Royal Enfield Interceptor Owners

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Oil comes up at the Dip Stick -Silver , Sweden(October 1, 2002)
Oil channel screws in Crank case or? -Royal Brisbane, Australia(October 2, 2002)
When bike is cold, oil comes out around the oil filter -Dan Neff Vancouver Canada (October 10, 2002)
The maximum play permitted on big ends? -Tim, Norfolk , England (October 14, 2002)
Texas loves Interceptors -Joe Tokarz Texas-USA (October 20, 2002)
Fork stanchion length on Series 2 ? -Mitchell Western Australia (October 23, 2002)
A 69 interceptor here just north of Trenton New Jersey USA -BCG Trenton, NJ, USA (October 25, 2002)
Traded W1 kawasaki for two 67 interceptor Howard Dorris, Kiln, Mississippi, USA(October 27, 2002)
Looking for enfield indian chief 1959-61 restorable Phil, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA(October 29, 2002)
About the Interceptor Rickman for SaleJonathan(October 31 2002)

Print some parts of the workshop manual -Edgar (Thu, September 26, 2002)
It's a restoring project for my son and I. -EODMike (Thu, September 26, 2002)
Locate bits f Royal Enfield 250cc Crusader Super 5 -EODMike (Thu, September 26, 2002)
Hello Hitchcock About Mufflers and news -Royal (Thu, September 22, 2002)
I ended up purchasing the 1966 Interceptor that was on eBay -Bob (Sun 22 Sept 2002)
What are the best Vacuum gauges - ..gREgg(Sunday, 22 September 2002)
Whitworth , SAE, UNC, BSP, BA, UNF BSW and BSF fasteners -gREgg/ Bob C/Bob(Sunday, 22 September 2002)
High output Alternators -gREgg /Rick/ Joerg/ Orlan/Ole/Bob C - (14 Sept 2002)
Banjo Bolts   -gREgg /Bob H- (Thu 12 Sept 2002)
Oil pressure concerns - Oil Cavitation and solutions - Ole / Peter/Bill/Royal (20/08/2002)

Help to identify an MK 1 (Sun Jul 28, 2002 ) -Jennifer
Getting my Amals to idle!  Good points  -Gridley Bruce /Rick F / gREgg/ Bob C/Bob St/(Thu Jul 25, 2002)
Primary Transmission Troubles (Thu Jul 25, 2002) -Rick F/ Bob C
Oil pressure relief valve and warning light -Paulus - (Tue Jul 23, 2002 )
King Kong-Royal Enfield Interceptor 1965 Cycle World Road   -Billy Dean (Sun Jul 21, 2002)
Clutch Drag and Hitchcock's belt conversion kit.!  -Karin /Rick F- (Sun Jul 21, 2002)
Shrouded Rear Shockies! - Rod / Bob/ Dave/ Rick L/ gREgg-(Wed Jul 17, 2002
Oil for transmission - Bob St/ Bob C/ Roger/ gREgg / Royal (Sun Jul 14, 2002)
How to install the rubberized Swing arm bushes Great- gREgg - (Thu Jul 11, 2002 )
American Indian Interceptor models . Royal/ Bob/ Robert S/Jennifer(Tue Jul 3, 2002)
Good Enough Mufflers or dissatisfaction? -Rick F/ Royal- (Wed Jul 3, 2002 )

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Engine Numbers and ID(January 02 2003)

hello to all: ijust purchased a R.E. Interceptor Engine #
AGZ3174 front of crankcase also 1A391 on side of case. 4759 is
cast in steering head. ign-dist, concentric carbs obviously wrong,
cast aluminium top triple tree with speedo & tach mount.plain tank
no ribs or mounting holes for badges. can any one help to date this
bike thanks

Arthur

Arthur: I can help you narrow it down. My Series 1A is engine number 1A 512 and crankcase / gearbox number AGZ 3258. I have a dating certificate from the REOC machine dating officer. My bike was despatched from the factory 2 February 1968. Hope this helps. By the way, the 4759 cast in the steering head seems common to all frames.

Rod

Rod,

My Inter is in storage at the other side of town, but if my memory serves correctly, its engine number is 1A 513, which if true makes this an interesting coincidence.

My vehicle registration papers were done with the bike's "AGZ 3284" gearbox
number, which does not help in confirming the above, aside from cross checking your bike and mine were built about the same time.

I'll check the engine number next time I'm at the storage garage.

