Hi stuart so the L marking is intake and the r marking is for exhaust tdc are the markings only on 1 side of the end of the camshaft the side were you turn the crankshaft thanks keep up the great content

Ah takes me back to my youth. Sunday morning adjusting tappets with a hangover, the smell of Mum cooking bacon and eggs wafting out the kitchen window. Happy Days!

Did this today with your video. You’re a God send sir. Saved me 650USD and helped my confidence with working on the bike. Bravo

Dear Uncle Stu after watching your video several hundred times i took the plunge purchased all the tools and with video running disassembled my bike and began adjusting the tappets trickly little buggers but i stayed calm and ploughed on i found that the intake tappets were exceedingly tight until i discovered i had two feeler gauges stuck together....after giving myself a severe talking too I readjusted the tappets and rechecked all again with an expression of smug satisfaction I began to reassemble my motorcycle still with video playing i placed the rubber gasket onto the cover and discovered it kept coming off now with a look of frustrated bewilderment I struggled on. Gasket on engine ,nope gasket on the cover nope by now my Basil faulty impersonation had been over used and the rest is a fog of frustration and expletives … my wife tells me I challenged the bike to war in Swahili a language I did not know I possessed but the good news the bike is back together all by my own hand my therapist tells me the fixed expression of frustrated bewilderment will slowly fade and the nervous tick will disappear. Once again many thanks for the video

Dear Stuart, Thank you for all your informative Interceptor 650 service videos. One suggestion regarding tappet adjustment for the novice mechanic is what is called the "Go / No Go" method. Once setting the appropriate clearance, follow up by inserting the next thinner feeler gauge which should "Go" in easily. Then try the next thicker feeler gauge which should be a "No Go". This method not only ensures the correct settings but also give the novice the feel of the correct amount of drag on the gauge. After doing this a few times the novice will be experienced enough to know what feels right.

Stuart,please get a job in national geographic....your narration is amazing

It is only because of you Stuart that I had the courage to do my oil change and valve adjustment. I'm very thankful to you.

I did mine last night. My biggest issue was refitting the rocker box cover with the seal. It fell out every time. I attempted to hold the seal in with a little gasket maker and it still fell out. After an hour of trail and error, I finally got it. Thanks for the video!

It was said clearly on the first part, and no problem reminding others

you said it clearly in the first video about being four parts, nice to watch you work, looking forward to next.

My feeler gauge is probably older than most KZfaq viewers. Also not needed for several years for the reasons you mentioned. Thanks again.

"suck it & see" (15:11) - not an expression we hear too often in the States but one I love !

As someone who is just starting his biking journey, and an aspirational RE owner, your channel is a wealth of knowledge. Love your candidness. And as you said in Part 1, you were quite clear on the scope of that video. Loving your advice.

Being an old git, the last time I done tappets on a vehicle was a great many years ago now. Brings back memories of nipping my fingers changing and reseating valves with the collets. As you say us tinkering diy fettelers have been spoilt with hydraulic tappets etc. Thanks for bringing back memories.

Hi Stuart, well as they say "you can't please all the people, all the time" - for me your videos are a blend of down to earth common sense, with great info and useful tips. Also from time to time mixed with a bit of fun. Plus good music. As I've mentioned before I'm on the point of 'pushing the button' on an Interceptor Chrome and also haven't done valve clearances since my screw & locknut days of Bandit ownership so it was great that you dealt with this. Thoroughly good video in my opinion.

Nice job. And good on Royal Enfield for making a bike with screw and lock-nut valve adjustment. I've soon got to check/adjust the valves on my Triumph Scrambler and KLR650, both using the dreaded shims and buckets.... I hate those things. Personally, I don't mind doing a valve job on something like the Interceptor every 6,000 miles. I had a Ural with valve adjustments about every 3,000 miles and actually liked doing that job. That's the main reason I am hoping to get one of these RE 650s some day. No more shims and buckets.

