A motorcycle is a long term investment. Once bought, most people use it for many many years. This means that you have to ready for some wear and tear of your beloved motorcycle along the way. While regular maintenance and servicing of your bike, can prove to be extremely beneficial in the long run, there are some abnormalities that you may face with your bike from time to time that can be treated by yourself.

One such thing is rust. Many people suffer with the problem of finding rust on their bike parts. Rust is like cancer to a machine. We have put together some ways in which you can overcome this problem and bring back the shine, keeping your bike good as new.

Important Things to Consider Before Trying These Tips

If you are restoring a vintage motorcycle then we would suggest not using these tips and consulting a proper garage with expertise in restoring bikes.

Refrain from using these Do It Yourself tips if your bike is suffering from extensive rusting and requires a heavy dose of restoration, as you may have to replace the rusted parts in such cases altogether.

How to Remove Rust From Your Bike

1. Start cleaning your bike’s part affected with rust with a motorcycle shampoo. Mix the motorcycle shampoo with water and wash your bike. This will remove the dirt from the surface.
2. Use a soft cloth or cleaning rug to wipe it dry and clean after washing.
3. Now use a steel wool to graze the rust from the surface where rust has accumulated.
4. Wait for the stubborn rust to fall off. You will still be left with some rust on the surface that you can now remove with a simple material like a scotch bright washing sponge or a sandpaper. Don’t rub the surface too hard or forcefully a this may cause the paint to come off.
5. If you still see some rust, use some chrome polish. Chrome polish also helps in eliminating scratches on the surface.
6. After you have cleaned the surface and used the chrome polish, apply a coat of wax over the surface. The wax will also stop the rust from spoiling your bike again.
7. Another useful Do It Yourself way to remove rust is to use an aluminum foil. You can dip the shiny side of an aluminum foil in Coke or a similar soda drink and rub it on the surface with rust. This technique helps with minor rust patches.
8. These days there are many liquid rust removers available in the market. These rust removers are specially designed to remove rust from your bike’s surface and very effective. It is also very simple to use them. You just need to affected area with the rust remover solution and rub in with a cloth. These solutions leave no residue behind and defer rust from reproducing again. They are easy to use, do not cost a lot and are readily available in the market.

We hope these tips are helpful to you in restoring your bike to its former glory.

Always remember that regular cleaning and servicing of your bike can help from rust from developing further. So make sure to clean your bike in regular intervals for a hassle-free bike always!

All you Royal Enfield enthusiasts and owners will be happy to know that amidst the list of accessories available for your Royal Enfield, the digital speedometer has made an entry too! You can now fit an entirely digital speedometer console on your bike to map your bike’s speed. A digital speedometer was perhaps of the most wanted features that were previously unavailable for Royal Enfield.

Installing a speedometer is easy as it requires no special procedure. By simply opening the headlight, you can remove the older analog console and fit in the new digital speedometer.

Why a digital Speedometer necessary?

A speedometer brings in ease while keeping a track of your speed. You can keep a record of your rides, which is essential for any frequent rider.  An analogue speedometer can only give you accuracy of up to one or two kilometers. If you are looking straight ahead while riding and not looking at the dashboard, you will not be able to fathom the correct speed of the bike. This is where a digital speedometer comes in handier. Especially for frequent riders who like to catalogue their ride data.

Best Digital Speedometer for Royal Enfield

The classic Royal Enfield only offers an analogue speedometer without a fuel meter. This is when Bandidos – Pit Stop was launched to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional speedometer of the bike. While the Bandidos – Pit Stop digital speedometer was a wholesome purchase with a digital speedometer, odometer, tripmeter and fuel indicator but unfortunately, it is no longer available in the market.

Instead, the R V Speedoz Digital Speedometer is a great buy if you are looking to buy a digital speedometer for your Royal Enfield. The RV Speedoz Dogital Speedometer is the perfect replacement for the Bandidos – Pit Stop speedometer.