.. gREgg

Arthur,

Judging from your engine number, I'm 99.9 % certain your bike is a 1967 model year. The 389 & 689/225 monoblocs are listed for the early Series 1A Inter, but I've never seen them fitted. Even the photos I have of what is most certainly a factory prototype has the 930 series concentric carbs fitted.

The plain tank is correct, it should be fully chromed, with a painted strip on the top.

Hope this helps,
.. gREgg

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Air filter, K&N and pancake(January 8 2003)

Anders, I have a 1967 Mk1a. Carbs, Amal 930 stamped 88 and 89. I've no idea what the 88/89 and 32/33 means.

I just checked with two cardboard templates of the 3 inch x 3 inch (76mm = 3 inches) "Round Straight" RC-0890 filters. There is enough room for an index finger between them. My breather hose will need to be moved slightly so it will not lay against the filters. These will fit, but will they work?

K&N do NOT make filters with a 46mm flange ID in the "Oval" or "Dual Flange Oval". These come in 44mm, I do not think that will fit on the 930 Amals. I came into possession of a Nort*n Commando with a dual flange filter on it. I might be able to find it and see if it is a 44mm. It sure was hard to get on and off. Anyone know if the 44mm is the better fit on the 45.5mm threaded stub on the amals?

I have some old K&N's with a larger ID flange. These are loose in the threaded stub, but the velocity stack fits more snug in these filters. I guess I could cut off the velocity stacks and use them as spacers and fit these. Putting a Vernier on them gives me varying measurements but I think these are RC-1820, 51mm Flange ID, a 3 x 4 oval and 2 3/4 long.

It is not so straight forward, but it looks like there are several options of K&N's that will fit. Even if run with no oil, they at least keep the rocks and small birds out of the intake.

What to do?

-RickL
(photos above from Bob)

Dear Rick

Thanks for saving me some work and time finding a suitible K&N filter, I am also looking for an air filter replacement.

What Interceptor and carb do you have? Just to make sure that the CR-0890 might work. I will make some verifying measurements at my carb. I would prefer to find an oval pancake type or what K&N call "Dual Flange Oval" air filter this would be more more look alike to the original one.

Best regards
Anders
RE Interceptor mkII, -70
with Amal Concentric 930/32-33

Rick, my RE2, which is still in restoration, came with K&Ns on it that fit fine. I can check tonight to see if they have a number or other identification on them. The only reason I was interested in something different was in order to have a more authentic British period look, such as the pancake filters so common on many Brit bikes of the era. If you aren't interested in that, then K&Ns should be fine.

Bob Cram

Dear Rick and Bob

The early original pancake air filter is still available from Burton Bike Bits in UK. But I amfraid that they no longer stock the filter element. I do not know he price, but I have asked for it, I'll ge back to you if you're interested.
They also got the later ugly black glass fiber filter housing AND cartridge.

Best regards
Anders

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Lucas High Output 3 Phase Jan 08 2003

gREgg has contributed a great description of the Lucas High Output 3 Phase in the Interceptor Knowledge Base (check it out updated 11/03/03)

GREGG !! Absolutely ELECTRIFYING !!!

Can anyone suggest a good supplier of a Lucas RM24. I am in Chicago. Pardon my ignorance of things British and Lucas, but what do I need? Do I just ask for an RM24 Alternator?

-Rick
(can't wait to get rid of that 22 watt head light bulb)

Gregg, looking at your message again I realized that the comparison seems to be between the 3 phase 180W alternator and the single phase 120W alternator. Naturally, one would expect a 180W to outperform an 120W. I've been told that Lucas also made a 180W single phase alternator. You have to wonder what a comparison of the two 180W alternators would show.

My Triumph needs a new rotor, so I've been thinking of upgrading to the 180W so I can run an electric vest and extend the riding season here in the cold Canadian prairies. What this tells me is that the 180W will give me enough juice to do that, but I will have to switch the vest off at lower revs, e.g. idling at lights. That's okay, it would be mainly for highway use anyway. Naturally, this should work with an RE too. I know of at least one person who has done this on a Norton and uses an
electric vest without problem.

Bob Cram

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Wanted to buy Interceptor motor and gearbox for restoration (Jan 09 2003)

Howard from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Well he lives 5 miutes away from "Royal", and just dropped in, imagine that.
Howard wants to get his hands on an Interceptor Motor and Gearbox.

