PROVEN front suspension upgrade for Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

As promised this is the video with all the details of my proven front suspension upgrade.
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All the content on my channel is the work that I carry out on my own bikes. I post the videos with a view that they might be of interest to others.
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[@iantoy7778]

Hi from NZ I have the same bike, also orange. I adopted your recommendation to fit the triumph springs to the front with great success. I think I am a similar weight to you and without extra preload, the front is perfect. It’s smooth and assured and I think you nailed it. Thank you.

[@iantoy7778]

This is a message I received from one of my viewers.

[@paulstoker7650]

Excellent video, and I totally agree with the way you did the upgrade. You've lit the blue touch paper now stand back and watch the fireworks from the people defending their YSS kits. I changed the spring's and the oil in my Interceptor's fork's, I also fitted pre load adjusters at the top. I don't care if people think their setup is better, I'm happy with mine and it handles UK roads better than the stock setup. UK roads aren't quite as bad as yours, but we do have a lot of potholes and speed bumps which the Interceptor didn't seem to like, unlike my Himalayan. An honest informative video.

[@iantoy7778]

@@paulstoker7650 yeah had a few already lol

[@stevesanelli90]

I'm very impressed with your assistant! My partner does not give 2 brass monkeys. Perfect advice for minimal cost. All is required is time & patience. Your explanation of the spring rates is perfectly presented. Are the spacers PVC material? Well done! Stop showing me the incredible Interceptor 650! Please 😉

[@iantoy7778]

Sue says ''thanks''. The spacers are made from high pressure water pipe with an outside diameter of 32mm and wall thickness of 4mm.

[@24reprise]

Hello, Watching from New Zealand and enjoying your instructive videos. I am no longer as ignorant about front fork suspension thanks to your explanations and demonstrations. I have been watching Joe Ryan tour through NZ on our back roads on a Himalayan 411, you might be interested to check out his videos.

[@iantoy7778]

Joe Ryan is excellent. We have been watching him for quite a while

[@douglasfitzsimmons654]

You know you're suspension mate.well done👍

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks 👍

[@felixklages1893]

It looks like it's working well

[@iantoy7778]

It sure is

[@Trev350]

Nice set up there. 40+ years ago i changed the fork oil in a Suzuki GSX250 . I used Belray 5w and it transformed the handling. Small changes really can make a huge difference.

[@iantoy7778]

Yes it is surprising what a small change can make.

[@dungspreader]

Another good one . Thank you , Zero bullsh*t , just good info . I'm not an RE owner but still like to watch your technical videos . Probably RE is so similar to Triumph because so many ex Triumph employees now work for RE . There are a lot of new bike " reviews" that tell us precisely sod all , I've stopped watching those , they are all positive anyway . None of them tell the truth . Do they ever mention aspects such gear ratios being suitable or accurate running costs for instance ? Nope .Most of these guys and gals are looking to make it a full time job , budding Jeremy Clarksons .😆 Sadly deluded individuals . But some of them are quite entertaining , Mr Dobbs for instance is quite hilarious when Monika is not around to organise him . Carry on doing what you're doing , it's much appreciated .

[@iantoy7778]

You have to laugh at some of the deluded individuals as you call them 😂 It is certainly good entertainment if nothing else

[@philcox8771]

G’day Ian, great alternative for front fork setup & a well presented detailed tutorial, thanks for sharing mate.. cheers Phil 🇦🇺

[@richardyardley5127]

This is all a big learning curve for me from you Ian, a guy who really does know his stuff. I have done some positive work to my Classic 500 but it's all black and white no brainer stuff, like fitting a through exhaust and adding a Fuel X etc. This and your video about the 20/50 mineral engine oil is an education through your knowledge and vast practical experience. I always watch your videos to the end now. Thank you again 🙂

[@iantoy7778]

You're welcome.

