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)

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A nice, new heated Motorcycle Workshop(February 02 2003)

I'm planning to build myself a nice, new heated workshop once summer arrives. I've been seeking advice on the Triumph Twins list, with a promise to pull all the info I gather together into one document and send it back to the list later on. I thought I may as well seek the same kind of help on this list, and make the same promise. I live where the winters are cold, so insulation and heating are important, and the heating has to be safe in an environment of solvent fumes etc.

Anyway, what makes a workshop great. Think size, equipment, lighting, electricity, storage, benches, the little luxury items (e.g. beer fridge, stereo) etc. For those who've built, what would you have done differently if you had it
to do over?

Bob C

Bob

I was in the local library last week and saw a book there on how to set up a motorcycle workshop. If your library doesn't have a copy I can send you the ISBN number if you like.
For "Royal" I have finished photo copy-ing all those road tests and service bulletins to-day and will forward them to you on Monday.

Rick F

Here you go Bob the title is: "How to set up your motorcycle workshop" by C.G. Masi published by Whitehorse press P.O. Box 60 North Conway New Hampshire 03860-0060 the ISBN # is 1-884313-04-3. Hope this helps.

Rick F

Hi Bob,

read your file on your workshop project...when you research something you do the job! You and I live in close to the same climate so we are going to have similar problems with climate.

My shops have evolved over the years to include all of the basics that you have covered here, lighting, security, heat, etc. what took me years to arrive at through experience you've put together (and then some) in a matter of a few weeks...proves it pays to profit from the experience of others, something I unfortunately dont do well.

If I was to add anything to your list to make my own shop better it would be to have an entrance to it attatched to the house, in other words have the ability to access the shop in bad weather without going outside, thereby avoiding tracking snow all through the place when I got there.

My first shop was an attatched garage with a connecting man door and it was ideal in this regard. Also I've found it is a bad idea to store your bike collection in the same shop you are using as a work shop, even if you cover them well its inevitable one day you'll do some damage to them with that kind of work going on around them. Its just inevitable, put a wall between. And you know you actually can have a bikeshop that's too big...

I went from a small single bay garage to one three times the size, and had lots of room left over even with eight bikes in residence, but then the inevitable happened and I aquired a collector car I had to park in there..something I simply could not have done before..now I've no spare room at all, and even more stuff to damage!! I like your radiant heat idea for the floor and I'm thinking you're going to go with that yourself as you're building it from the ground up, that way you wont have to place any rubber mats or things of that type on the floor to keep your feet comfortable so you wont smoke them (the mats) up when you're doing some welding in there...think about the welding angle when you choose your floor paint too, you may decide not to paint it at all!

Well I have many more thoughts but I'm not up to the typing, I'll read with interest your next installments as your research progresses and I hope you'll keep us up to date as your building takes shape Bob

Thanks Bob. I am kind of a research-oriented guy. My wife, on the other hand, refers to it as being anal. I prefer to take a more positive attitude towards my shortcomings. ;-)

I appreciate the feedback, and more is welcome from any others. Bob Cram

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Search for better oil pressure - Oil Pressure Update

(Tuesday 04/02/03) Just a note to let everyone know the results of my latest effort in the search for better oil pressure. I built a pulsation dampener into the timing cover just as shown in the photo section. I have to say that it did make an improvement although not as much as I would have liked. With SAE 50 weight oil and standard relief valves, I saw a maximum of 75 psi on start-up (70 degree F outside temperature).

This quickly dropped to 60 psi after about 1 minute. I started my usual test run which is about 2 miles at 40 mph then 10 miles as 70 mph. Halfway through the 10 mile section, the oil pressure stabilized at about 20 psi. This is more than twice the pressure I have been seeing. The engine seemed to run much better with the higher oil pressure so I am going to continue the search. My next test will be a reworked seconday relief valve with the pressure raised from the current 20 psi to about 40 or 50 psi.

That's all for now.