Just did the 300 mile valve adjustment, without your tutorial I would of had a difficult time. Thanks! All but 2 valves were tight!

Just want to say a big thank you, I did my valve adjustments this afternoon for its 500km check, your you tube posting helped alot, Thanks Stuart

Did a valve set on my interceptor today. Getting that valve cover off is truly a test of patience. Many thanks for the video!!!! Outstanding help!

Thank you for sharing your well earned experience in an understandable elaboration and demonstration. Very helpful for newbies like us.

This is brilliant, like having a very knowledgeable and patient shop instructor looking over your shoulder and guiding you through each step. Thank you!

I'm going to leave my first service (when I eventually get my Interceptor) to the dealer, but following these excellent videos, I think even I could follow these procedures, so from then, I'll be having a go myself! Many thanks, Stuart for your simple, direct and practical instructions.

Am a younger, new motorcycle rider and just got my Continental last week. Have been watching through nearly all your Interceptor videos and have always been interested in the maintenance and mechanical aspect of them. Thank you for making the content and the learning opportunity! Ride safe and ride long!

Had first test ride on interceptor and himalayan and they are even better than I thought.. I did own 2012 bonny.. and interceptor suspension is much much better..cheers from dave..

Thanks for the most detailed video on adjusting those tappets, Stuart. Like you, I hadn't set valve clearances for years, except on old British & Japanese bikes that had removable circular covers over each tappet, which made access for adjustment very easy. These Enfield 650s require more dismantling to get decent access.

It's been quit a while since I last watched your video and adjusted my valves but it was a tremendous help in refreshing my memory, thank you.

Stuart, As an ex teacher / instructor / facilitator (of more years that I care to remember) I can totally understand your comments about people who jump to conclusions based on less than 10% of the evidence. I really don't think it matters how many times you try, this distinguishing quality will always be a part of their lives. Keep up the good work, the majority of us do listen and therefore enjoy. All the best

Ahhh the ancient and noble art of fettling with your bike, lovely 😎

Another enjoyable and informative video. You are so right about being careful and taking your time when doing the maintenance on your vehicle, the dealership doesn't have that luxury of time and it sometimes ends up with your vehicle not getting a good service. I've been working on my vehicles recently and there is no better feeling than doing it yourself (even if you are bloody sore by the end of it!)

Stuart, your videos are wonderful on all fronts - aesthetic, content, pace and videography. Anyone who skips though parts of them is an utter Philistine! You do all enthusiasts a great service. Bravo

I’m going to buy a new motorcycle for my 70th birthday. One that I can work on, like I do with my 2001 Harley Electraglide and 1986 BMW R80RT, and one that is light enough to take me to my 80th birthday. After looking at all models from Ducatis to Hondas, I think it will come down to which one I can most easily adjust the valve clearances on. I reviewed this video again after 2 years, and the Interceptor moved to the top of my list! Thanks for all of the great video that you make!😎👍

I just adjusted mine today using this video as my main instruction. It worked perfectly and the job was easy. My first time adjusting valves and this is absolutely not a scary job. I did have to adjust the right spark plug and all 4 valves on the right side as they were all tight. The left side was perfect. This bike is the way they should be; someone like me with decent mechanical knowledge can easily work on this bike, no dealer needed at all. One point the camshaft markings are visible without removing the gasket, just shine a light in there and it works fine. Thank-you Stuart for your work on these videos.

You couldn't have made it more clear.. Stewart judging by these demanding comments, you ever get the feeling you are providing a service that people have paid for? They seem to forget that you really don't need to do this.. You are providing this service at your own expense and time.. Some people....

14:05 to 15:05 is the kind of information not that freely available anywhere in the numerous Royal Enfield 650 valve adjustment videos. Thanks for making this video.

