Royal Enfield Interceptor Owners
You are Not Alone - Check
E-mails from around the planetJust to clarify privacy, please check our privacy statement -->> 
Including stuff from Discussion page (Yahoo)
December 2001 Mail
Dick, Western Australia, Australia(30/12/2001)Has anyone installed an oil cooler
Tom, Brush Prairie, WA, USA (30/12/2001) Racing belt drive
Roger. B, Redditch, Worcestershire, U.K(26/12/2001) worked for RE - 20 Yrs
Gordon, Shetland Scotland(24/12/2001 07:03)
Ramsay,West Texas, Texas USA(22/12)
Bob H.Alberta Canada, Series II to perfection(22/12)
Jack Moffett have three engines,Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA (16/12)
David S. - Engine Modifications(16/12)
WANTED---> Richard pls contact again (15/12)
Burton bike bits from UK, specialise in Royal Enfield spares (15/12)
Jussi from Finland, 1966 and a 1952 Bullet (10/12)
John a -67 w Magneto, what is it? (10/12)
Les Power PicturesWith The most powerfull interceptor in the world (7/12)
Ron Lairdsville (PA) US., I'll never buy a Harley again. (5/12)
RE Rider Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Interceptor 1968 and India 500 Bullet 1995
tinner2u Seattle, Washington, USA, Interceptor 1970
Ray North Carolina, US: "Greetings fellow Royal Enfield freaks!!!." (5/12)
The Don - Third Interceptor Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (3/12)
Les Power also an Indian Connie Chief. (Les Power, not sure that's a suitable name for an Interceptor owner though!--"Royal"). (3/12)
Toolbox Anders, anyone heard about Interceptor Toolbox(bag). (5/12)
Phill Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Rickman Interceptor -70. (5/12)
Klaus Lackner Stuttgart in Germany, Interceptor series II -70, series 1 -67 (01/12)
Dave Cardiff South Wales , Great Britain, has an RE Club site. (01/12)
Qaser Mooloolaba in Queensland, Australia, Rickman Enfield 1969 Ser 2. with tech tips!, made some significant modifications. (01/12)
Anders Lilja From Sweden, does anybody know the colour code for the red on the tank?. (01/12)
Gene from Auburn (wa) in the US, a museum piece, 68 intercepter, three shows , two firsts.
Max Heazlewood From Tasmania, whished he owned an Interceptor.
Frank RE-Club Netherlands Do you know differences between -69 and -70 model? find out from Frank, plus and reports from an autojumble (Swapmeet).
SAM from Walnutport (PA) in the US- LOOKING for a Interceptor Tank!!
Lars Wallentin from Stockholm Sweden would like to print the pdf files, why can't you?.
Carl from OVM is the guy who created the engine sound on this site, find out how it came here!.
February 2002 Mail
Dick, Western Australia, Australia
(30/12/2001) Has anyone installed a coolerI have a 1970 Clymer Indian Enfield and a 1970 Rickman Enfield. I put a Boyer Ingnition in the Clymer and it idles much better and seems to start easier. I have an oil cooler from a 1970 RE and am thinking of putting it on the Rickman Enfield. Has anyone installed a cooler and does it add anything?
...
Re, the oilcooler, no extra leaks. However, the steelmesh reenforcement on the hoses you need to keep an eye on. The pulsing of the oil, the vibrations generally, sand and grit, could cause the steel mesh enforced hose to get punctured (has happened once for me). We were talking about it the other night, about maybe having made some appropriate copper pipe instead. In any case, good quality hoses should be considered...Royal.....
...
Royal!
I got the Boyer from Boyer in the UK, but they sent me one for a 500 Bullet. They then sent me info on how to use it for the Series II, but I have heard that a unit for a Norton will do fine as no special unit for the Series II is made. I have all the specifics for installing the Bullet unit if you want to go that way-and also stuff for installing the Norton unit. Get a Norton unit with Positive ground like the Series II. Boyer doesn't have a web presence but you can get the Boyer (I'd get the Microdigital version) from most Brit suppliers-BJ's Bikes and Bits advertises units in Brisbane.
The units run about $200+, and it does away with the points, etc. and never needs adjustment unless you remove the sending unit (where the points go). The idle is much improved and starting is better.
Dick
Tom, Brush Prairie, WA, USA
(30/12/2001) Racing belt driveNeat site. I own a 1966 Series 1A. I'm just installing a Bob Newby Racing belt drive and clutch, from Hitchcocks. I'll tell you how it works when I get my mag back from Kizer.