Hey Howard,
This is not true,
You're not in Rocky, eh?
I work at Ergon.
Someone is having me on!

Royal
Hi
Yes I work at ABN AMRO Morgans Stockbroking. I owned a Constellation back in the sixties and am now wanting to restore an Interceptor over a couple of years as a bike to ride.

If you can assistme with any info you can ring me. I would appreciate any assistance as I have contacted a guy in Victoria and another in Western Aust. who are going to send me any info they may get about parts or a whole bike.

Howard Smith
Authorised Representative
ABN AMRO Morgans Limited
Rockhampton
Phone:and Fax:(through Hello feedback page)

Ok Howard,
I'll catch up with you next week.
Flying down to Brisbane this arvo
Cheers
Royal

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Actual Pulsation dampener modification done on a Series II

(Paulus)(Jan 09 2003)

Paulus,

It appears that you have done the pulsation dampener modification on a Series II engine. Could you describe any improvement that this modification made in either oil pressure or cooling.

Thanks,
Madmax

Hi Madmax
,

yes, I did read this.. but I am afraid I have not too much hard information, as I have no oil pressure gauge on my oil system; only a idiot light that shows when the pressure comes below 0.7 bar.. that should be about 10 psi.
When the oil is hot the light appears when idling.. up till about 1500 rpm. But the important thing is.. does it come when running 4000 to 5000 rpm. as that would be a sure sign of cavitation. This happened to me only once.. the reason being that my oil level was far too low. Typical cavition.. it disappeared when going down to 2500 rpm..

That brings me to the subject of oil consumpion and oil leaking into the cylinder head.. As I made the mistake of putting 23 Lbs on the cylinder head bolts I pulled out one of the studs. So I had to lift the heads and that was not a pretty sight in there. very oily, and that after only 1000 miles with new piston rings and valve guides. I suppose it has to do with the lack of a breather valve on the crankcase. On the captain Norton site I read about this problem with Commando's and got the advise to use a valve from Volkswagen or Motormite. I'll try this out as soon as the salt is from the roads here and let you know. If it works as it should the underpressure should keep the engine free from sweating. (wasnt the nickname for the Enfields 'The giant with the oily feet' )

And then.. I tested the pressure release valves. First the main valve.. In the original set up with only one shim of 1.5 mm thickness the pressure needed was 65 psi. That is exactly what the book says. .. I wanted it down to about 45 to 50 psi to open.. and had to use shims to a total of 5 mm. to accomplish that.
Then the second valve. I found out the pressure needed was about 15psi. again exactly as the book says. But I wanted it to open later.. ( I think this thing comes from a crusader.. problably Enfield had lots of them.. but they are to weak for an Interceptor..) I opened it to try another spring, but that became a mess. Ordered a new valve from Hitchkock and that was excellent.. 25 psi.

About lifting the head.. after a rebore I had a problem to find oversize cross rings.. changed to a regular gasket (asbestos with a flame ring) once made by Avelino's.. Hitchkock sells these and they are excellent in my experience. But you have to shave a mm. from the cylinders to keep the compression ok..
Then I installed a Boyer ignition. The Micro type with a straight 'curve'. I found out that I had to set the timing rather early to prevent to motor from stalling when you have to brake suddenly.. (Wonder if it is worth to change to the Boyer digital.. has anybody experience with those?) Or can it be a question of using plugs that are too hard..? In my experience plugs with an 'extended nose' perform a lot better than the original Champion L3 or L4

Then I have a lot of Interceptor articles.. I can scan them if you think its worth putting them on the site.. also a series of 6 articles from Motorcycle mechanics about the Albion gearbox and its secrets..

Keep the good work going!

regards,
Paulus Boortman

Hi Paulus
Sounds great, thanks for the feedback.
Yes what ever info you have I'd be happy to prepare it so it can be shared. "the Albion gearbox and its secrets" and its secrets sounds intriguing.

To save you some work, just check the brochure section on the web site, so your article isn't there already.
Good luck with getting it going.
Royal

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10 January 2003
Don't Block the Relief Valve on SII Engine

Well gang, in spite of all good sense, I blocked off the relief valve in my '69 Series II and I can now say this is not a good idea. During testing in my garage, I determined that the relief valve opens at about 20 psi and that anytime the oil pressure is above 20 psi there is a steady flow from the relief vavle back to the tank.