[@FrokieKlarth-qe3ei]

I like your spring upgrade. When the time comes, I will want a similar performance result, but for a rider who weighs about a third again! :) I'm thinking of replacing with a spring, as much, if not all, of that spacer tube. I assume that depend on, by how much the suspension legs can physically compress within their fixing clamps and then matching that measurement by the sum total of the coil spacings. Thanks again for another very interesting look at your Interceptor 650! :)

[@iantoy7778]

If I was you I would contact Hagon's in the UK. Give them your weight and they would make you the correct springs for your weight. The Triumph springs work very well for someone in the 80-90-kg range but doubt it would be any good for someone heavier.

[@MrVinnyh]

I ride a Moto Guzzi V7, I watch your vlogs Ian, due to the simple facts are given out, your how to do's are shown in full, all this is cross transferable to other makes of motorcycles so although your Enfield bias it does not matter it's the information you give which is important! keep up your good work 👍👍many thanks.

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks for that!

[@paulLawrence-he4fk]

Well done mate, good vid.

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks 👍

[@kennethheldreich6604]

Great video Ian, I'd sooner listen to someone that really knows what they're doing 👍🏍🇬🇧

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks 👍

[@frederickwoods5943]

Haven't watched or commented for awhile...I have a 2020 Interceptor that just turned 42,500 miles and has the Wiseco 83.5mm pistons (743cc); about 30,000 miles ago I installed the YSS front fork kit, much improved particularly with the added torque and horsepower. As you say, plenty of "advice" on KZbin...I did not drill the damper rods as many say to do. This is a great bit of information.

[@clayfarnet970]

Many thanks!

[@iantoy7778]

You're welcome!

[@davidrawlings3460]

Hi, nice video. I'm not sure if it matters, but you don't have the front fork tubes in the top yoke in the standard position. They should stick through approximately 11mm. And looking at your video you have them almost flush maybe 5mm? I have fitted the YSS front fork kit with the preload adjusters on top with 15 w and the w isn't weight it stands for winter on fork oil. they work a whole lot better than the standard ones. I didn't pay retail for mine fortunately 😊 But anyway a good watch. Tec rear shocks can leak. In my opinion You shouldn't really knock YSS and keep your opinions about others to yourself and just keep turning out your own stuff,it'll put watchers off. But that's up to you.

[@iantoy7778]

If you had watched the previous video as stated at the beginning of this video I did explain why I had put the forks down in the yokes. I actually stated on the video - Before anybody notices and questions it . I only make the videos because I enjoy doing them and sharing my thoughts and mechanical skills. It is not for making money as I don't make any money. If people don't like what I do there are plenty of other You Tubers to watch. It's a free world.

[@davidrawlings3460]

@iantoy7778 ok thanks I'll have a look at the previous video and find out why you lengthed the forks through the yokes. I think it looks better how you have done it. Just wondering why.

[@chrispulham4779]

Cheers,,,,,, very helpful.

[@iantoy7778]

No problem 👍

[@ogasi1798]

fair play

[@iantoy7778]

Cheers

[@bangkokbill4035]

Great advice and food for thought when upgrading the suspension but where do you get the tubes from?

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks. The tube can be purchased from plumbing / DIY stores. It is high pressure water pipe outside diameter 32mm and wall thickness 4mm. It is easily available here in Bulgaria but I don't know where you are from. If you want some and are struggling to find any let me know.

[@WyreForestBiker]

Great video. So many You Tubers make the mistake of overstretching themselves in a desperate search for content and when it concerns mechanical or technical subjects it never ends well. I find it safer to stick to talking rubbish and the occasional simple fitting video ... entertainment not instruction. 😊

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks. We all have our own skills 😊

[@duncanmclean6416]

Well done great video, not sure about doing myself lol.Think I need to move next to you . 😮

[@iantoy7778]

Go for it! 😂

[@doughoffman9463]

Great work! Thanks for making the video and uploading. What is your estimate of the overall increase in fork travel with your modification? Tec USA has the New Street Scrambler 900 (2019+) progressive fork springs and spacers for $139.

[@iantoy7778]

Whatever you do you will only have 125mm fork travel maximum. What happens with the TEC springs is that you can use the full travel. It gives you better road holding on bad roads. When the bike drops in a pot hole it would need to be very severe for it to bottom out now.

