Royal Enfield Interceptor Owners
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Please Note Some Feedback of technical nature, tips, questions and answers are organised in the Knowledge base Stories of general interest is organised under Owners Stories
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Index Interceptor Owners E-mail Feedback Including some stuff from Discussion page (Yahoo)
Return to
Feedback e-mail before November 2001
Paul Exhaust system was replaced with a pattern
one (31/01/2002)
Dennis , CYCLE WORLD MAGAZINE (29/01/2002)
Ole, New Crankcases, oil leaks and crankshaft balancing.(29/01/2002)
Ole, Pressure pump from a Series I engine that they
can install in a Series II (25/01/2002)
Jim , Waterford, Virginia, with a Classic stable
of UK machines(24/01/2002)
Keijo Contellation Greetings from Finland(24/01/2002)
gREgg Ottawa, Canada(21/01/2002)
Letter from Ole, Denmark, Issue with Oil pressure!
(10/01/02)
Ole's letter is an ideal example of the type of debate this whole web site is
about, enjoy and contribute expericences
Bob C., Saskatchewan, Canada just getting started
on restoration.(14/01/2002)
kas r/e 750., will finish wiring it tomorrow.(12/01/2002)
Dennis (fr Yahoo disc. group) 800cc Interceptor!,
Racing Clutch and Norton Brakes(07/01/2002)
Roger,A Stable of Interceptors(05/01/2002)
Gordon, I have bought the bike as a project!!(02/01/2002)
Ole-- There are Technical Issues with the Interceptor
Engine(02/01/2002)
Dick --About, Boyer Ignition from the UK!!(01/01/2002)
Dennis, New York, Clutch drag and\or slippage(01/01/2002)
Dick, Western Australia, Australia--Has anyone installed an oil cooler(30/12/2001)
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!.
January 2002 Mail
Paul
(31/01/2002)Tillamook, Oregon U.SI have a 1968 Series 1 1/2 (has distributor and concentrics) Interceptor in Tillamook Oregon.
It is in very original and nice condition. It has not been restored, but the tank and rear fender have been re-chromed.
The exhaust system was replaced with a pattern one a few years ago. It had the "Bates" style mufflers like the bike on your home page before that. It does not have the front brake drum fins on it.
Dennis
(29/01/2002) , CYCLE WORLD MAGAZINE.Message: Royal, greetings, and thanks for the great job you guys are doing on keeping the website going. I have a copy of a road test on an interceptor from CYCLE WORLD MAGAZINE , March 1965 I thought the club might be interested. I also have 2 pieces of original sales literature, 'Introducing the series 2 interceptor" and the 1970update to it . They were given to me by Sam Avellino. I tried getting them together and e-mailing them to you, but because I'm computer illiterate, it hasn't been working out too well. If the club is interested , I'll photocopy them and mail them to you . I'm sure you'll know what to do with them .Is there an address that I can mail them to? Thanks again ... Dennis
Hi Dennis
Thanks for your feedback. We'd love the road test, etc. Looking forward to photo copies "Royal"
Ole
(29/01/2002) , New Crankcases, oil leaks and crankshaft balancing.Hi Royal
Since you don't publish the adresses of contributers to your "forum", I guess it means that you are willing to act as secretary in the correspondance between different enthusiasts !? ( or have I misunderstood the system ?) Anyway I would like to thank you (again) for being able to read the inputs. After having been through the contributions, there are two major questions that come to my mind :
The first is to Burton Bike Bits, who inform us that they are producing a new series of Crankcases (which is nice !!) The natural question to ask, however, is why ? Normally a Crancase doesn't get worn - and it shouldn't break !? Is it Series I owners who want to upgrade to S II ? - or S II owners who have broken a rear chain ? Or is it owners like myself who have experienced nasty distortions in the upper part of the Crankcase assembly ( under the Cylinders) - resulting in eternal leaking - or at least "wetting" from especially the rear "Camshaft-pocket" area ?
I've had my Crankcase assembly surfaces machined now for the third time and in order to make it the last, I'm doing some radical modifications - first of all because I'm fed up with the bad stuff happening all over again - and secondly because every time the between-Cylinder distance is reduced ! My modifications are based on two theories :
Primary reason : Too much heat is accumulated in this area !!
Secondary reason : The Single-Cylinder design ! ( You don't see this kind of trouble on twins that feature double-barrel Cylinders !)
The second question is to Roger B, who used to work at Enfield, and it's about the balancing-factor used for balancing the Crankshaft. I think I once heard that it was 70 % !? - but have not been able to find written confirmation anywhere. Would you happen to know, Roger ? - or know where it can be found ? ( I need to re-balance because - as part of my heat-reduction plan - I'm fitting modern, much lighter (and shorter) 72 mm Pistons on 15 mm longer Con-Rods.)