Roger. B
Redditch, Worcestershire, U.K.(26/12/2001)I would like to introduce myself - I worked for Royal Enfield for nearly 20 years. Starting as a tester for prototype vehicles, I moved on to sales and eventually became Motorcycle Sales Manager.
If I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me at the email address supplied (I don't have a computer of my own, but my Grandson will be able to pass on messages to me).
As today is Christmas day, I would like to wish you a merry Chirstmas and enjoyable New Year!
....
Roger, It's an honor to get an email from you. We have many questions naturally about the Interceptor. Who designed it, numers sold,(by country if possible) and any other statistics. Any known design shortcomings and remedies. If you have the chance to check out the emails on the site (in the Pit, under You are not alone), there are some questions there also. Do you think there's any chance it will start production again, maybe in India, for the interceptor.
Royal.
Gordon, Shetland Scotland
(24/12/2001 07:03)Nice site, if anyone has engine spares I need a crankshaft, camshafts, barrels, clutch, timing gear and con rods. Or an engine to make my Interceptor live again. I Have a 1972 Rickman Interceptor.
Ramsay,West Texas, Texas USA
(22/12/2001 11:03)Hi, great to find this site, I've got a '69 RE Interceptor, No.F1215. No pics at the moment, will try to take some soon. My bike is complete/together, did a major rebuild in 1985.
Bob H 70 Alberta Canada, Series II to perfection
(22/12/01, 2001 at 07:02)Wow an Interceptor website perfect! have a '70 Series II am restoring to (Ihope) perfection...has only 8600 miles, original pistons only need one part..a stock taillite bracket, have a repro but it's not the same.. any one know of any? have some interesting pics, one of Les Power's bike on the salt flats with Don Sliger aboard, and couple original sales brochures for the SeriesII and also I have a scanner.... The brochure is from England, (although not the big tank) maybe you've seen it, it's still available and I have another just listing the upgrades for '70, both original, the pic of the fueler on the salt flats is a photo copy taken from a period magazine, dont know how that one will scan, mentioned it to maybe get some feedback from the guy who owns it now, would love to hear how he aquired it.
Funny couple years ago I met a guy in the campground in Sturgis who had a Commando with 100,000 plus on it, turned out to be TC Christenson!! he ran a double engined Norton fueller called the Hogslayer in the '70's, remember that bike? Said he still had it. I'll try scanning the first brochure later today..........actually I have some others too, for '67, and some magazine stuff on the Brit SeriesII..
Bob
Jack Moffett,Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA
I have 3 Series II Interceptor engine /gearbox units that I have collected and rebuilt and restored over the years. I am trying to find a frame/chassis maker who can build a nice looking, light weight chassis for one or more of these motors.I would be willing to trade one of the units towards the price of a chassis if the buider would be interested. I have tried Mettise Motorcycles, Ltd. in the UK and they are not interested. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
David S. - Engine Modifications
(15/12/2001)This is an excellent site. Thanks for the hard work.
If one were to modify either a Series I or II,
what would give the engine the "biggest bang for the buck"?
thanks
David
"Royal"
Hi DavidThanks for the praise, If you like the site, please spread the word around, suggesting it as a link on other sites where it's not linked from today. And suggest others to do likewise. Only by mustering MORE interceptor visitors to this totally NON commercial owners specific web site will we get more information shared, just like the information you're seeking now.
No there hasn't been any replies yet on modifications.
Personally I haven't thought much of it. I remember in the late 70's how I kept ahead of even the Honda 750' for the first 50 meters or so when taking off at the redlights. Then when we opened up on the small roads in Northern Sweden with the Gefle Hunters MC club, Honda 750's Kwackas etc blasting away in speeds of 150-170 Km/hr(approx. 110Mph), they didn't leave me behind at all. No problems there. So I haven't relly found the Interceptor inadequate enough to worry about modifications. However, when you look at racing, and trials ofcourse things get a bit different.
Not being an expert (and you probably know better yourself) I would look at ignition. There is a mob http://www.pyrostars.com who flog a multipoint sparkplug and ignition system. I've heard many look at improved ignition systems.
Maybe worth asking more specific questions, like experiences with cam profiles, ignition, compression modifications (you can remove the aluminium "gaskets" or compression plates I think they also call, at the bottom of the cylider barrels for increased compression), also carburettor modifications and lightening the fly wheel. A lighter flywheel though is a bit of a compromise. There is so much torque with that flywheel and it's nicely balanced, and it's responsible for much of the interceptor character. Gear ratio is another for speed vs take-off. Improved flow polishing up intakes and then of course there is the exhaust.