Stuart, you were perfectly clear about your maintenance videos. You stated you were going to break it up into four videos to cover the subject. I consider you an expert in all aspects of motorcycles. Dave

Feeler gauges Stuart, thanks for the memories. As a mechanic back in the sixties virtually every service required the use of them, tappets, spark plugs and contact breakers or points as they were commonly called. Happy days.

This is my dream bike, just need to wait a little longer......

Definitely rocket science to me! My heart is fear stricken! I can appreciate that in doing this job at home, more care and attention to detail is achieved. But weighing that against the distinct possibility that I would screw it up, I am compelled to have a professional do it. A great video, nonetheless, for those more courageous and mechanically inclined than myself. Thanks!

Nicely done sir. Has been years since I did valve adjustments but actually at 73 years old, I am looking forward to it on the new 650 Int I drove home today.

Hey Stuart, I watched your video and decided to give this a go for my 300 mile check. Got everything set up this morning and had the service manual. I turned my first turn to line up L going counter clockwise. When I double checked the feeler gauge size in the manual I noticed it said to turn clockwise and “Never turn counterclockwise”. I freaked out and thought well hmm maybe things have changed since your video so I then proceeded to turn clockwise for the R side and then continued clockwise to recheck the L and R again. All things seemed fine and I only adjusted an exhaust valve on the R side. Sealed everything back up and then wondered why the manual was different from your video. Then I watched others and they all said counter clockwise. I continued down my panic induced research and saw all kinds of posts stating to rotate counter clockwise. I figured I potentially ruined my engine but decided to continue being dumb and fired it up and then went for a 10 minute test ride. All seemed normal so I’m hoping it’s ok. My question is what should I potentially be looking/listening for that could’ve potentially been damaged by rotating clockwise? Everything felt normal for my short test ride. I plan on going for a long ride tomorrow and get up to higher speeds. Apologies for the long winded comment. You’re the RE king so I figured you’d know best. Cheers!

Great tutorial , tappets are easy to adjust and you showed exactly how to get it done. Bought one of the first interceptors bought into New Zealand , put money down when it was unveiled at the Auckland motorcycle show. Best bike I've ever owned ( had 50 plus over the years ) , Guzzi T3 and BMW R65 close 2nd and 3rd

I haven't done this on a bike since my CD175 when I was a very young lad, fortunately access was much easier. Good video, well presented.

I love how you call out the impatient folks! Excellent videos- keep it up. Proud owner of the same bike as of one week ago today!

You are correct. You had clearly stated what and how you were going to do. Very good video. Keep it up. Looking forward to parts 3 and 4. Thanks.

Hi Stuart, Apart from the BSA's in the garage, the last daily rider I had with tappets was a Honda CB175 in the early 1970's. Great video mate.

Great video! I have not adjusted tappets in YEARS your video made the procedure simple. The only PITA was installing a new valve cover gasket ( old one was torn ) but even that was not too bad

Nice one Stuart, takes me back to 1974 and my first go at setting the tappets on my first bike. Don't take any notice of the negative comments, you give sound and easy to follow advice.

That's odd, I was quoted 3000 miles for the second service. Great video, very clear and easy to follow. Thanks a lot!

Thanks Stuart. Long time since I've done tappets. A great refresher. Mine was supposed to have been serviced by a dealer but they were very rattly on the LHS exhaust, the rest were very tight. All done now at 5k miles. Peace of mind restored.

Oh happy memories of Sunday afternoons cleaning SU carbs and checking tappets on my Morris 1000 traveller, followed later by my Austin Cambridge and these days on our series 2a land rover. As you say it isn't difficult, just take your time, think before you do it and check it when you've finished. Excellent video as always. Stay safe.

FYI, first time entering an engine and I completed it in about 2.5 hours, taking it pretty casually. All 8 tappets were very tight! It wasn't particularly difficult, just a bit fiddly at times. Thanks for the excellent instructions Stuart. I watched the video a couple of times beforehand and nailed it. I think. Cheers, Tristan

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience! I just completed my own adjustments for the first service and it runs beautifully. Wouldn't have even attempted it without this video. Thank you from the US!

