My modified Royal Enfield Electra 5s
Last couple of months my Royal Enfield was in Kerala with my friend Shibin, a highly creative Mechanic. I better call him an Artist, his eye for details is highly remarkable. Also he is very passionate about his job.
The restoration was a lengthy process. Almost all the parts has been replaced. The major modifications are.
Crank Weight: Added 6kg more, now the crank weight is around 11.7kg. The increased crank weight allow me to ride slow speed in higher gear without knocking. Now the riding is smooth without much gear shifting. Also the kind of beat the machine produce is awesome. I need to get accustomed to a new riding habit. Increased weight also need a good bearing, I used SKF bearing. The cost of the bearing is higher but I don’t want to sacrifice quality over cost.
Matte Black Paint: I am a hardcore fan of Black. So I decided to paint my RE with Black. I loved the Matte colors of Harley, so asked Shibin to use the same kind of Black in my RE. He did an awesome job.
Buffing: This is the idea of Shibin to buff the Engine section. I asked to paint Engine as well, he advised me not to. So he went ahead and buffed it, after seeing the result, I realized that my idea of painting was not good.
Delco: My RE was fitted with Electronics timing system (CDI). Shibin decided to replace it with old mechanical Delco. The Engine has slot to fit it but he had to drill some holes and customize the engine to suit the Delco.
Front Suspension: From the beginning I didn’t like the design of the Suspension in my Electra. I always admire the look of old RE. So I asked Shibin to replace the front suspension with the Classic one.
Mudguards: I didn’t like Electra’s mudguards either. The mudguards are replaced with the Standard model.
Fixed some other major Issues:
I was complaining about the burning color in my silencer but no service centers could fix it. Shibin had a look and said it’s the issue with the timing system. When he dismantled the engine, he told me that Carburetor was irrecoverably damaged. I assumed this should have been captured in the prior service 3 months before that. Also a lot of issues with the timing system.
One of the Oil pump holes where closed with some Engine sealer. From the beginning I had these Engine leakage, I complained it several times as well. So they might have added the sealer more and some how it went into the oil pump. Some say that it’s not leakage, it’s marking the territory but for me it’s a mess, also I am social being no need to mark the territory :).
A Word to Eicher motors: Royal Enfield is a great machine but the major issues are with the Authorized service centers. The service persons are not at all experienced. Because of high demand service centers are employing very less skilled persons. These guys are learning from the mistakes, but unfortunately our bullets are bearing their mistakes. Every one is jumping to buy an Enfield but they are not realizing the trouble they have to face in the future from these so called Authorized centers. I am pretty sure none of the issues in your Enfield could be fixed in any Authorized service centers. Try and find a good mechanic in your area or pack your RE to Shibin :).
Happy riding…
+Sony Arouje
Sony Arouje 
Awsome !!! Great Look
Senthilkumar
September 16, 2015 at 6:51 pm
thanks Senthil.
Sony Arouje
September 18, 2015 at 5:01 pm
Wow ! That Electra is Awsome..i recently booked an electra for its elegant look..but was dissapointed by the mudguards..! So I want to change the mudguards with standard ones.! What will be the cost to do so? as well as how much did matte black fininsh cost you?
Thank You !
ManojMemane
October 23, 2015 at 9:47 pm
Hi Manoj,
Thanks for leaving your feedback and I am happy to hear that you love my bullet.
I dont know the cost of the mudguard, it’s the same mudguards used in old Standard models. The paint job cost around 17k.
Regards,
Sony Arouje
Sony Arouje
October 26, 2015 at 12:33 am
Hi Sony your RE looks awesome.. Can you give me Shibin’s address?..
Abishek kadalayil
November 1, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Hi Abishek,
Shibin is from Idukki, try calling him at +91 755-996310. If not reachable just leave him a message.
Regards,
Sony Arouje
Sony Arouje
November 1, 2015 at 5:41 pm
Nicely made – worth second look ..
Anonymous
April 21, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Hey Sony, Nice makeover.
I am planning to change my seats, how is the comfort of these slim seats?
Krishna
September 6, 2016 at 10:15 am
Hi Krishna,
I never had any issues with the seat yet. I havent taken him for any long drives, for short drives within 60km, the seat is comfortable for me.
Regards,
Sony
Sony Arouje
September 6, 2016 at 11:36 am
Hello, Your RE looks amazing!! I am planning to buy an electra350 too. I agree with your opinion that Electra 350 mudguards and front suspension should be changed for better look. I would like to request you to kindly tell me the cost of these parts (front and rear mudguards + front shocks of classic)
Thank you
tarun
September 24, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Hi Tarun,
I don’t remember the cost of mudguards, lot of things purchased while doing the modifications, so lost track of the cost of each components. Front suspension was a second hand one, i guess cost around 7k.
I am so glad to hear that you like my Bullet.
Sony Arouje
September 24, 2016 at 5:18 pm
Thank you so much !!