The R V Speedoz Digital Speedometer

The R V Speedoz Digital Speedometer is ideal for Classic, Electra and Bullet 350 and Classic, Electra and Bullet 500. In the R V Speedoz Digital Speedometer, you get a speedometer, odometer, fuel indicator, trip meter, high beam indicator and hazard indicators.

This digital speedometer is chic and attractive.  The background light available in black, white/bluish and orange colors. I would prefer black color. It is a great accessory for your Royal Enfield and will surely add to the look. It is a round speedometer that can be simply put in place of the analogue meter. You do not need any special drilling or tools. You can simply take out the headlight, replace the speedometer and put the headlight back on. The RV Speedoz Digital Speedometer has on screen indicators. The screen offers a clear and bright display. Even with a helmet on, visibility remains unaffected. The screen is bright and legible both during the day and at night.

The R V Speedoz Digital Speedometer is water resistant and comes with a 6 months replacement warranty. Priced similar to the Bandidos – Pit Stop, the RV Speedoz Digital Speedometer is available and can be bought at Rs 3,500 approximately. (Price may vary)

The RV Speedoz Digital Speedometer offers great performance and is a reliable product. It will surely add value to your bike and your rides. Go ahead and get it for your bike today!

We will Update the article once we find more good Digital Speedometer offered by other companies.

Transferring your bike’s RC or ownership may seem like a long and tedious process. But in reality it is a very smooth and easy process that can be done online. All you need to do is, follow these steps given below and you will find no hassles in transferring your bike’s RC.

• Go to Parivahan Sewa website, click on Online Services followed by Vehicle Related Services. Here is the link : https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/ then select Delhi if your vehicle registered in Delhi or else select other states.
• Enter your Vehicle Registration Number.
• Click on Misc Online services
• Fill in all the details as asked on the page. After you finish, an OTP will be generated and sent to your mobile number.
• Click on Transfer of Ownership. You will be asked to fill in the details of the new owner. This is also where you need to make the payment.
• Being a government website, this procedure may be slower than usual.
• After completing the transaction, take a printout of the payment receipt. Also, take 2 print copies of Form 29 and Form 30 each.

You can monitor the status of your application by clicking on See your application status.  Simply enter bike registration number and you will be redirected to the page.

The only drawback of an online transfer is to deal with the government website which can be slow and frustrating sometimes. After you have completed the payment, you need to submit the following documents to the RTO office manually:

1. A duplicate of Form No. CMV 29, which is basically a notice Of transfer Of ownership

1. You need an additional Form CMV 30, in case the bike is under Hypothecation or lease. Form CMV 30 is an application for Intimation and Transfer of Ownership. Make you have the consent of the financier before submitting this form.
2. Original RC
3. A copy of Insurance
4. A copy of Pollution Under Control Certificate
5. A copy of any address proof
6. A copy of PAN card
7. One passport size photograph of the buyer of the bike.

Offline Process

In case of the offline procedure, firstly you need to understand that there can be two possibilities here

• Transferring RC or Ownership within the state
• Transferring RC or Ownership outside the state

Let us discuss both these possibilities in detail

Transferring RC or Ownership within the state

If you are selling your bike within your state but outside of the jurisdiction of your RTO then you need to follow this procedure. Make sure that the RTO remains in the same state.

NOC from RTO: To sell a vehicle outside of the jurisdiction of your RTO, you need a No Objection Certificate or NOC. Along with the NOC, you also need to get a Clearance Certificate or CC from the RTO. To obtain these two certificates you need to go to your RTO and submit the following documents:

1. A letter requesting the Clearance Certificate
2. Original RC
3. A copy of the Insurance
4. A copy of Pollution Under Control Certificate
5. A self-addressed envelope affixed with stamps worth Rs.30

There is no application fee for obtaining an NOC. Once you have submitted the documents correctly, you will receive the updated RC, NOC and CC within three to four weeks. They will be delivered to your address as mentioned on the self addressed envelope.