Thanks so much for this video, just completer my 10.000k services the shop did my 5,000k service and they used a semi based oil and I also believe that the valve clearances where not touched. After this experience I decided to do my own work on my GT. When I checked the valves they where all tight very tight. Now adjusted I have a slight tappet tick that was not there before to me this is good. And a sump full of raspberry. Hardest part was keeping the gasket in place.

Just did this job today. Thanks so much for this video! It gave me so much confidence and the job went without a hitch.

Nice presentation, Uncle Stu. Might I suggest another method for those unaccustomed to using feeler gauges: Use the go-no-go method. If the correct size fits, try the next size bigger and see if it goes in as well. Also, tappet adjustment time is a great opportunity to polish the rocker cover while it's off the bike. Again, a great tutorial, as we have come to expect from you. All the best from No Yawk.

Very good information. I'm no stranger to this having owned a Volkswagen beetle in the past.

This really takes me back about 40 years...Matchless G9 500 twin......doing your own fitting and adjusting was a common job most did.on British bikes even top of the range ones.............as well as holes in your jeans from battery acid......

I have no idea how to service a Motorcycle but your videos really do inspire confidence...that seal under the cover looked like it was going to be a pain to sit back into place...but you made everything look so easy 👊😎👍

Hi Stuart. Thanks for the video as i go back to it everytime i do the tappets! Getting older seems to affect my memory. Cheers from Australia.

Finally picked up a 2022 Bakers Express Interceptor and this video will come in handy so much. Thanks again Stuart

You need to make a five part video. The first part telling us it's a four part video.

Bravo my friend, thanks for sharing your experience, very useful for people like me, with very little knowledge of maintenance

You made it clear from the outset what you were doing. It isn't just videos, people do not read and digest information. They only grab soundbites and headlines and skim the rest. It winds me right up, what's worse, is that once they have got the wrong end of the stick, you can't get through to them.

I rarely comment on videos but I have to say THANK YOU FOR THIS. Your detailed shots and description are amazing. I've worked on plenty of old Honda CB motors, so the procedure is similar, but it's nice to see what I'm getting into before I get started. This is fantastic. I appreciate it. You've got another subscriber.

Must done my rappers adjustment following your video, thanks!

Brilliant information, not something you come across easily in KZfaq. Thank you for sharing the same Stuart.

Thanks for these videos sir. Looking to start servicing my Conti 650 at home since the services are pretty expensive and i’ve been racking up a lot of miles on the bike. Will be my first home service on anything so really appreciate your thoroughness.

Really a rare stuff..👌 it's like reading the manual and watching your video for understanding..👍

Hi mr. stuart its always pleasure to learn from you . A small thing here i want to grab your attention is ,while removing the rocker cover it is more convenient if we will remove both the horns , it gives plenty of room to grab the rocker cover out I appreciate all the work you are promoting 😇 Stay safe, Ride safe.

I'm a horseshit mechanic. I'm feeling good about attempting this now though, thanks to your very well made instructional video. I've no dealer/or RE mechanics anywhere near where I live, so I'm forced to do this myself. I have all of the tools and shall take my time..... Thanks, Stuart....

Herr Stuart, You sir are the reason why I wud b buying an Int650. Thanks a ton for such elegant and exhaustive maintenance courses given for free. I hope you put your patreon link somewhere if I have missed it.

I’m watching for the second time. 6000 miles has come due and the start of the real riding season is here. I not in possession of a 14mm (or 9/16”)hex although I own all the other tools. I have started whittling away at the tasks on this list. My shop and tools are 5 miles away from here. So I think I’m going to have to do this part after I do a different job on one of the race cars so I can cool it off enough to have an accurate gap. 3.1 L of Silkolene and a fresh oil filter is next. I started by replacing the paper filter with a DNA and cover delete and inspecting the hoses and rubber. Although that second part seems to me to be part of a wash job and more frequent, but what do I know? while not really part of the service it also got AEW silencers. Sounds great. Such a simple motorcycle. It’s like working on the dirt bike.