Cheers , Ole
Hi Ole
Thanks for that feedback. Yes as soon as we publish peoples addresses, they're very likely to be harvested in a commercial or junkmail context. Which you'd notice as soon as you participate in too many non discriminate forums.
The web site is meant to have some more lasting value in the interest of Interceptor Owners than some quick un-moderated Newsgroup where too many waffle could also make it too timeconsuming to wade through. (In addition to the email address issue)
Act as a secretary, well that's something I hope to share with Kickan soon also. Once enthusiasm of the web active Interceptor owners has peetered off I hope to be able to keep up better. Thos questions are very good Questions. The one to Burtons I'll forward for them to reply to this web site, and the one to Robert I'll forward to him and we'll publish the results.
Thank you again for that feedback
Cheers
Royal
Bill
(25/01/2002) , pressure pump from a Series I engine that they can install in a Series II .I am a mechanical engineer living in Houston, Texas and I have been riding a Series II Intercepter since I bought it new in England in 1969. For years I have notice the problem of low oil pressure when the bike is above 65 mph.
I have finally isolated the cause of this problem. The 3/16" diameter oil passages in the engine block and timing cover are too small for the volume of the oil pump. To prove this theory, I drilled the suction port in the timing cover through to the outside and threaded a 1/4" fitting into the cover. Then I tapped a hole in the drain plug and connected a hose from the drain plug to the 1/4" fitting. Before makeing this modification, the oil pressure would start to rise with engine rpm until about 3500 rpm when it would fall off to about 5 psi. After the modification, I ran the engine at over 5,000 rpm and still had over 30 psi pressure. Now the problem is how to put a bigger fitting in the timing cover. The suction port is so close t! o one of the bolt holes that a 1/4" diameter fitting is the largest thread that can be installed and the 1/8" hole that can be drilled in the 1/4" diameter is still a little too small to provide sufficient oil flow.
The only two options I can think of are to weld a boss on the timing cover so that a 3/8" diameter (1/4" NPT) fitting can be installed or to put in a smaller pump. Which brings me to the following question.
Does anyone have an pressure pump from a Series I engine that they can install in a Series II engine to see if it will provide better pressure? The Series I engine had the old dry sump system that used the large pump to scavenage the sump and a smaller pump to supply pressure.
My 1956 Indian Woodsman had this system and I think the pumps have the same outside dimensions.
Jim
(24/01/2002) , Waterford, Virginia, with a Classic stable of UK machinesHi Mike,
Just logged on to your excellent webpage which was sent me by a friend. I was mildly surprised to find that we had had previous correspondence and was _very_ surprised to find a picture of my bike at the top right of the picture and art gallery. What a wonder the Internet is!
I haven't figured out how to post a message to the list so, if you could help out there, I'd really appreciate it!
My Stable now has:
41 BSA M20
61 BSA A10 Golden Flash
64/67 Norton Cafe Special
68 BSA A65 Thunderbolt
69 RE Series II Interceptor
69 BSA A65 Thunderbolt
70 BSA A50 Royal Star
70 BSA B44 Victor Special
94 Enfield Bullet 500
96 Enfield Bullet 500
I was glad to find this page! My first Brit bike, back in '70, was a '69 Series II Interceptor. I went to it from a '?? Honda 350 of some sort or other. Talk about a quantum leap! About 4 years ago I found a completely factory original Series II about 2,500 miles away. I flew from Virginia to Colorado, rented a truck, bought it and drove back home. It's run without a flaw ever since ... and is it ever _FAST_!
Cheers, Jim
Keijo
(24/01/2002)Contellation Greetings from Finland, keijoHello Royal, Glad to see this site of the Great Real Motorcycle. ... Just a visitor, I only have a Constellation 700 1960 + a Bullet Scrambler 500 1956.
Best Wishes and Greetings from Finland, keijo
Hi Keijo
Thanks for your feedback.
The Constellation was the first step towards the Interceptor. Would like a photo of that one as well, maybe post it later as pointing out the similarities with the Interceptor Series I.
All the Best, Royal
gREgg
(21/01/2002)Ottawa, Canada
Hello Royal,
Glad to see this site up&running. I've been an Enfield enthusiast for about
35 years now, and owned over 70 examples.
I have lots of first hand technical knowledge, and parts for many of the models.
Interceptor Series 1a : 1967-- Model JF 500cc 4-valve 1937--- Misc singles 350cc & 500cc
Welcome Gregg, I'm looking forward to you sharing from your experience on
this web site, "Royall"
Bob C.