Transfer of ownership at new RTO: After receiving the NOC and CC, you now need to apply for transfer at the new RTO. You need the following documents in order to do so:

1. A duplicate of Form No. CMV 29, which is basically a notice Of transfer Of ownership
2. You need an additional Form CMV 30, in case the bike is under Hypothecation or lease. Form CMV 30 is an application for Intimation and Transfer of Ownership. Make you have the consent of the financier before submitting this form.
3. Original RC
4. A copy of Insurance
5. A copy of Pollution Under Control Certificate
6. A copy of any address proof
7. A copy of PAN card
8. One passport size photograph of the buyer of the bike.
9. A self-addressed envelope affixed with stamps worth Rs.30

Your new RC book with the changes will be sent to you on the address mentioned on the envelope within 3-4 weeks.

Transferring RC or Ownership outside the state 

If you are selling your bike to someone from a different state where the bike was initially registered then you need to follow this procedure.

NOC from RTO: Similar to the previous situation, you need the following documents to first get the NOC from the RTO where the bike was registered initially.

1. 4 copies of CMV FORM 28
2. A copy of the registration certificate
3. A copy of the insurance certificate
4. A copy of the Pollution Under Control certificate
5. In case the vehicle is covered by Hypothecation, HPA or a lease then you need the consent of Financier on CMV form 28.
6. In case of commercial vehicles, you also require a permit and fitness certificate
7. Pencil print of the chassis number
8. Passport size photo and address proof

After you submit these documents, the RTO will contact the nearest police unit to verify if the bike has been a part of any criminal proceeding like robbery etc. A clearance certificate will be issued if no such record is found against the bike.

Applying for Ownership Transfer at RTO in the state of the buyer/ new state

After receiving the NOC, you can go ahead and apply for ownership transfer at the new RTO in the new state with these documents:

1. A duplicate of the Form No. CMV 29 which is a notice Of Transfer Of Ownership
2. In case the vehicle is covered under Hypothecation, HPA or Lease, then you require the consent of the financier on Form no. CMV 30, which is an application for Intimation and Transfer of Ownership
3. The original RC book
4. A copy of the insurance
5. A copy of the Pollution Under Control Certificate
6. A copy of any address proof
7. A copy of PAN card
8. One passport size photograph of the person who is the buyer
9. A self-addressed envelope affixed with stamps worth Rs.30

You will receive the new RC book within 3-4 week of submitting the documents.

Hope this guide helps you to transfer ownership of your bike easily and hassle free.

Royal Enfield is a very popular bike. For many of us, it is or has been a dream bike. However, the vibrations in Royal Enfield can be a put off for many people. Not only are they a put off but they can actually cause major discomfort while riding.

Why Does Royal Enfield Vibrate?

Many believe that if you are not riding your Royal Enfield at its optimum speed, you will experience some vibration from the handle of your bike. The engine of the Royal Enfield is very powerful however, the handles are not as heavy. This is what causes your bike handle to vibrate as they are not able to take the power. Most people experience the vibrations post hitting a speed of 80.

How can you solve this problem?

Here are some suggestions or tips that you can try to minimize the vibrations. Some of these are easy Do It Yourself ideas that are easy to follow and will hardly cost you anything.

1. The most obvious solution to a problem with a vibrating handle is to replace the handle. Simply changing the handle and replacing it with something heavier can reduce the vibrations and bring in more comfort for you. The good thing about Royal Enfield is that spear parts and modifications are easily available in the market and you can modify your bike as and when you want.
2. Putting washers for the mirrors can also reduce the vibrations. Sometimes the vibrations are also caused due to unstable or loose mirrors. Adding washers to your mirrors will make them heavier and sturdier and reduce the vibrations.
3. If you do not wish to go for these options, another easier solution to this problem is to add some additional weight to the handlebar yourself. You can attach some metal bars to the handle or even fill them up with some sand.
4. Wearing gloves while riding can be more comfortable and you might not feel the vibrations.
5. It is important to understand your bike and its engine. When you start your bike, let your engine gear up for a while. Increase your speed slowly and exceed 60kmph only after a minimum of 15 mins.
6. Maintain the front tyre pressure at 22 and the rear tyre pressure at 32.
7. Be regular with your bike’s servicing. Regular servicing and maintenance are very important for your bike to run optimally.
8. Apart from these fixes, there also many companies in the market which are selling vibration reduction plates that you can purchase and attach to your bike.

We hope these tips help you solve your problem. Royal Enfield is a great bike and these simple tips can help you get rid of such problems.

If you are thinking of transporting a bike/two wheeler by train, you can through this blog to understand the entire procedure. Indian Railways have made the procedure rather simple and you can simply start by going to the station a day before you need to send your two-wheeler.

There are two ways of transporting a bike by train

1. As a parcel:

If you are not travelling to the same destination, then you can book your bike/two wheeler as a parcel and let the railway authorities decide the train that will be transporting your bike.

2. As luggage:

As luggage, you can book your bike/two wheeler in the same train as you. This is for people who are also traveling themselves.

Let’s discuss these two options in detail:

Booking Your Bike as Parcel

• Simply pay a visit to the booking office at your closest railway station one day before you need to send your bike/ two-wheeler, for general information.
• On the day of the journey, you need to carry some photocopies of your bike’s registration (RC book) and insurance documents for submission. Please also carry the original documents as proof.
• Contact a packing service to have your bike securely packed.  You can pack your bike yourself as well.
• Keep in mind to empty the petrol tank before you start packing.
• There will be an inspection of your bike and its documents, after which you will be given a parcel form where you can enter the recipient’s name and address and information about the bike’s engine and the chassis number. The cost of the transport will also be mentioned here.
• You will also be asked to create a cardboard identification plate for your bike with the originating and destination stations mentioned on it clearly. Also, mention clearly that it has no fuel.

Booking as a Luggage

• As in the case of a parcel, you must visit the booking office a day before along with original and photocopied copies of your bike’s registration (RC Book) and insurance.
• Pack the bike in the same manner as explained above.
• When you book your bike as luggage, you will be given a luggage receipt and an endorsement of the train ticket. Keep these two documents very carefully. You will not be able to receive your bike at the destination unless you can produce them there.
• Make sure your bike is moved to the right platform where the train is stationed and make sure that it is loaded on to the correct train.
• At the destination station, go to the luggage counter and show them your luggage receipt other documents. Once they have given you a clearance, you can go to the platform to claim your bike.

What are the Fees/Charges for transporting a bike?

• Packing or porter charges are between Rs.150 to Rs. 300.
• The total cost of transporting a bike will depend on the distance and its weight.
• You can refer to the Indian Railways website for more information on the charges as per the weight of your bike here :

http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,6,335

• If you forget to empty your fuel tank, you will be fined with Rs.1000 over and above all other costs. In certain cases, the railway police may also term you to a period of 6 months to 2 years in jail.

What are the Charges for Insurance?

• A nominal insurance charge will be included in the parcel cost based on the value of your bike.
• If the value of your bike is high so will the insurance fee for it, so be mindful while declaring the value of your bike.
• There are no extra charges for up to Rs 10,000, beyond which, the insurance charges are levied at an extra 1% of the declared value.
• In circumstances where the train meets with an accident or if your bike is lost in transit the Indian Railways will repay you the declared value of the bike.

What are the Booking Timings?

• For booking your bike as a parcel: 10 am to 5pm
• For booking your bike as luggage: 24/7 open

NOTE: In cases where you are not able to receive your bike directly from the train at the destination, you can also choose to book your parcel to the nearest station. You can collect your bike within 24-48 hours of delivery with no extra charges as long as you have a copy of the booking receipt. You will be charged extra if you collect it after 48 hours.