Remembering that this is an engine in limited production and it would normally not have so many accessories produced by other by third parties. One thing I recommend together with the increased performance you seek, is the racing clutch(shaped like a drum rather than those loose bits, I'll put up a picture with exploded views on clutch after christmas, which I think Hitchcock stock.
The people I would go chasing on the net for more information would be the Rickman Metisse mob, as they are in the racing game. If you get some good news on this, please pass it on for publishing on our web.
Merry Christmas and Good Luck
Royal.
Reply" more on this topic"
"Royal" (and Dave)
In your question Dave, you didn't specify which Interceptor engine you're working with.
"Royal" mentions a number of potentially useful modifications for the Series II, but if Dave's working with a Series I / IA, oil flow and oil cooling improvements might represent best return on investment.
The fact that Enfield Precision fitted oil coolers standard to the Series II units indicates ongoing concern with high oil temperatures, a by-product of the integral oil tank. As for flow, there've already been comments on Royal's web site about the well-known propensity of the oil pumps to cavitate under high speed, causing loss of oil pressure.
I don't yet have the solutions to either problem as I'm just starting the rebuild of my own Series IA engine, but these are two aspects of performance improvement I'll be trying to incorporate into the rebuild. REgards to all for a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2002.
Rod "re-rider" Ottawa Canada.
WANTED
This e-mail was sent with a non valid e-mail sender address. Richard, we would like to hear more. Please contact us again. "Royal"Richard's mail
Richard (15/12/01), Chapenl Hill, UK
Message: --Amazed to see the Interceptor has a web-site and that some of the bikes have survived in immaculate nick.Some of your members might be interested to learn that Jack Lovekin, who designed the Interceptor engines ( and the Connie and the Meteor Minor) lived on until 4 March 2001.
I think Roger Shuttleworth (who built all the engines, by hand, at Westwood may still be alive).
Burton bike bits.
(15/12/01) from UKHi, we specialise in Royal Enfield spares, we purchased the factory stock from Matt Holder many years ago, we have the largest stock of Interceptor spares in the world. We are currently machining MKII crankcases. Ph 00 44 1283 534130 Personally have a MKII Interceptor, plus MKII Rickman plus Indian Interceptor, etc.
Jussi.
(11/12/01) from FinlandJussi has an Interceptor MK1A -1966 plus a Bullet 1952.
John.
(06/12/01) from Arlington (Texas) USA has an Interceptor Series I-A:John needs to clarify his model, anyone? What is a 1967 1-A motor with capacitor (not magneto) ignition? Whatever it is, I have one.
Les Power
(07/12/01), North Carolina, USAHiya royal,
say it again mate!! I have the most powerfull interceptor in the world!! the 1500cc double produced by Enz and Sliger
REgards
Les Power!
Great pictures, Thanks, Royal!
Ron G.
(06/12/01) from lairdsville (pa) US. states:I just bought my first British bike 1965 interceptor and I have to say I'll never buy a Harley again. I'm totally amazed buy these bikes
RE Rider
(06/12/01), Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaNice to find an Interceptor site. Looking forward to making some new contacts.
I have a Series 1A Interceptor 1968 and an India 500 Bullet 1995
tinner2u
(05/12/01) Seattle, Washington, USAHello, from the great Northwest of the U.S.A.
Interceptor 1970
Ray J. Hattaway
(05/12/01), North Carolina, USAEnfield/Indian Blazer 700cc 1957, Enfield Interceptor 750cc 1964??/1965
Greetings fellow Royal Enfield freaks!!!
Great job on this much needed web site!!! So here follows my two bits: I agree that the late model India-enfield stuff out there is quite prolific! I certainly have nothing against the big singles...since that was where my racing career began all too many years ago!!! Short track, half mile, mile, scrambles, cross country...even drag and road racing!!! But life really became grand when I got my first big twin (Indian Blazer 700) back in 63. Continued Road and drag racing through the 60's and 70's ( even held a couple of 1/4 mile records against some bad ass Harleys(no longer in existence!!!) ,Nortons, Triumphs, BSAs, etc.) The only bikes that really gave fits ( back then ) were the the really awesome 750 Interceptors. Gee, ain't nostalgia great!!! I put a lot of blood seat and tears into my big twin before I completely totaled the bike during a disagreement with a Chevy Impala.... After healing up I spun off into competition Harleys, Bultacos, Kawasakis---All bloody quick!!! But not quite the same as the old Royal Enfields. Eventually got away from bikes for too long a time...career/life/mundane crap... So now some 30 odd years later what am I doing? Trying to put together a clone of my big twin drag bike!!! So far I have found most of the parts needed at swap meets (plus some misc. pieces I have been dragging around for years) to complete the bike. Now I just need to find more time.... In my search for big twin parts I stumbled onto a 64?/65 Interceptor. Mostly complete, just missing headlight bucket and taillight assy, std. bore(tight), etc.....I just could not pass it up... Only weakness I can see is the Lucas (Prince of Darkness) electrics, including Battery and coil ignition. I plan on keeping the bike Standard except for adding Magneto ignitiion, and improving the oiling system...seems like I remember the first Interceptors used to eat cranks if wound up tight. Anyway I'll probably find out all to soon! Looking forward to eating some of those Belly-Button Harleys for breakfast at Bike Week in Daytona this year!! Keep up the good work!! and Thanks!!! Big Twin Owners unite!!!