Regards,
Tarun.
tarun
September 24, 2016 at 7:28 pm
Hi There,
I own a RE Electra 5 speed 2008 Model. The problem is that I find it annoying riding it at speeds lesser than 40 km/hour on a higher gear like 4th or 5th. The gears tend to get stuck and there is thuddles of noise in lesser speeds with high gear.
I see that you mentioned that you have added Crank Weight! How is it affecting your bikes mileage after doing so and Can you please guide me with doing the same with my bike.
How did you increase the Crank weight?
Whats the process to do it? What all changes need to be made in the engine after changing crank weight. Please guide me through.
Thanks in Advance,
Sylvester Mathews
Sylvester
August 17, 2017 at 9:47 pm
Hi Sylyster, After adding crank weight I didnt had any issues with mileage, before the makeover, i was getting only 18km/litre now it’s more than 30km i guess (didnt check it out).
The crank weight modification was done in Kerala, I dont know the exact place, my friend Shibin did all the work. After increasing the crank weight we replaced the engine bearings with heavy duty skf bearings.
Increasing the crank weight was worth, i love the sound and ease of riding. I dont want to ride in half clutch, can ride below 5km without going in half clutch.
I will check with my friend about the shop that added crank weight and get back to you.
Sony Arouje
August 18, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Hi Sony,
Glad to hear from you that you enjoy your ride on your RE.
I will Definitely go for the changes in bike as well.
I am from Hyderabad, Telangana.
So, If possible please send me pictures of your bike on Watsapp, +91 7799803737 or on email/Fb, My email id: sylvestermathews@gmail.com,
Fb : https://www.facebook.com/sylvester.mathews.silvi
Check out my Bike too : https://www.instagram.com/p/BXjNsYDFLGl/?taken-by=sylvestermathews
Thanks for the prompt reply Buddy! 🙂
Sylvester
August 18, 2017 at 3:58 pm
Hi Sylvester, I posted the photo of my RE in the blog post itself.
Sony Arouje
August 18, 2017 at 6:49 pm
That’s Cool. Please let me know about the process of increasing the Crank Size and changes to be made within engine after that. 🙂
Sylvester Mathews
August 18, 2017 at 7:29 pm
You need to find some shop who can increase the crank weight, it needs precision work. No change in the engine size I believe.
Sony Arouje
August 19, 2017 at 8:20 am
I will check that for sure. Can you help me with where I can get that ucf bearing? Size and model number ? How much does it cost.?
Sylvester mathews
August 20, 2017 at 2:56 pm
bearing cost around 10k, I dont know the specification of the bearings. A bullet mech can let you know the details.
Sony Arouje
August 27, 2017 at 11:17 pm
Hi,
I’ve checked with many mechanics here in Hyderabad on how to increase the weight of the crank but I could not find anyone who could do that precision work here.
Can you share more pictures of your bike or a video of the bikes beating, would love to see 🙂
Regards,
Sylvester
sylvester mathews
October 17, 2017 at 6:40 am
Hi
Your bike looks great
What was the total cost for all these modification
Shadab
September 12, 2017 at 11:07 am
hi Shadab, it was a costly affair. I dont want to disclose the cost here 🙂
Sony Arouje
September 12, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Hi
Am from palakkad, Kerala
I own a 2005 Electra 5s , can i add Crank weight in it ? Can i have Ur well known mechanic number and may i know how much it be costing ?
akshay
December 13, 2017 at 8:30 am
As of now he is not in Kerala, I will let you when he is back.
Sony Arouje
January 15, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Hi , I live in pune.
I own a electra 5s 2008 model
I want to increase the crank weight, and also add pointer in it.
Is it possible ? And what is the overall cost of modification?
Sunny
August 12, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Adding crank weight cost me around 15k I guess. I dont know what is pointer means.
Sony Arouje
August 13, 2018 at 9:27 am
Hi sony,
I have always wanted to do some modification on my electra front mudgaurd and suspension. Are all the front shocks of classic, std500, electra the same specifications. Also is there any difference between the front mudgaurd of classic and std.
Kindly sent the mobile no of shibin.
Thanking you,
Vinay.
Vinay
December 18, 2018 at 9:14 am
Hi Vinay, If I remember correctly Shibin used the old Classic’s Mudguard and suspension. As of now Shibin is out of station and will be back by Jan first week. Please remind me by Jan mid and if Shibin is available then I will introduce you to him.
Sony Arouje
December 18, 2018 at 6:55 pm
Nice review…
Nilesh Rane
January 18, 2020 at 11:19 am
Hi
What you are saying correct , I have bullet electra bs4, I had of problem of heavy tapping sound in engine. Authorised dealer solved the tapping sound, but it was long processes a i need to visit 5 to 6 times with same problem. dealers could not identify the problem. I was totally fed up. Then I mailed to the company, after 2 days i got the mail and company sent factory staff to solve the problem. In my opinion mechanic in service centre needs more training otherwise they spoil name of company.
Regards
Balaji
Balaji
December 2, 2020 at 7:07 pm