Best regards to all,
Bill

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Series II fork stanchions are AMC G15, NOT Commando.

Friday, February 7, 2003 at 18:54:30
For anyone's information: Series II fork stanchions are AMC G15, NOT Commando. Also the top yoke is Dominator, and the bottom yoke Dommie(Domintor) with extended headstock shaft (ie slightly narower than the Commando).

The Redditch event is July 12th. and looks promising! See you there,
Dave H

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An anniversary T-Shirt, Royal(Feb 11 2003)

Ford and others, but guys, we missed the Royal Enfield anniversary. In the crowd and rock and roll of the Harley Party in Sydney 2003 the 14-16 march, Kickan and I will be wearing this T-Shirt (just being ordered)

http://www.ozemate.com/T_shirt.JPG

REgards
Royal

 

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Accolades From Classic Cycle on This Web site!.

I quote: "What the world needs now isn't just love, sweet love but more thoroughly dedicated amateurs. Men such as . His site is dedicated to the Royal Enfield Interceptor and is a master class in how to produce a clever and clear website for fellow enthusiasts. Witty, well laid out and with neat touches (click on the
icon Pit to hear an Interceptor in action), it contains exploded diagram of engines, a complete workshop manual on-line, and, if you are still stuck, it'll bring you into contact with fellow fans from around the world. It's based in Australia, so you'll have to forgive some of the lingua franca, but it is really excellent." End of quote

Written by David Batchelor - Classic Bike, UK, Febr. 2003.

Congratulation Royal, not a bad review of your great site!

there was a five page article told by Ray Knight about his racer bike an Interceptor II, that he rode at Snetterton in 1969.

Best regards

Anders

-Hey headed for the big city (Lethbridge)tomorrow, there's a Chapters bookstore there (as well as both the other "city' qualifiers in Canada, a Tim Horton's and a Canadian Tire) I'll pick up an issue, thanks for the tip Anders
Bob

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If anyone needs help in the Redditch Visit

Dear Royal,
I am sending you a press release for the big Redditch event on July 12th.If anyone needs help or some more info I'd be happy to oblige.
Regards,
Dave

Cardiff, Wales, Great Britain

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A complete photocopy of the Riders Handbook (Gary 14 Feb)

Just thought that I'd let you know that I sent off the copies to your work address from Canada on Monday. I sent a small package to my family in Montreal (4 1/2hr drive from me) and it cost me $5. I send a small package to AUSTRALIA!!! via AIR!!! and it only costs me $5. Go figure. Ha. Ha. Welcome to Canada Post.

I sent the 2 road tests on the 70 Interceptor, a complete photocopy of the Riders Handbook, and a copy of the original Amal Carb pamphlet that came with the bike. The year was blocked out on the handbook with a black marker, but it looks like 1968 or 1969 under the right light. Maybe they were using up old stock or did they maybe stop producing them by 70??

Please feel free to post anything you want on the website unless we are violating copyrighting rules. I don't have any issue with allowing people to print them off, but I'll leave that ulitimate decision up to you as it's your site.

I have the Enfield home and have bought a digital camera too. I have a lot on my plate right now and I haven't had time to set up some good shots yet. I have also gone from no bikes to 4 bikes in one weekend. (My wife was quite impressed. - NOT) I am working on a 1976 Honda CB750F to get on the road for spring. This will give me something to ride while I'm restoring the RE. I also picked up a rough 73 CB750K that I want to convert to a racer replica like the bikes that ran in the early 70s.

I hope all is well on the other side of the world with you and the family.

Take care and we'll chat soon.

Gary

Hi Gary
It arrived today. (21 Feb)
Great stuff, especially the Amal and the Riders Handbook,
Some of the others are already up on the site under brochures.
I'll have to prepare them for the site, best tyo scan in and set to PDF,
it'll have to wait a couple of weeks until I get home to the family around 10th March,
where I have the scanner etc.