(14/01/2002)Saskatchewan, Canada just getting started on restoration.I have a 69 Series 2 that I've owned a few years. I'm just getting started on restoration. I've had a lot of experience with Triumphs over the years, but this is my first RE. I've always wanted one, and found a fairly good one in Calgary, Canada a few years ago. It wasn't running, but turned over fine. The tank was painted and had some dents and lots of rust inside. I've just sent it off for restoration to a guy who is very good at this kind of thing and has done lots of Interceptor tanks before.
kas r/e 750.
(12/01/2002)New York.Hi ; i'm 63 and own a 1967 r/e 750 . have gone over this bike from a to z . my latest feat was to install an ameter in the headlight ,will finish wiring it tomorrow . regards and happy new year to all. i'm in penfield new york usa !
Dennis
(07/01/2002)New York City, Racing Clutch and Norton BrakesI'm glad to see that there is an organized interceptor owner site Thank God!! I've owned my 1970 series 2 for 17 years now and it's proven to be extremely reliable. My only problem has been clutch drag and\or slippage My clutch basket is worn, but I haven't been able to find a replacement. Any advice?
Thanks for the great effort trying to preserve this great marque. I live on Long Island, New York, and own a 1970 series 2 interceptor. I,ve owned it for 17 years, and it,s proven to be extremely dependable , the clutch giving me the only heartache.I can,t find a new clutch basket, but hopefully thanks to the club's help, I'll be able to track down an aftermarket racing clutch. I've seen several Interceptors with Commando frontbrakes on them , and was told that this was an option. there's no sign of it in the parts book, so I'm doubtful. It would probably be a worthwhile change because my 71 Fastback sure stops better than my RE.Anyone know for sure?Thanks again, and looking forward to any mail or chats .........Dennis-
....
(08/01/2002)
Dennis, glad to have you onboard as well.
With respect to the clutch basket and front brake, have you tried Sam Avellino? (781-284-5157) or Beno Rodi? (770-867-1676)
They may be able to point you in a direction. Good Luck! David
....
(08/01/2002)
Dennis,regarding clutch and front brake issues. A couple of years ago, I was at Hitchcocks in England buying parts for a Meteor project, when I was shown a primary belt drive kit for the series 2 Interceptor. There was also a complete replacement clutch to accompany the kit - the clutch was a modern affair with the small friction and drive plates and numerous pressure springs. It looked very business - like. Before I replace any primary drive components in my series 2, I think I'll be converting to belt and the new clutch. Contact Hitchcocks for the details, I can't remember the price but I don't think it was too outrageous.
Secondly, the front brake ( or lack of it ). You can retro fit the twin leading shoe front brake from Norton and still be original because it was listed as an extra or accessory along with the fibreglass toolbox which installed onto the back mudguard and took the place of the tail light bracket. My source is a 1970 parts book addition which was just a typed sheet from the factory. I believe both parts were to be standard equipment on the 800cc Interceptor which never made it to production. Roger.
....
Hi Dennis There should have been a file attached to your email. But anyways, check out the site, I;ve put up a picture of my special clutch. No it's not belt driven. Maybe the belt driven one also has splines like the one you can check out at
http://www.ozemate.com/interceptor/mex1c.htm
Royal
Roger
(05/01/2002) (from our Yahoo discussion group)I've just come across this site - I really am very impressed ! I'm looking forward to some good correspondance on the subject of the venerable Interceptor. Anyone currently aware of over size piston and Cross ring availability situation? I'm about to embark on the winter re-build of the '67 Mk1A.
1) I have a '67 Mk1a, I know the tank should be blue ( poss. polychromatic blue? ) I need a paint code for an accurate colour match. Please help.
2) The Mk1a was produced from Oct '67 to Sep '68 prior to the introduction of the Ser2. Question - 2 models of Mk1a were produced, the GP7 Road Racer and the TT7 Road Scrambler. Anyone know how many of each were built? I believe total production was about 1000 units.
3)I'd like to know how many Mk1a and Series 2 machines are still out there.Please post your numbers.
Here's my interceptor stable:
1967 Mk1A Road Racer # 1a275
1969 Ser2 # 1b1599
1969 Ser2 # 1b1336 (engine only)
1970 Ser2 # 1b2012 ( I used to own this bike, is now on display in National Motorcycle Museum in England ).
"Yes Roger, that's the idea, I'll collect this from our feedback page and post it on the world map site, Royal"
Gordon
(02/01/2002) I have bought the bike as a project!!(Followup from December)
Hi, thanks for the contact, I have bought the bike as a project it has already had several owners in this state, my best guess it is the big end went it through a rod and damaged the barrel. The crank and barrels would have been sent to a machine shop on the mainland of Scotland (I live on an island) an never collected around 12 /15years ago.
