Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, The best sump guard/bashplate and how to fit it! 

One small tip which may be useful. When you have finished fitting your kit, and the exhausts are secure, carefully snip through the cable ties used to secure the headers. Snip them so they can be re-used. Then before you store away your original (and now spare) fasteners, string them together using your salvaged cable ties. Saves a bit of waste, and keeps them together, making them easier to find should you need them again.

After a lifetime as a mechanic, I find a certain fascination in my retirement of watching others now on RU-vid. I really rate you Stuart for your step by step instructions, complete with torque settings for all fixings where necessary. However I do feel a little bit uneasy watching some Vloggers, doing jobs on their bikes and not torquing or appearing to sufficiently tighten fittings up. They and those that copy them could be putting themselves at risk. To quote another old saying from the trade, tight is tight and too tight is f***ed!

I fixed the RE sump guard just a day before watching this video, and was not sure if I got the best sump guard for my motorcycle. But after watching this I am definitely happy I went with the RE product!!! 😃... Thanks Stuart!!

The best moto vlog, every word of Stuart oozes simplicity and genuineness.

Fantastic thought out review and clear fitting installation. 👍🏻 Certainly looks sturdy. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

A heartiest thanks 🙏 from the very depths of my heart 💔 for giving us this awesome feedback about one of my beloved favourite bikes. I am really interested in buying and fitting this awesome sump guard to my brand new interceptor 650 twin. You have really explained it in a very simple way and I really really appreciate your support and feedback. May god almighty always blesses you with health wealth and prosperity and happiness and a healthy life full of love and blessings and guffaws of laughter. Once again a millions and millions of love and happiness from India 🇮🇳.

I am really honoured. I have already subscribed your channel and do believe me I am one of your biggest fans and watching your videos for me is just like a meditation 🧘‍♂️ for me.

Listened to your balanced review, bought a genuine RE sump guard as a result. Really enjoy your videos, they helped me when I was deciding to buy an Interceptor.

Great video sir. These videos help me in maintaining my interceptor in a better way.

Picking the RE sump guard this Wednesday , looks good and an easy fit , thanks Stuart.

Yesssss i was waiting for this video... Amazing... Thanx Stuart, cheers from Portugal mate...

Thanks a lot. Watching your videos is like attending a DIY class. Best of Luck and Ride Safe.

Another spot on video Stuart, well Done.

I very much enjoyed your video. Simple and straight to the point. Thank you

I choosed the RE sump guard too, and I think this is the best decision. Many thanks for your videos I love them. I am from Germany and I own a Intercptor in Ravishing Red.

Thanks Stuart from a new RE lover and owner in Italy! You do a great job and if I bought an Interceptor is also because of your videos.

Stuart, side comment, I love all the video you do in and around Hull and coastal Yorkshire. About 10 years ago I spent 2-3 weeks in Hull over two trips, in December and again in June. So it's great to again see the bridge, the harbor and locks, the Minster, the Quay area, Victoria Park, the nuclear power plant, the giant hotel along the motorway where I stayed, and of course that brown muddy river. Many good fish and chips spots, too!

Another great video Sir. I swear if I ever purchase 1 of these I need to find someone with your knowledge to do this stuff! 👊

I like your style. Say it as it is, clear and simple. Thanks for making this instructive video. Very helpful. All I need to do now is buy the bike.

Nice 1 Stuart, just fitted mine this evening 😊

Great detailed school of instruction Stuart , certainly had me subscribing to your chanel within moments of watching. absolutely right about the small print instructions and like you upon opening my box it too was missing two of it washers.

A few points. Simple and easy are two very different things. I just got finished installing this sump plate on my bike. It was simple. It was not easy. I spoke at my bike in ways that would make a sailor blush and my grandmother wash my mouth at with soap for several hours while I completed the installation. I'm glad I did it, and now I can take my bike places I would not have felt comfortable before the installation. Give yourself time and space before you jump off into this one. Also, thank you Sir for the walk through. It is excellent.

Thanks for this video Stuart , an essential part i think for protecting your motorcycle, Take care .

Great video..very helpful...thank you for taking the time to explain the process....one thing for people to be mindful of...the header bolts are threaded into the block and can (as in my case) come unscrewed while you're removing the header bolt nut..

