RE usually does a good job of including instructions for even simple stuff.

I couldn't find any videos on YouTube for mounting these on a Scram, but did find a couple videos about this and similar products on Himalayans and that was enough to get the job done. The upper mounting points on each side go to engine mounts that are actually one long, shared bolt with its head on the left side and a nut on the right. Access to each side is complicated, on the left side the oil cooler lines get in the way and on the right the exhaust pipe obstructs access. Some videos mention this can be improved by loosening the exhaust manifold connection at the engine, but I didn't feel comfortable doing this. The shared bolt has to be driven completely out before the left side can be hung, and then the bolt is replaced to hang the right side. Fortunately, the engine is held by at least six other places (IIRC) so there was no sagging of the engine while the bolt was out.

Securing the lower end of each guard was relatively easy, although I had to use a longer bolt and add a handful of washers between the frame and guard on the right side lower end to keep it from coming into contact with the tailpipe. Once the guards were in place, the access to the upper mounting points that was difficult to begin with became positively devilish. The best solution I came up with is to use the appropriate socket wrench size on each side with long wobble extensions to help manage the difficult geometry of actually reaching the bolts, and this will be easiest with two people.

Now that they're mounted, I think they look very nice and provide the right combination of protection and looks I was going for. HOWEVER, the crying may not be over: as one of the pics shows below, the right guard covers the oil filter housing. For oil changes I think I'll be able to get the upper left filter housing bolt out but the longer bottom bolt will require loosening the guard's upper mounting point then completely removing the lower right mounting point to pivot the guard out of the way. Without doubt it will be easier than the original install but it's still going to be a pain in the neck, and will need done on every oil change.

 

[AnalogRider]

I ordered a set of the RE compact engine guards from a source on EBay, and installed them after completing my first service. What arrived appeared to be genuine RE product based on the shipping box, build quality, and fitment all being what I expected from RE (that is, good enough but not spectacular). The only thing that made me give it the raised eyebrow was the lack of instructions. On one hand installation should be straight-forward, but on the other hand RE usually does a good job of including instructions for even simple stuff.

I couldn't find any videos on YouTube for mounting these on a Scram, but did find a couple videos about this and similar products on Himalayans and that was enough to get the job done. The upper mounting points on each side go to engine mounts that are actually one long, shared bolt with its head on the left side and a nut on the right. Access to each side is complicated, on the left side the oil cooler lines get in the way and on the right the exhaust pipe obstructs access. Some videos mention this can be improved by loosening the exhaust manifold connection at the engine, but I didn't feel comfortable doing this. The shared bolt has to be driven completely out before the left side can be hung, and then the bolt is replaced to hang the right side. Fortunately, the engine is held by at least six other places (IIRC) so there was no sagging of the engine while the bolt was out.

Securing the lower end of each guard was relatively easy, although I had to use a longer bolt and add a handful of washers between the frame and guard on the right side lower end to keep it from coming into contact with the tailpipe. Once the guards were in place, the access to the upper mounting points that was difficult to begin with became positively devilish. The best solution I came up with is to use the appropriate socket wrench size on each side with long wobble extensions to help manage the difficult geometry of actually reaching the bolts, and this will be easiest with two people.

Now that they're mounted, I think they look very nice and provide the right combination of protection and looks I was going for. HOWEVER, the crying may not be over: as one of the pics shows below, the right guard covers the oil filter housing. For oil changes I think I'll be able to get the upper left filter housing bolt out but the longer bottom bolt will require loosening the guard's upper mounting point then completely removing the lower right mounting point to pivot the guard out of the way. Without doubt it will be easier than the original install but it's still going to be a pain in the neck, and will need done on every oil change.

They look great and this is a helpful post with pending guards in shipment and would imagine similar head scratching for installation and wobble extension tools. Thanks for sharing the details and the closeups and the two person comments as it will be a solo install for me as well. That is very interesting to read of the oil filter coverage. Is it both access to bolts and pulling the cover/filter within the gap to bars? What is the min average distance between cover and bar? I've got a set on order that have a different angle through the cover but unknown if it will require loosening the bars to service myself.

 

[Ike208]

Is it both access to bolts and pulling the cover/filter within the gap to bars? What is the min average distance between cover and bar?