This flow comes through the 0.025" bypass hole in the main relief plunger and possibly from leakage around the plunger. In any case, my theory was that if this flow from the relief valve back to the tank could be stopped, then the oil pressure would be higher. This turned out to be true but it only improved the pressure about 5 to 10 psi. Here's what happened.

After blocking the relief valve by soldering up the hole, I started the engine but then had to quickly shut it off when the pressure approached 75 psi. I had to start and stop about 5 times before the pressure with the engine idling was no more than 60 psi.

Then I had to let it idle for about 10 minutes before reving the engine would not produce more than 60 psi. Once the engine was hot, I rode about 5 miles at 70 mph and I observed that the oil pressure was about 15 psi. Usually the pressure would fall to less than 10 psi during this test. I also noticed that the pressure went up to 25 psi as I slowed down to 50 mph and the pressure at idle was about 20 psi.

I think this test indicates that a relief valve with a higher pressure spring (like 30 psi?)would be a good idea but an oil pump with a higher flow is still the better way to go.

That's all for now. My next test will be installing the Peter-style pulsation dampener and I'll let y'all know how that works out.

Madmax

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Bob from Nainamo, BC Canada remembers his -69 (12/01/03)

Message: Nice to see your Web Site dedicated to the RE. I was lucky enough to roll "Stage II Interceptor" off the showroom floor in 1969. Two years later I got maried and sold it and have sorely missed it ever since, I now ride a Yamaha XV920RH, which is about as close to that old Enfield as I can get.

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Enfield rally in Redditch this year (Mon 13 January 2003)

I may be the last person on earth to have heard about this, but I read in Classic Bike that there is going to be a big Enfield rally in Redditch this year, to be held on July 12. Sounds like something to do this summer for sure! .. gREgg

gREgg, et al, I'd love to attend, but I'll still be in OZ then. Hopefully, it's not presumptuous to suggest that people active in this group, going to Redditch, take an initiative to let Interceptor owners know about this totally non profit, dedicated group and about our web site. Maybe even have a chat to the organisers to get the web address www.ozemate.com/interceptor included in any relevant published material (e.g. program).
REgards
Royal .....13/01/03

I am planning to visit the Enfield rally in Redditch UK. With or w/o the Interceptor. Hope to meet some of you then... It will be a Show July 11-12-13. A plaquette will be placed at the old factory premise on the 12th.

For more information check http://www.royalenfield.org.uk/

I planning to make a trip down to Bradford on Avon - Upper Westwood trying to find what is left of the factory caves. Have anyone of you visit the Interceptor factory caves? It would be great to get some tips how to find the caves.

I have contacted the Swedish members of RE Owners Club here in Sweden, perhaps we will be a gang of 10 bikes.

Best regards
Anders

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New alloy barrels on stock again from Hitchcock's 13 Jan 2003

For you who does not suscribe to HITCHCOCK?S MOTORCYCLE NEWSLETTER,
some great news I wish to spread: (Anders)

ALLOY BARRELS (INTERCEPTOR)
We now have the alloy barrels in stock for the 736cc Interceptors. These are a one piece alloy barrel (both cylinders cast as one barrel).

They are a great improvement over the originals as they hold the crankcases more rigidly, helping to prevent the chaffing of the crankcase mouth which was a common problem with the originals.
Part Number: 46129A, Price: 395.00 Pounds (Plus VAT if applicable).

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These barrels likely look very nice, but I worry if they fit the cases properly, and how well they will work in practice.

The cylinder spigots are a very close fit into the crankcases, which means that for the engine to assemble correctly, the new one piece barrels must be machined to have a center-to-center distance that is essentially spot-on your crankcases. Since this was not an issue with the original separate barrels, I wonder how tightly the factory controlled the center-to-center dimension on the crankcases in the first place?

The other issue is the lack of air flow between the cylinders with these new barrels.

I wonder how sensible a mod this is: after all, it's not that the original barrels are very heavy ...

.. gREgg

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Your points about that unit-barrel are surely true.

As the subject has been raised, I can add some information on how I have gone about solving the problem of the weak crankcase-top. The bottom of both cylinders ( not the skirt ) have been turned down 12 mm - which removes the portion up to the bottom fin. A 12 mm thick common cast-aluminium plate - with an extra "look-alike" fin - front and back - is then"glued" on to the crankcase-top. The top of the common plate has cnc-machined O-ring grooves so that sealing against the cylinders is taken care of by two O-rings. This solution also eliminates the need of re-tightening top-bolts, since there is no longer any setting of gasket-material.