Thanks Stuart. Another great video with good honest feedback. I'm picking up my Interceptor in 2 week's time and will be fitting one of these from new. Happy days.

Another great video Stuart, and some nice views of Paull and Withernsea ☺️👍🏻

Love the videos , not a big triumph fan but I do like your forthright manner and the fact that if your not sure on a subject you dont BS your way through like others ! I am keen on retro bikes and being a kawasaki fan I am considering a W800 , also being a local motorcyclist I enjoy the scenery ....keep up the good work !

I purchased this sump guard after I had already removed the complete (38 lbs) oem exhaust & installed a high mount, scrambler style exhaust (9 lbs); thus I was able to skip a few steps during installation, thankfully 🤗 However, I was shocked to look at the lower right-hand side of the frame today and see an empty bolt hole.. thinking I had screwed up led me to this fine video, and in fact, showed me that I had installed the sump guard correctly, bad memory of the actual installation not withstanding.. I can only remember 5 things at any one time: Where I live, where I parked (usually), where I put my keys (sometimes), and I forget the other two things.. Thanks for the video, Stuart!

I dont even ride a bike and I love your channel :) Great work!

Great video as usual . Yes you can use the sump guard to to support the bike to remove the front wheel etc . The only thing I did differently was to scallop /remove a small semi circle from the top of the front bracket to allow oil filter removal without loosening the engine bolts . Keep the videos coming it's always nice to have an idea of what s required before I start .

Keep being completely honest. Best review of the difference of the two sump guards! Even if I don't run sump guards, tarmac rider only.

Very useful ! The written instructions were intimidating..

Really appreciate detailed videos.. I just checked the sump guard which i got fitted by the RE service guys on my bike and noticed they did not put any washers on the front section of the guard..

now re-watching this just before putting one on my bike.lock-downs are good for something.

Thanks for this video - it enabled me to fit the sump guard and it would have been much more difficult with watching it.

Seu vídeo foi muito útil para mim. Eu mesmo fiz a instalação na minha motocicleta. Obrigado. Thank you!

Thankyou doing this without instructions is not easy so thankyou

Cracking video and will be very helpful , that bottom exhaust nut looked tight ! May be a good mod to loosen the exhaust nuts and lube them with a good heat grease before the good old Uk weather get s at them , fully enjoying your videos 👍

Hi Stuart .fitted mine today and it took longer to reform the threads in the front bracket than it did to fit the sump guard Wish I had a 10x125 Tap to tap the thread s out .used the old sump bolts from fitting the crash bars and an impact gun . Eventually all fitted Must admit a little attention to detail from RE would have been helpful I can see this problem being an issue to many people Thanks again

Stuart! Thanks so much for this video... I was very much considering the "other" sump guard you mentioned, but your video puts me much more at ease with the job. I also have the same engine guards you do... would you suggest putting the sump guard on first? Cheers mate... keep up the great work! Still in the break in phase with my bike, but loving it for sure.

My kit only came with one washer. Oh well off to the hardware store again. Thanks again Stu.

Great video, like always, thank you! Very helpful, I want to attach a sumpguard too - now the decision is clear. Greatings from Bavaria 👍

They got me with the washers too.

Great upload

Seems like a few people have only been supplied with two washers. Me too! And my bag was still sealed. Concluded they were only intended for the rear square fixing holes. Then I got my microscope out and read the instructions which definitely show four.

Stuart, the sump guard is very nice, however the black pieces that came with my guard from RE - every threaded hole was clogged with black paint. Looks like India received a fresh shipment of black paint! I needed to chase the threads with a 10mm (x1.25 pitch) tapered tap to clean things up - not a big deal if you have that tap on the shelf along with a T handled tap wrench to fit the tapered tap into. The sump guard is nice, but what should have been about an hour job turned into a 2 1/2 to 3 hour job. Thanks for the guidance.

Motorcycle Guru Stuart Fillingham!

Thank you , very nice !!