As it sits assembled the air gap between the bar and the filter cover is about 22mm. Keep in mind that's a bit more than "stock" as I added those extra washers to extend the distance between the guard and the tailpipe. If for some reason you couldn't remove the guard I bet you could remove the two top bolts, just loosen the bottom bolt and then pivot the filter cover around that lowest bolt, giving you enough room to get the filter out. BUT, I ordered the oil filter "kits" from Western Cycle that come with the gasket that goes around all three bolts, so you wouldn't be able to change the gasket or you'd have to snip the new gasket at the bolt hole to reinstall the new one, which seems like a risky proposition, leak-wise.

ETA: from the angle of the pic you included, it looks like you may BARELY be able to get to that lower filter cover bolt. Fingers crossed!

 

[AnalogRider]

As it sits assembled the air gap between the bar and the filter cover is about 22mm. Keep in mind that's a bit more than "stock" as I added those extra washers to extend the distance between the guard and the tailpipe. If for some reason you couldn't remove the guard I bet you could remove the two top bolts, just loosen the bottom bolt and then pivot the filter cover around that lowest bolt, giving you enough room to get the filter out. BUT, I ordered the oil filter "kits" from Western Cycle that come with the gasket that goes around all three bolts, so you wouldn't be able to change the gasket or you'd have to snip the new gasket at the bolt hole to reinstall the new one, which seems like a risky proposition, leak-wise.

ETA: from the angle of the pic you included, it looks like you may BARELY be able to get to that lower filter cover bolt. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for the measurement and details. Set arrives Monday to know. I need it for a course the following weekend, so your notes are helpful to gather tools and mental prep! I'm checking with supplier as well. Their site says "Very easy to Install" so we shall see from whose standpoint that is.
Regardless glad to hear you have your bars on and they look great.

 

[scrambled eggz 411]

Thanks for the post and pros and cons. They look good, and nicely compact. The only problem I have found when riding off road over rocks is that the lower fixing brackets get bent because they stick forward from the bike and catch on everything.

 

[Andyb]

I always worry about that type of guard folding back into the engine cases. I know that one day my Himmy will fall over so I went with the 3 point mounting type guards which have a rear mounting bolt going through the frame which seem much stronger. For lighter weight guards I would personally go for the ones with a simple loop on each side rather than ones that bend backwards. Just personal thoughts.

 

[Geezer]

I ordered a set of the RE compact engine guards from a source on EBay, and installed them after completing my first service. What arrived appeared to be genuine RE product based on the shipping box, build quality, and fitment all being what I expected from RE (that is, good enough but not spectacular). The only thing that made me give it the raised eyebrow was the lack of instructions. On one hand installation should be straight-forward, but on the other hand RE usually does a good job of including instructions for even simple stuff.

I couldn't find any videos on YouTube for mounting these on a Scram, but did find a couple videos about this and similar products on Himalayans and that was enough to get the job done. The upper mounting points on each side go to engine mounts that are actually one long, shared bolt with its head on the left side and a nut on the right. Access to each side is complicated, on the left side the oil cooler lines get in the way and on the right the exhaust pipe obstructs access. Some videos mention this can be improved by loosening the exhaust manifold connection at the engine, but I didn't feel comfortable doing this. The shared bolt has to be driven completely out before the left side can be hung, and then the bolt is replaced to hang the right side. Fortunately, the engine is held by at least six other places (IIRC) so there was no sagging of the engine while the bolt was out.

Securing the lower end of each guard was relatively easy, although I had to use a longer bolt and add a handful of washers between the frame and guard on the right side lower end to keep it from coming into contact with the tailpipe. Once the guards were in place, the access to the upper mounting points that was difficult to begin with became positively devilish. The best solution I came up with is to use the appropriate socket wrench size on each side with long wobble extensions to help manage the difficult geometry of actually reaching the bolts, and this will be easiest with two people.

Now that they're mounted, I think they look very nice and provide the right combination of protection and looks I was going for. HOWEVER, the crying may not be over: as one of the pics shows below, the right guard covers the oil filter housing. For oil changes I think I'll be able to get the upper left filter housing bolt out but the longer bottom bolt will require loosening the guard's upper mounting point then completely removing the lower right mounting point to pivot the guard out of the way. Without doubt it will be easier than the original install but it's still going to be a pain in the neck, and will need done on every oil change.