May i say that is an excellent and very clear tutorial! Well done, i sold 500 bullet to make room for interceptor, that had hydraulic valves!

Excellent video! THANK YOU my friend. Very useful info to have. Back when I started riding, about 50 years ago, we all had to do at least some of our own adjustments and other maintenance work. You just weren't a "Real Biker" if you didn't or couldn't! 😉

Something I did that helped , while putting the tank back on was hooking a tarp strap with gas cap off , then hooked it to a tie down strap that was hooked to a board across the rafters in my garage. Wish I would have thought about it when removing the tank. Also both of the spark plugs we not very tight . Just a little more than finger tight.

Great video sir. I don't own an Interceptor but I saw one yesterday and it looked cool as hell. I think I may be getting one when my Bonneville eventually dies (in about 40 years!)

Thank you for this series, very helpful and actually encouraging for mechanically challenged people like me that would not normally dream of doing this to have a go, great stuff :-)

Very useful video, I like yourself will be servicing my own interceptor. Thanks for your efforts.

Reminds me of my teen years during the 60's in the UK. My pals and I would spend weekends messing about with our BSA Bantams, C15s and Tiger Cubs. Would love another bike but I'm 71 and it's been too long since I last rode a bike. I moved to Australia in '72 and haven't held a bike licence since then. Too much trouble to get a licence now and I wouldn't feel comfortable on today's roads. Still love looking at bikes though.

Have always been afraid to take these sort of jobs on in case i make a total arse of it. I may just give it a go now using these guides. Thank you

Nice view of Scarborough. Love that place. Will be up there for the Barry Sheene event next weekend at Oliver's Mount. Keep up the great video's. Many thanks

I've taken delivery of a "new to me" Interceptor. It came with dealer stamps and receipts for servicing but I'd be surprised if the tappets had been done. All were night. I've found your videos very useful but I had a nightmare getting the rocker cover back on with its seal. In the end I found rotating the engine to provide more distance between the top of the tappets and the frame helped. Doubtless I'm doing something wrong but I can't see what. It would have been so much easier had they fitted the seal the other way up.

Another excellent video tutorial Stuart, very informative and well presented. Thank you.

A comment from John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath” (published 1939, Ch 12, paragraph 6) on loose tappets: "That rattle - that's tappets. Don't hurt a bit. Tappets can rattle till Jesus comes again without no harm.” (If you have trouble with that quote take it up with your English professor.) But TIGHT tappets! Now that’s a different matter. A tight tappet can hold the valve slightly open to allow the combustion to burn the sealing surfaces between the valve and the valve seat. Which ultimately causes loss of compression and leads to a valve regrind job. =Expen$ive! So I was very appreciative of Stuart’s mentioning that his valve settings were too tight when he got to them at 300 miles. Consequently I checked mine at 400 km (240 miles) and found all of mine too tight. Anticipating further compression of surfaces I set mine a bit looser: 4 thou on the intake and a loose 8 thou on exhaust. When it came to taking the tank off I got timid when I saw the factory crimped hose clamps on the fuel lines. Some fuel hoses on fuel injected systems are pressurized, so I didn’t want to mess with that. (The fuel pump is inside the fuel tank.) I was able to get the tank back to where the tab with the rear mounting holes would slide under a frame cross member. With a 2 x 2 under the back of the tank I got almost a foot of clearance between the top of the rocker cover and the bottom of the tank at the front. I found I had plenty of access to lift the brake control unit and to remove the rocker cover. I did find it useful to loosen the left horn mounting bolt to allow it to swing forward for a bit more clearance to remove the cover. The rest was standard procedure. Even unto finding my old feeler gauges :) And yes, I did notice the tappet noise returned to where it had been when I first got the bike. The bike did seem to have more go. I don’t know if it made any difference to performance or if I was just relieved to get the job done! Stuart, I greatly appreciate your instructional videos. I use them for reference as I proceed. For example, remembering which side to remove the rocker cover from. Oh ya, it comes out the left side. Ronn