Wise words mr Fillingham, wise words indeed. :-)

Another great Video. Is it just me, or does it look like a surprised ghost from a head on view! I don't own a RE, but I am equally captivated by this series as your Triumph ones.

well that put me straight..thanks for the rationale... as always great stuff

Another excellent informative video. Really appreciate the way you put things so simply. Looking forward to watching many such videos ahead. Stay healthy, ride safe, and do keep up the good work. Regards.

Well I couldn't get it fixed like you did sir. My sump guard just refused to get alligned to the rear mounts. So I had to do some DIY fixes. Works now but I'm not really 100% satisfied with RE.

Hi Stuart, many thanks for this video. I've just ordered an Interceptor and am eagerly awaiting its delivery and the blank canvas to individualise it. This is certainly one of the accessories I will be purchasing. My question to you is this; with hindsight which would you fit first, the sump guard, the engine bars or doesn't it make any difference? Cheers, Andy

Thanks for the vid on this about to fit mine .i only got 2 washers as well and when i looked at the parts list it states 2 off .but the drawing shows 4 hey ho something odd going on there .

Another good vid :)

Thanks for this guide. Got the part delivered today. There are only 2 washers included. In older instructions there are 4. You used the washers at the front. Does that mean the rear bolts used from below don't have washers? Am I correct in saying that the front bracket has the same screw connection as the engine protection bar. I have both parts here and need to attach both. Thanx from germany.

Thanks Stuart. What size 1mm steel washers do you use in place of those original spacers where the engine bars and and sump plate fit? 10m or 12m? I've the same set up happening there with engine bars. Thanks

hello that such greetings from Chile, I really enjoy watching all your videos about Royal Enfield, my specific query is to know the size of the dice you use to release exhaust pipe union nut to the engine, thank you very much

Hi Great instructional video. What size torque wrenches did you use 1/4 and/or 1/2? Thanks

I'm going to install it, thanks for the video. The engine guard, there is one that is more separated than the other due to the design of the engine, right?

Hi Stuart I to had two washers missing Strange plus one captive nut missing . I soon sorted that out but not everyone can do this. but I think the extra time it takes to fit the RE part is worth it .very easy. That other sump guard fitted with pipe clips is not for me. Regards Pete

Hey stuart can you please make a video on instaling gt heel plates on interceptor. As interceptor has only one it looks incomplete.

Looks good & practical! No biggie fitting, just need a little confidence. 😀

I was suppose to buy aftermarket sump guard but thnx a lot for clearing all my doubts

Sorry have gone through all the comments. Once fitted. How easy is it to get to the oil filter ? Does that front mount need to be moved whenever you need to change the filter ?

Just to be clear, is the front sump guard bracket attached using the lower front engine mount bracket bolt? Thanks!

After this 1 year how is the bash plate .... does it provide better ventilation under for sump nd oil filter.....

Nice accessory. Saw another video of the type oh Guard you described and thought at the time what a poor fitting it was and of course those 4 holes.

Hope there is a motone defender in the near future for the RE Interceptor.

Hi Sir, did you change the length of the bottom bolt ? with the same combination of engine guard as well I added 1 ss washer like you on the left hand side no problem, but when I want to put it on the right hand side with 1 washer its a bit tight not enough thread to catch the nut. I ended up not putting washer on my bottom right. Still looking alternative change the bolt with the same 8.8 tensile strght. Did you experienced the same ?.

Hi, there is a typical wind passing sort of sound is coming from underneath after installing the sump gurd. Is it normal?? Or should I check?? Can you please guide me?

If only Royal Enfield offered the guard in powdercoated gloss black and/or chrome versions for looks? Or do they expect the end user to rattle can it later?

I got my sump guard installed today and I immediately noticed a metallic sound that is caused by the vibration in combination with the guard… I am not very satisfied with that change in noise… Did you notice that as well on your bike? I am thinking on using some rubber bushings to eliminate that sound, hopefully it helps.

Dont you have to replace the exhaust gaskets when doing this?

The bolts that come with this have a red thread locker on the threads. Red usually means the bolt it is not going to be removed. However if the bolts are to be removed and the guard dropped for oil changes it seems to me that the blue thread locker, removable, would be more appropriate. Any problems removing the bolts for servicing? BTW, mine only came with 2 washers also.