Ray Hattaway
PS. If you need any German translations, let me know. I am fluent and currently working as a college German Language Professor. Glad to help out!
The Don - third Interceptor
(03/12/01), Niagara Falls, Ontario, CanadaInterceptor 750cc Ser II 1970
Message: Great site and a marvelous tribute to a great bike. I'm running a '70 Series 2, fully restored and just broken in. Next summer I'm looking forward to putting on lots more miles. This is my third Interceptor. I had a 69 S2, a '66 S1, and years ago I even had a Connie! The Inter. and my TR6C are packed away for the winter but I was out on a breakfast run this morning with the local British bike group on the BMW /6. It's my regular rider-go to work bike.
It's 12 degree C. and sunny is not are usual weather her in Canada on Dec. 2. Last year at this time there was a foot of snow! REgards and thanks for the site. Don
Les Power
, (03/12/01), Birmingham, England, Series I, 1965Hiya royal,
nice to see a long awaited site on the interceptor,i own and have some of the most fantastic interceptors and connies that ever were!!,including the indian connie chiefs!!would love to contribute accordingly, best regards and keep up the good work!!
Anders in Sweden about tools:
Your spare parts manual (Exploded views) has a page on a toolkit, IS THERE ANYONE out there who knows if these oroginal toolkits can be bought somewhere?Phill (01/12/01) from Brisbane Queensland Australia, says, I have had a Rickman version since 1980 I bought second hand. Long since O/ hauled and still going strong.
It's a -69 Interceptor-Rickman.
Klaus Lackner (1/12/01)from near Stuttgart in Germany, has an Interceptor series II -70 and an Interceptor MK I -67, he writes,
really nice this site - was time for - hope this is a good base for swap, parts finding and intersting people.
Finally maybe the reason for a R.E.Interceptor meeting.
Dave From Cardiff South Wales , Great Britain (01/12/01)
Has an Interceptor Series II, ModYear1: 1969-70 and a "Big-head" 500cc Bullet -59
Dear Mike,
If you visit my club site, ponthirbmc.freeserve.co.uk
and then
go to the links i.e. Royal Enfield you'll find my web page which includes a 1969 pic. of my old '63 Interceptor with which I started racing. I'll send you a pic. of my Series II which has a disc front brake and Amal Mk. 2 carbs amongst other mods. I know of a few Interceptors in the UK and I'll try and contact some to get them on your site!
Regards,
Dave
We have Qaser (01/12/01) from Mooloolaba in Queensland, Australia Top Beaches and Bikinis up there guys, take my word for it (Royal) with a TECH NOTICE, which I'll place in the Owners Stories and tips soon.
On My Rickman Enfield (1969 Ser 2 )I have made two significant modifications, both to do with the oil system. The first was to graft in a decent filtration system, the second was to install a circlip to stop the timing side crankshaft seal from blowing out. I have been unsucessfull in stopping the inherant oil pump cavitation which all these engines have. You would never know unless you have an oil pressure guage fitted. There is not a problem if the machines are ridden quietly but any sustained high speed work will shorten engine life drasticly because of a severe drop in oil pressure. The higher the RPM the lower the pressure. That oil guage has saved me a lot of grief especially before I installed the circlip.
Anders in Sweden writes:
I'm just about to re-chrome my tank (the small US model tank). When I bought the bike, the tank had been sanded down to be painted black! So now I need to re-chrome it. Following the re-chroming I nend to know this, the colour code of the red band on top of the tank (as Pantone code or an Automobile spray code), width of the stripe, as measured, location of the tank decal, pictures would be good. Well here is a picture,
maybe somebody else could come up with the colour code? Anders also check "Brian Koldyk's Bike at the Buy and Sell, for a tank imageCan anyone Help, it's a very good question and worth having on our page as owner info.
