Three Bolts — How hard could it be?
I learned a few things today while installing a pair of GIVI Engine Guards on my shiny new, 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan. First, I’m no mechanic. I may improve with practice, but whatever skills I had at 17 rebuilding car engines and transmissions has evaporated over the last 50 years. Second, patience brings its own rewards. There was a moment during the installation that I had a pair of side cutters in my hand and I was seriously contemplating cutting the rubber hose in half that ran from the brake reservoir to the master cylinder. And last, I was reminded of the power of asking for help. (It’s like asking for directions only better.)
The Brief Installation Rundown
As mechanical things go, installing the engine guards is not a complicated process. But the fact that there are only three attachment points with three bolts is a little misleading. It turns out there’s a bit of preparation involved to move things that are in the way, clean out messy or clogged bolt holes, and in my case having to use a tap to clean the threads in one case.
Immediately after finishing, I made a quick video assessment with my iPhone which will give a better idea of what to expect.
A Video Reflection of the Installation Process
A quick look with my iPhone and the wandering thoughts I had from working in the garage. Even though I swore off servicing anything last spring and selling my lift table, it seemed prudent to be able to service the Himalayan. It’s a simple motorcycle and I’m sure I’ll be able to handle the routine oil and filter changes, valve inspection and adjustments, chain maintenance, and a host of other small things. Everything will be easier when I organize the garage a little better. And with the loan from my friend Paul Ruby of a Mr. Heater that mounts atop a 20-gallon propane tank, I actually have heat in the garage.
And I would like to thank Ol’ Man Ronin for his help specifically with the GIVI engine guard installation. His YouTube channel has a wealth of Himalayan information including a great step-by-step instructional video of the installation of the guards. I watched it many times.
As soon as the weather moderates, it will be time to take the motorcycle for a ride!
Well, if nothing else the Enfield is bringing us more content and that is a good thing. I am eagerly awaiting your first ride reports, so be brave, get out there in the snow and cold and start writing.
I too have decided to farm out all my maintenance, but I still get pulled into doing some by some mystery source. Don’t think I will be selling my lift anytime soon.
The new motorcycle has sparked some more energy, but the weather has kept me from doing much riding on the Vespa or the Himalayan. The world is covered in ice this morning. Even at my most daring, I wouldn’t attempt this weather. So until the weather at least clears the roads, you’ll have to get by on past rides I’ve not posted, or adventures in the garage!
I still probably will farm out service on the Vespa. The real reason I’m considering servicing the Himalayan isn’t out of any fascination or passion for wrenching, but because the valve checks and adjustments at every service interval mean I can’t sit and wait for the service because the engine has to cool to room temperature. That’s many hours. So I either have to find a trailer and haul it down one day and home another. Or I have to have someone drive me down and back. With all that time consumption I can do it myself. Hopefully.
Nice one Steve. You have a beautiful bike, love the looks of it.
Thanks Mike. Bad timing on my part having to sit on my hands waiting for the roads to clear. But soon, soon…
For “engine guards” on the DR I simply put large tank panniers on. Crash tested many times. Not only protects front of bike but provides storage for inner tubes, gloves, anything soft. Can also tuck knees behind them in cold or wet weather and they act as lower fairing.
I’ve thought about them but am not sure yet what makes sense for me. You’re description of the utility of the panniers and all that they can accomplish, especially in regard to staying warm in foul weather has me thinking your next comment will be, “And if it gets really cold, you can always set fire to the bike…”
What seems simple can be surprising. I had my 40 year’s experience BMW mechanic install engine guards on my BMW C 400X scooter last year, and he lamented that it had taken him three hours to line everything up with the floorboards and install the guards. Claimed he would never tackle another, but they sure look sweet!
You’re not the first person who has told me that the new scooters are frowned on many repair technicians because of the complexity of the many body parts. I can’t picture what engine guards on the BMW scooter would look like. I guess I have a date with Google!
Steve, do you own 3 bikes now?
You seem to be moving up in size the older you get.
Soon you will need a bigger garage.
First I need a haircut. And now I need a bigger garage? Come on Billy! *GRIN*
The K75 is at Kissell’s for sale. In the garage now is the Vespa and the Himalayan. Soon a second scooter will arrive — a 2004 Vespa ET4. So it will be a full house.
Hey Steve – I love the “zen vibe” of your video on the installation. I get so frustrated when working on my Vespa 250 that most of my commentary would have to be beeped-out. Well done!
I’ve had to work hard over the years to acquire even a modicum of zen when it comes to working on machinery. I’m looking forward (I think) to working on the Himalayan.
When I did work or servicing on any of my motorcycles (or my house or car for that matter), I learned to expect the work to be twice as hard and to take twice as long as I expected. I was rarely wrong about that expectation.
But I must say the outcome usually made the effort worthwhile.
That is a beautiful new motorcycle you have there, Steve.
Yep. Twice as long as expected. Frequent trips to Home Depot. It never goes smoothly for me. Always missing a tool.
And yes, the outcome generally makes it all worthwhile. This time, servicing the Himalayan, I’m hoping to find some heightened satisfaction I often hear shared by moto tinkerers. We’ll see.
Engine guards. Someone is planning some serious cow trailing. Paul will be an excellent instructor.
I’m not sure how far I’ll push things. I need to do a little more riding before I venture onto any cow paths.
I suspect you’ll enjoy working on the Enfield. Not much fiddly plastic to get in the way…
I hope so Richard. It sure looks as if it will be easy to work on.
Hi Steve. I like the new bike! Peter Egan had an article within the last couple of years about a long ride on the Himalayan. I think he ended up buying one. I too am looking forward to better weather to ride my new KTM Adventure 390 in Rothrock and beyond.
You’re on my list to call Jim when the weather clears. Lots of places to ride around here. Perhaps you, Paul on his KTM Adventure 390, and me on my Himalayan can do some exploring together. I’ve been mapping out some routes in my head.
Congrats on the new Himalayan and your successful engine guard mount. I agree that time allotted is best doubled … at least! I have used Givi and SW Motech bolt ons extensively and generally tickety boo with excellent instruction provided. True though, you do come across the odd speed bump? It is satisfying to fiddle on and about the Moto and even more so this time of year when riding is at best very spotty. Looking forward to reading future Himilayan frontier foray updates.
I’m anxious to get out. Most of the garage stuff now is organizational. Straightening up the message in the tool cabinet. Installing some new LED shop lights. And organizing all the stuff piled on shelves. It’s still in the 20s here today but I plan to ride. Still a lot of salt and grit so the new motorcycle will stay at home. This is a job for the hardy machine — the Vespa!
Good video Steve! A tap and die set, it’s a good thing to have regardless. I look forward to seeing the new motorcycle out in the wilds of Pennsylvania!
Thanks Dom. I’ve never warmed to making videos. I’m interested but something is holding me back.
I had to borrow the tap and die. I don’t need them often. I have one for SAE bolts but not any with metric sizes. My mechanical world is now almost exclusively metric.
I can’t wait to ride the Himalayan. I’m hoping the roads dry out by Wednesday so I can go out without feeling I’m destroying the brand new motorcycle with salt already!