Unusually no one remembers the bike on the road up here, someone thinks it was raced. I hope that a whole engine might be available somewhere as there seems to be more engines than bikes. I remember the adds in Cycle magazine offering brand new engines in the early seventies, someone must have bought them to build specials or as a spare and never used them. I live in hope ! Gordon.
Hi Gordon, quite a tale you've got there. Let's hope you get hold of an engine. There is a guy amongst those who've sent feedback, who has three engines, not sure if he's prepared to part with any of them but I'll check.
Cheers Royal
Ole
(02/01/2002) Technical Issues with the Interceptor Engine!!Hej Royal
Tak for din hilsen ! - and thanks for a great Interceptor homepage.
Tried to enter the discussion group, but gave up after beeing driven around in yahoo-circles with numbers and passwords and God knows what. Michael, I also own a Gilera Saturno and for this bike there is a "forum" in Germany that works real great. You may want to check it out at " www.gileraclub.de " - go to "forum-news". Also "service" contains detailed technical stuff ( HP - " aus garagen"). Might serve as a model or inspiration ?
My Rickmann is an import from UK . I bought the S II engine in 69 or 70 from Rickmann ( one of the 200) to mount in my 53 Meteor that had broken its Crankshaft. After riding this wobbly outfit a couple of seasons, I managed to find a Rickmann rolling chassis ( engine totally wrecked) from a small time dealer in the outskirts of London. So my Rickmann is not one of those we could admire at Jardenbergs in Malmų but a "peiced-together" specimin.
I love the engine for its bottom torque ( 93 mm stroke !), sound and looks, but have of course discovered and tried to fix its long number of shortcomings :
- Oil pump cavitation !?
- Crank Oil Seal ( fix = Commando seal + Circlip)
- Cylinder wear
- Crankcase distortion below Cylinder Base
- Clutch
- Gear Wheel pitting
-
The list is - as you must know - much longer, but these are the main points that I would love to discuss with fellow S II owners who are technically active.
Best regards
Ole
==== Hi Ole,
Re discussion group, I know what you mean now, I tried to enter as a new user and it was pretty confusing. Maybe there is something wrong, I'll try again efter the silly season. Good feedback re technical issues. I'll put that up on our web as soon as I get back down to Melbourne next week. About "- Crank Oil Seal ( fix = Commando seal + Circlip) "
Which seal are you talking about?
Is it the seal on the crankshaft, left side, just inside the front primary transmission sprocket? See http://www.ozemate.com/interceptor/me4.htm illustration part No 13? By the way, I have a couple of Rickman photos on the site now, amongs e-mail and user stories and in Art (Photo gallery) Yes I have a couple of ideas on discussion forum that I need to look at, I'll check out your suggestions as well.
All the Best
Royal
==== Royal!
It's the small oil-feed Seal in the Timing Cover, I'm referring to. I've seen ( in my own engine - which I've had from new and always handled with care) the original seal pressed into the Pump worm gear and made into minced-metal and rubber !
Not a pretty sight !! So I've re-machined the Cover to house the Commando Seal ( slightly bigger OD) and made a Circlip groove to lock it. I have a drawing describing the operation if you are interested.
The big (external) Crank Seal in the drive side ( mounted in the Inner Drive Casing) has been ok - as far as I know. Being in the process of changing the primary drive to Belt + Dry Coupling, however, I'll know for sure next season if this seal works as we think it does. Take care Ole
Hi Ole
Ok, that makes more sense, with the oil pressure there and all. This is interesting stuff which I'll include for comments from others to share. See what experience others have on this point. Personally, I guess I have been lucky, haven't had any problems with this part. If you have a drawing though I'd love to include it on the web page, is it possible for you to scan that in? Cheers Royal
Dick
(01/01/2002) Boyer Ignition from the UK!!(from this question)
Hi Dick
Thanks for you feedback It sounds really interesting with the Boyer Ignition Where did you buy it from and how much? Any description how it differes from the original, what are the components, any web address? or shop ref. We're in Brisbane and I work in Melbourne. Cheers
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
Dennis, New York
(30/12/2001) Clutch drag and\or slippageHello, my name is dennis. I just joined in. I'm glad to see that there is an organized Interceptor owner site Thank God!! I've owned my 1970 series 2 for 17 years now and it's proven to be extremely reliable. My only problem has been clutch drag and\or slippage My clutch basket is worn, but I haven't been able to find a replacement.
Any advice?
There is another interceptor in my area, I'll try to track him down and let him know about your website.
I'm new on the computer, so please bear with me . Hope to hear from you soon. thanks....Dennis
New York city, long island
Series2 interceptor - 1970
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