Ah about time to see a real treat, nice bike and l think a very good review on how to go about this job

Nice Vid. I got the first service done on my speedmaster, I had the dealer do it and i,m glad I did they went thew the hole bike and found things like loose spokes on the rear wheel and they even washed it. The work was costly.But i think worth it.

It's always an informative pleasure to ear you... Thanks. Hi from Paris

Thanks Stuart!!. great video series. New Conti 650 for me and never done my own servicing before. so thank you for the level of detail..! Keep them coming.

Thanks Stuart for a straight forward review of the process encouraging those new to the subject and the joys of an English motorcycle (and others of course, despite many including Triumph, going to the shim approach). A comment about removing the sparkplugs - to poke a clean cloth into the hole to prevent any small items falling in there during the process. Easy to pull out before replacing them :) My bike is arriving 3rd week in August - over a 5 month wait in NZ for the Orange Crush colour I wanted!! Looking forward to the next in the series - keep it up!!

Fantastic video, very clear and very comprehensive. Thank you Stuart. I am loving my Interceptor!! 1000 miles in I am delighted

Isn't it wonderful how many experts and editors "correct" what you're doing? Interesting tappet design with the little bulb on the end, maybe that's fairly commonplace, only one I'm used to seeing is on my old Yamaha (which also uses a small Allen wrench to adjust the buggers), they're straight along the entire length -- which unfortunately once allowed one to back out completely and drop into the case, finally found it wedged behind the starter motor drive gear. That did have the unexpected benefit of revealing the head had cracked by the valve seats -- apparently a common issue with that early design -- and gave me an excuse to fit a later-model head to it (single piece, deeper fins) which cured not only the cooling issue but also the chronic oil leak the original two-piece, horizontally split head always had (also fitted a factory kit oil cooler).

Fantastic video as always. I’ve ordered the Sealey tappet adjustment tool from Zoro tools to make life a little easier. Not expensive and you can share it around your mates who will undoubtably be buying an Interceptor once they’ve seen yours. Here’s to long rides in the sun. Keep up the good work. B

Thank you for the wonderful video, I like the way you explain the procedures and the reason behind them, this adds a lot to the knowledge. Am grateful I came across your channel.... 👍

Hi Stuart from FRANCE !! Thank's à lot for tour perfect narration making easy to understand you video! It's Real pleasure for me to Watch your video! I'm A Happy owner of interceptor MARK III

Very fine explenations... many thanks for that 👍👍

Excellent video! I just bought a 2022 Int 650, so I will refer to this video.

For my first time working with this procedure i will mark each connector with color markers to identify which goes where until i become familiar with my cycle.

Hi Stuart. Firstly, thanks for your time and effort in producing these videos. I have recently become the 'proud' owner of a GT650. However, having been a meticulous motorcycle mechanic for many years, I'm reluctant to take my bike back to the dealers for its first 300 mile service. I say this, because upon receipt of my new motorcycle, I noticed a few schoolboy errors on the previous delivery inspection. Therefore, I'm deciding to do my own servicing and maintenance. My question 'is it best to do the tappet clearance on the first 300 miles?'. Personally I say yes, yet it doesn't state it to be done on the first service by my RE dealer. I question this fiercely!!!!!! I think I'll do all the work myself for all services. I'm confident enough with the strength and build quality of this motorcycle that 'normal' regular maintenance and servicing will suffice.

The best tappet DIY video I've seen. Thank you.

Thanks John, much appreciated. Very clear and concise instruction, which I always appreciate. Like your videos very much and recommend then widely. Keep up this great work!