Stuart, I've just received my RE sump guard. I'm confused about removal of the exhaust systems. I know that the bracket bolts should not be tightened until the sump guard has been attached. This, I think, requires that both exhaust systems be removed at once. However, in the video, I notice that you only have one exhaust system off at a time. I'm hesitant to have both off at once as it doubles the chance for disaster, but this has to be required in order to do the final tightening after the sump guard has been installed. Did I answer my own question? Also, how necessary is a torque wrench? How precisely must I tighten those bolts? Forgive me, I'm a neophyte mechanic . Thanks for this and all your great videos! How can I send a donation?

while refitting ...did one need to change exhaust gaskets?

Thanks for the detailed instruction video, did you notice any increase in engine nice after fitting the sump guard? One guy on RU-vid mentioned that clatter from engine became unbearable after fitting RE sump guard due to the lack of holes in it.

Sorry I'm a bit late to the party Stuart. Excellent video as ever thank you. Just one question, is it sufficient to just ease off the front bracket mounting bolts to rotate it out of the way for a filter change, or does it need removing? Thanks again!

What size socket did you use to undo the exhaust

You make your bile awesome so please tell has about that tank grill from where did you get it ..? We need it to our interceptor

Good review Stuart & you make the whole procedure easy. One thing though. Is it possible to actually hinge this sump guard at the rear? How easy would it then be to just undo the front bolts & drop the guard down? Obviously this could cause a problem if the front bolts some how vibrated loose? Of course then you’d be an instant pole vaulter!🤣😖

Hi Stuart, you say it may be necessary to loosen the bracket when you change oil filter, so I guess by now you wille have changed the oil filter, so how is it? Just remove the sump plate or did you need to loosen the bracket too en pull it down?

Is there any reason why it isn't fitted as standard? Looks to me, it is a necessity?

Can we remove DB killer from stock exaust?

Stuart,first of all ...thanks for the brilliant video's hope they continue , What do you think of the upgrade you can get for the royal enfield (the 850 engine upgrade from s&s) If you think it is good ,do you think you will do the upgrade? See you later mate, cheers again ,bye

Not sure whether Zana motorcycle parts are available for export to UK....but here in India the best bashplate/sump guard for the Interceptor/GT 650 is actually manufactured by a brand called *Zana* ...their product doesn't hinder the ground clearance at all and is long enough to extend to the middle section of the bike.

Many thanks Stuart, for this video. I have ordered a 2020 Interceptor 650. Requested for Compact Engine Guard, Sump Guard, Tall wind screen & Fork Gaiters. The salesman @ RE is refraining me from placing the Fork Gaiters as he fears, the process might end up with the bike wobbling. He further advised me to install it after 1st service. Stuart, may i request you to guide me if i should install it or not. Thnx🙏

Would recommend using anti seize on all fasteners.

Hi Stuart. Can the oil filter be removed without removing the front sump guard bracket? Great video cheers.

Great post👍 btw, what's your take on the wrapping the tank with 3M paint protection film.. have seen many such videos of owners..is it worth it..?

I removed the guard for the oil change and am wondering whether to use a couple of washers for the square rear holes? I got the dealer to fit the sump guard and they only used two washers at the front. I think RE supplying only two washers might be intentional, but I can't work out how the guard is held in place at the rear given the bolt heads fit through the holes?

Stuart, thanks a lot for such informative videos. Lots of thanks and love from India. I had booked a RE interceptor 650, but i am little confused with colour options. My primary selection is chrome and secondary comes silver/grey. Could you tell if there is anything to keep in mind before buying chrome colour- anything to keep in mind or any reason to avoid buying chrome. Kindly help

Should it have some sound of it own while riding

Thanks, all these years later, the washers are still missing! Along with the instructions but at least there's a black version! With all the mud and animal dung on the roads here, black hides it better till you get home.

Sir I'm asking about the black tank pad.. where can I buy that?.. kindly provide me the buying link..

The black tank pad is awesome. How much for the tank pad ?Pls share the link if u hv .thanks

You sir are tempting me to walk down to my local RE outlet and buy a RE 650 - I have a Mahindra SUV in the same candy color and it's a tank J