The plate is designed to match my present centre-distance ( 3 times machining of crancase-halves) but that is of course just a single parameter to be changed in the cnc-programme. If anyone is interested in this solution - let me know, and we might be able to work something out with the guy who did the cnc machining for me.

Ole

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Electric Oil Pump! an Interceptor Pacemaker

Re. Copyright, where possible I'll try contacting authors etc.
Just send it to me when you get a chance,

Re, "Pacemaker" (below)
sounds Great, Go for it, and keep us posted.
REgards
Royal

Hi Royal

I'll scan some articles.. You have no worries about copyrights.. or shall I keep to the older stuff..?

In the meantime something else..
I read about this idea to put an additional oil pump on the tacho drive to bring cool oil to the head. I have been playing with the same idea, but with a small electrical ump. I orderded this pump from a medical supply firm. It is meant to bring life saving fluids in the body of sick persons.... and that should fit its use on a Interceptor for hot days I think.. It pumps with low pressure about 5 ltrs an hour and uses 7 watt / 12 volt. (You can go for smaller versions of this pump .. using only 3 watt.) They assured me it can handle hot fluids like engine oil. The system is extremely simple.. a rotating arm 'massages' an flexible (silicon) pipe and pushes the oil forward. It it self priming and has no problem with running dry.

The good thing with an electrical pump is that you can put it in every place and in every position you like, under the saddle for example. And with a switch you can put it on only when you need it.

I am installing the thing on my interceptor for a test.. For a start I intend taking the oil from the sump by a pipe through the fill-up opening. From there through the pump to the heads. (I dont know if this is original, but in on my Interceptor there is a nipple in the middle of the heads.. I suppose it was meant for a breather pipe..)
For whoever is interested.. for information about this pump you can look at

http://www.asf-thomas.de/liquid and look under 'schlauchpumpen'.

Well its all in german, but they sure must have an english version too..

kind regards
Paulus

Paulus,

This idea looks innovative as well. I've worked with these pumps a fair amount and are pretty effective for being so simple. A word of caution though; the tubing will mechanically breakdown after a period of time from the rotating rollers, and its not uncommon for petroleum products to chemically breakdown flexible tubing if it isn't materially compatible. Lets us know the results!! thanks.

Dave from the great state of Nebraska.

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The whole Interceptor Web on CD, before archives

Hi Guys
The web site www.ozemate.com/interceptor has recently been updated as
some of you would have noticed. You can appreciate that it's starting to take up a lot of room and I'll have to start shaving back and archive
and slim line the site within 6 months.

It will be a hard task to cut some stuff out, as all of it has its value.
Seing this will come one day, I thought I'd check if there are any of
you guys who want a copy of the original before the major "Clean up"?

The Web site has been written to be portable, so that it can be shifted easily, but there is some work involved to easily have it run off a CD. One benefit is speed. Running off a CD, one can expect lightning speed
accessing all material, plus you need no phone line access.

It will also serve as a "stake in the ground" for material so far. I was going to include other bits as well, like e-mails and pictures from the Discussion group, which will also be slimmed a bit. I'll either not bother preparing a simple click to use, or I'll have a list of people interested to take the trouble.

Cost wise, it'll be at cost, just production cost and postage. If you're interested, please use the feedback formon the web site, and fill in ALL fields where possible.

Also for the clean up, next version, feel free to constructively criticise, or come with some ideas.
REgards

Royal

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Hot Curry for a "THINDERBIRD Mobike" - Birdie DumDum

20/01/03 Siddharth Sh--

Email: Siddharths007@rediff

Message: Dear Sir,
My telecon to you. I am using your THINDERBIRD Mobike, newly bought from Meerut Dealer. Here, I would like to attract your devotion on my grievance i.e. My mobike has damaged due to cracking of time-chain, valve, and piston in unbelievable 1500 K.M ride only. I am a professional, Busy with my outdoor-schedules and generally ride once in a week and also having experience of almost 10 years for using bike. Apart from this, it is the problem with some of my friends who also bought same bike with me.
So, This is to advice you to remove this technical problem and also I'll be glad if you respond me with your developments on my given address.

found: It's really shows your "Customer orientation"approah.

Model1: Thinderbird, Mod-2002

ModYear1: 2002

"Birdie Dum Dum"
Like Peter Sellers would have said - In "Oh-What a party!"

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