Gene from Auburn (wa) in the US, (30/11/01)says:
I have 68 intercepter, three shows , two firsts, 2800 actual miles, drive it for a week about every other year. would like to see it in a museium. ...and
your, interceptor site is the most awsome i have seen. keep up the good work. I will view it ofter. thanks gene, will try to send a picture.
Max Heazlewood (from the Yahoo discussion board 25/11/01)
is not an RE owner, but I think he wished he were.
Hello Michael, I'm from Tasmania Australia.
I do not own a Royal Enfield but have always admired them as a tall beefy, masculine motorcycle.
The engine has always intrigued me with it's design and features, always beating to a differant drum.
At present, I own a 1975 Mk111 850 Norton Commando and an 1997 Moto Guzzi California 1100i. Trying to find and interceptor out here is like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are some Meteors and Constellations in various forms of repair and bits and pieces but to own one like the model depicted in the September edition of Classic Bike is nigh on impossible. I have some very good pictures of RE's I can share by uploading onto the website. Best of luck with this venture and I hope a few more intrepid Enfield owners and enthusiasts respond.
Cheers,
Max Heazlewood
Frank from the Royal Enfield Club of Netherlands,
brought us the following wisdom from some sales info: Did you know what were the last year of make upgrades for 1970 for the interceptor, ie what was the difference between the 1969 and the 1970 Series II models?
The 1970 came as Standard with, Air filter, Passenger handle, Skid plate(under crank-case) and an Oil-cooling system. Also, the Interceptor Engine was manufactured by Enfield Engineers at Bradford on Avon. For the 1970 model, they took over the entire production of the MotorCycle as well, not just the engine.
Frank Also sent me some Series I photos (soon to go up) and The Royal Enfield Interceptor Series II - 750 cc Sales Broshure.
Keep a lookout for the translated version (will appear in the Pit soon)of the Sales Broshure in 1969 by the Main Dealer of Royal Enfield in Sweden at the time, L.O. Jardenberg, which also happened to be the dealer where I Bought my first Interceptor in 1973. Ok so it's a bit biased, but there are some interesting facts as well.
More from Frank:
He reports from an autojumble (I Think that's a Swap-meet) in Barneveld.
This weekend I have only travelled 300 kilometres to an autojumble in Barneveld. There where 2 Royal Enfields for sale. A 1913 V-Twin and a sixties Crusader both imported from England. Unfortunately no Interceptors nor even parts. This Sunday I will go to a motorcycle show in Wormer (near Amsterdam) organised by the Unicorn foundation. This is an organisation of all British motorcycle owner clubs in Holland. I am standing with my Interceptor at the Royal Enfield Club Nederland stand. If you have visited our clubsite www.royalenfield.nl you might have seen my friends site www.enfield.myweb.nl Just click on special request Interceptor and you will see some nice Interceptor photos. ofcourse you can publish my letter in the next release. A few years ago I counted some 166 Interceptors in the Royal Enfield Owners Club of North America. Some members In the U.S.A. and Canada own more than one. I think many of them have an e-mail address. You could get in touch with their president ( and Interceptor owner) Roy MacMillan. Best REgards and safe riding, Frank
Sam from Walnutport (PA) in the US. (25/11/01)
He has an Interceptor -69 and,
LOOKING FOR A GAS TANK IN VERY GOOD CONDITION .THANKS ,SAM
Lars Wallentin from Stockholm Sweden writes:
Message: Thank you for a nice site, I have one Bullet 1953 which I will test-start in a couple of weeks I also have a Constellation 1961 without engine. I did try to printout your PDF-files but I was not allowed to do that, who come? (Is this a swedish site?)
.. (A) Well, I guess on the internet there are no borders and most stuff is in English. It doesn't matter where the web site is managed. It's for owners world wide. At this stage the PDF files have been put there for online reference only, since for instance the Road Test has been translated and produced with permission from its authors and not to be used for commercial use.
Carl from Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists
recognised our sound file of the Royal Enfield as his, which prompted me to tell him how I came about it.
Many moons ago (-97) I came to this web site. It said it had the Royal sound. I clicked, nothing happened. It was very late at night. I was all alone, everyone asleap in the early morning. I continued browsing. Suddenly the Royal sound almost blew me off my chair! I saved that sound then. It ended up in my archives on an old CD. Then this year when I built the site, I was looking for old RE photos on my archive CD's and came across this sound file. I had no idea where it came from. So that's the story, actually. Now we give the credit to the file to Carl, as it should be.
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