[@felixklages1893]

I forgot to ask: Is the wobling on the front wheel no longer there

[@iantoy7778]

I have changed the front tyre and the wobbling has disappeared. It rides perfectly now.

[@CodgerBiker]

Definitely will give this a go. I'm a few kg less than you. Do you think 5mm off the new spacer might help with my weight? Will try with your setup first. For me, front fork is weakest part of this bike - which I love. 👍

[@iantoy7778]

Yes I would definitely take 5mm off my length. If you had a set of preload adjusters you could take a bit more as you would fine tune your suspension to your weight. Might is set for the really rough roads we have in Bulgaria.

[@CodgerBiker]

@@iantoy7778 I was thiking same. Will try your set up first, albeit with just spring change as bike is new. And tweak from there. Much appreciated. You sound like Notts origin? I grew up East Lincs. Now in NW. UK roads pretty poor these days. 👍👍

[@iantoy7778]

@@CodgerBiker I lived most of my younger life in Metheringham, Lincs until moving to Derbyshire / Notts area when older. Small world

[@CodgerBiker]

@@iantoy7778 I know Metheringham. Wife was from Sleaford. Grew up Mablethorpe area. Loving the channel. Will credit you if I do the suspension setup and record it. Yellow Bellys Are Go! 👍👍

[@richardwilliams5608]

Sorry to ask,but do you know any decent springs for my nc750sa 2016? I know there 41mm but not sure on length as ive never taken apart

[@iantoy7778]

If you contact Hagon's in the UK with the bike model, age , your weight and the type of terrain you ride they will give you the correct springs. I no longer have my NC750 so I can't give you anymore info.

[@richardwilliams5608]

I know you don't have it anymore but I knew you'd know something useful for me,cheers

[@stevenlambert1895]

I had a look on tec website there's a choice between 2017 on and 2019 on for the street scrambler 900 could tell me which springs youv'e got there

[@iantoy7778]

@@stevenlambert1895 it's the new one 2019 onwards.

[@iantoy7778]

The street scrambler was actually only the water cooled model the air cooled bikes was just the scrambler. I see tec have listened them all as street scrambler. 2019 water cooled model.

[@Bob-oo7sm]

I really hope you start taking out new bikes for review .make a change to someone who knows what they are talking about.

[@iantoy7778]

I'd love to but it's not so easy in Bulgaria.

[@edwardkaminsky8142]

Oh sweet mother of the saints... Ian is so educated and humble with his knowledge and all around history of motorcycle's that this phenomenon is lived, breathed, and quite well established in this house hold. ( didn't Sue show us how to make jam ) Some utube influences may dress well and their efficient at borrowing a bike for a day to do a video. Doesn't look like their hands get dirty. We used to have a saying about being able to sell sand to the Arabs ( no pun intended/ no offense) in the lower 48. Ian doesn't sell sand or B.S. I like these videos. Enfield is not for everyone. ( the 411 will be around for decades due to easy servicing)

[@iantoy7778]

@@edwardkaminsky8142 By sheer coincidence we have just watched somebody who has managed to get his hands on a Ducati Multistrada for a test ride. Wish it was so easy in Bulgaria. You are quite right about Sue she has around 300 jars of produce in her store from the garden this year. Between us we are multi talented 😂

[@Bob-oo7sm]

@@iantoy7778 wish you could take out the new Himalayan .I've bought one and love it .the so called experts who do the reviews knock it for certain things .it suits my needs .

[@iantoy7778]

​@@Bob-oo7smin Bulgaria there is not the opportunity to test bikes. Bulgaria has the same land mass as UK but there are a lot more people that live in London than the whole of Bulgaria,so the motorcycle community is very small to else where. The shops can't afford to register a bike out of the small stock of bikes they have or the will lose on it when they sell it. Most shops don't take part ex either so it's an out right sale or nothing.

[@chrispulham4779]

Did you upgrade your rear shocks?

[@iantoy7778]

Not yet. They seem to be working OK at the moment.

[@chrispulham4779]

Ok, cheers

[@johnfountain8588]

Good follow up from the remove and replace video Regards 🦩🦩

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks