An incident that convinced me not to sell my 2000 Hero Honda Splendor

I am used to complete strangers giving the bike a look over at petrol bunks, while stopped at traffic signals and at the bazar. But nobody ever offered to buy it on the spot!

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I forgot to update this thread! The issue was the rear axle. Both wheel rims,spokes, hubs, brake shoes, damper rubber, chain and sprockets, shock absorbers were replaced during the refurbishment, except the axles themselves. I took the bike to another specialist mechanic who listened to the history, then just replaced both axles with new ones, and the sound disappeared!

Hero Honda Splendor after 2 lakh km

The odo is nearing 2 lakh km, 92k km done since the engine refurbishment done during 2012. In recent times I have been hearing some extra abnormal noise from the engine. Thought perhaps the tappets needed adjustment, but it was too loud to be tappet noise. Took it to the same friendly neighborhood mechanic and he said it was far more serious, that the noise was coming from the connecting rod. Said since 92k km has passed, it was time for another engine job. The estimate was 12k for spares, 5k as his fees and another 2-3k miscellaneous. About 20k total approx. Recommended not to ride the bike too far from home till it was done.

Trying out different electric scooters

Now I was in a dilemma. I had been planning to retire the bike and buy an EV two wheeler as and when another major job came up. I took a couple of days to decide about and sleep on it!

Borrowed my BIL's Ola and rode for a while. Tried a friend's TVS iQube. Went to see the Bajaj Chetak, but they did not have a test vehicle ready. Visited an Ather showroom and extensively tested a Rizta as well as a 450. I was blown away by the rush of the 450 in warp mode! But still was undecided about an Ev. Somehow they felt like toys to me. I couldn't feel a "connect" with them. Probably because there was no petrol tank to hug between my knees, I felt I was sitting on a stool. I didn't hear the "that's it, buy it now!" inside my head.

Why I decided against selling the Splendor?

While riding the Splendor back home, a young rider approached and stayed near my bike, giving it a look over. He noted the short silencer, remarked about the distinct beat and enquired what model year it was. I jokingly quipped it was from an year before he was born, it was exactly Y2k model. He laughed and said he too was the same model, born in Y2k. He asked if I wanted to sell the bike!

I am used to complete strangers giving the bike a look over at petrol bunks, while stopped at traffic signals and at the bazar. It sometimes becomes a conversation piece with total strangers. But nobody ever offered to buy it on the spot!

That did it! I decided not to retire the bike! I will refurbish the engine one more time. I will simply retain the Splendor even if I buy an Ev two wheeler, just for nostalgia! Probably proudly display it in the living room if IC bikes become a thing of the past in the near future!

Hero Honda Splendor engine rebuild

I called the mechanic immediately after reaching home and gave him the green light. He dictated a list of spares over the phone, which I purchased from an authorised Hero dealership. It contains practically the entire engine parts except the gear box. Plus the clutch, chain and sprocket and a litre of 20w40 engine oil. Gave the entire lot to him and left the bike with him this evening. He started dismantling the engine right away. Said I can most probably take it back tomorrow night and start riding the next morning. He will work on it exclusively for the next 24 hours, non stop!

He is working outside in open air because of the summer heat,enjoying the breeze. Engine assembly will take place indoors late night, to avoid dust.

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