Hi Ike208, I know you posted this last year, but I had the same bars delivered this morning for my Himmi but the right hand side doesn't fit. You mentioned you had to fit a handful of washers so it cleared the exhaust but the gap in mine is about an inch! See photo. I think I may have to move the exhaust🫤

 

[Ike208]

Hi Ike208, I know you posted this last year, but I had the same bars delivered this morning for my Himmi but the right hand side doesn't fit. You mentioned you had to fit a handful of washers so it cleared the exhaust but the gap in mine is about an inch! See photo. I think I may have to move the exhaust🫤

EDIT: I see you got them to work with a spacer. Strong work!

 

[Gerhard Anniefield]

They look great and this is a helpful post with pending guards in shipment and would imagine similar head scratching for installation and wobble extension tools. Thanks for sharing the details and the closeups and the two person comments as it will be a solo install for me as well. That is very interesting to read of the oil filter coverage. Is it both access to bolts and pulling the cover/filter within the gap to bars? What is the min average distance between cover and bar? I've got a set on order that have a different angle through the cover but unknown if it will require loosening the bars to service myself.

 

[Gerhard Anniefield]

It wonder's me, how can people who make these parts be so stupid, didn't they saw that when they were testing it if it fits???
Good to know.

 

[Woodstock]

It wonder's me, how can people who make these parts be so stupid, didn't they saw that when they were testing it if it fits???
Good to know.

No. I bought after-market pannier rails for the Interceptor that make useful anchors but not much else. I absorbed the loss and bought factory OEM rails that fitted perfectly. I am still waiting for the promised video on how to fit the rails made in some back street shop.

 

[Bikebit]

I received mine as part of a big package deal on eBay. While my right one clears the exhaust just fine, trying to tighten the engine mount bolt is truly an exercise in patience. I had my son helping me so couldn’t even swear and yell!

After finally getting it all installed, the right one sits so close to the engine case, it’s engine guarding properties are suspect at best. With that, I took them off and came here to look for others with similar experience. It appears I’m not the only one I had the GIVI ones on my Himi, and they were great, but I think I’ll just keep the Scram as is…

 

[2LZ]

The right one is a challenge but I got it. I have the Delkevic header pipe so I can't say for stock. I had to shave the lower bolt on the grinder to clear the pipe. I also had to grind the crap out of the lower mount ear to flatten the backside that goes against the frame. Then I shot it with some flat black for rust prevention. Fit fine after that.
Sometimes it just takes a little thought and a few beers.

 

[Geezer]

The right one is a challenge but I got it. I have the Delkevic header pipe so I can't say for stock. I had to shave the lower bolt on the grinder to clear the pipe. I also had to grind the crap out of the lower mount ear to flatten the backside that goes against the frame. Then I shot it with some flat black for rust prevention. Fit fine after that.
Sometimes it just takes a little thought and a few beers.

I had to put a spacer on the lower right hand side of mine so it would clear the exhaust.

 

[Bikebit]

I had to put a spacer on the lower right hand side of mine so it would clear the exhaust.

So basically if you look at it wrong, it will crush the exhaust

 

[aves]

Yeah, these are tough to fit. On mine the exhaust pipe was in a position such that it was impossible to put the right one on at all. I got the pros to move the exhaust pipe and put them on. The good news is that they have successfully helped to protect my bike in a couple of trivial tip-overs. I'm looking at getting a new set of guards because the left one is now bent even closer to what I believe is called the crankcase.

 

[2LZ]

I like the bars wachuko put on his Himmie but they are pricey.

 

[Ike208]

The longer I've had them on the bike, the less happy I've been with them. Having to loosen the one side for oil changes is a hassle, and they just don't fill me with confidence. I'm looking at adding this other set to my next Hitchcock's order. I like that they look like they'd actually take a decent hit, and Hitchcock's notes you can change the filter with the bars in place:

ENGINE PROTECTOR BARS, TRIPLE BAR, PAIR, BLACK, 411 HIMALAYAN

accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com

 

[MtnDrew]

I put them on mine before I ever rode it, just in case. I don't expect them to take a huge beating, but for the $65 I paid they will probably keep the motor from getting too messed up after a single crash. They were a little fiddly to get on, but they did go without washers and with the factory bolts. I wonder how often the ebay stuff from india is actual RE parts or knockoffs.

 

[2LZ]

Too late to edit my above post but I found them on wachuko's bike after doing some forum mining. They are Givi. Nice bars!