Thanks again
Great stuff
Royal

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Pictures of my Series 2 - Beautiful Tank Alternative (Don 17 Feb)

Royal,
I posted a couple of pictures of my Series 2 in the Files section. Hope that's OK. If not you can move 'em to photos or delete 'em. It's -12C. outside and I'm just waiting for winter to end. You guys in mild climate areas have no idea how bad a case of motorcycle ride fever I have right now! A snowmobile is just not the same!
REgards,
Don

Don
Nice pictures
Don't hesitate to post pictures here, I'll resize and optimise with maintained quality for the web size, using special software tools. Generally for photos, please stay around no more than 200-300 k.

Please try to have the light from the back, and an even background with no unnecessary objects or workshop items scattered around the bike. Your pictures are fine as they are Don. Just for info, what sorts air filter(s) do you have, and how did you come about that nice looking tank? Your right about travelling range on fuel for that small tank.

Here in Australia, it could be quite a problem, as you have quite some distances of simply nothing. I'd be interested in
trying to source such a tank, did you say that it's from India or from an American Indian Bike (such confusion some times about this indian stuff).
REgards
Royal

Royal,
The tank is from a 50's Royal Enfield Indian Chief or Trailblazer as
sold in the USA. Really a Super Meteor with diferent tinware and
wheels. We have had a couple of Chiefs at our REOC/NA national
rallies and they are a real sweet looking bike I've got to say.

I bought the tank about 10 years ago and used it on my '66 Series 1
before getting this bike on the road. The air filters are Triumph
pancake type with the offset backplates. A very tight fit.
I hope to have a set of 30mm Lectrons ready to go for this summer to
replace the Amals, though I'm not sure what I'll use for air filters
since the pancakes won't fit.

Btw, I call any RE built in India a MADRAS ENFIELD and a British
built RE a ROYAL ENFIELD. Even if it's an Indian!
REgards
Don

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Wish i could lay my hands on an Interceptor February 18, 2003

Daman
From Mumbai(Bombay).

Crazy about Enfields.. am of the newer generation though..own a 350cc and a 500cc Enfield Bullets.. amazing machines both.Founded and Manage a Bullet Club in Bombay,India which goes by the name of Inddiethumpers.. we are over 200 members at present...love touring on the highways.. wish i could lay my hands on an Interceptor once..even for a small ride.

Hi Daman
Thanks for your feedback
Why not put pressure on the Indian Factory to start making the Interceptor!!!
That would be great. Talk to media, motor media, send e-mails, have friends send e-mails.---- Ride with Rythm
REgards
Royal

Hi Royal,
Was pleasantly surprised to see your email.Its an honour to interact with someone who owns such legendary machines :) wish i was born in that Era :)
Well regarding the Twins, we had a meet here in Goa this year- a sort of Sturgis for RoyalEnfield Riders.. a first in India which we tried to organize.There met up with the CEO of Royal Enfield.. a young chap 28 years of age..called Sidharth Lal,Hes pretty charged up about bikes.. Twins are on his mind yes.. but they are down the line.. the company does not have that sort of financial backing required for it.. but he promises to come out with them in 3-4 years time(which seems like eternity to me :( ),at present they are busy making new aluminium engines.. they already built a 350 with collaboration of AVL Austria.. heard they are planning to launch a single 500 aluminium now..produces around 30bhp i think compared to the 22bhp 500 at present, still poor compared to the bikes which are in the market.. but then enfields they are..
Keep in touch and drop in sometime if u decide to tour around these parts.. youll get to ride with a huge pack of Bullets :) all around the country.
Cheers!!
Daman
http://inddiethumpers.8m.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inddiethumpers

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MK II Brochres from Ian G February 21, 2003

Ian from Hertford England

Got a couple of Mk1A brochures (advert) if you want them scanning and sending,

(see the results amongst our brochures off the Pit Page)

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Oil tight cylinder to crankcase joint. Rick (February 22, 2003)

Hi,
Was wondering if I could get a few tips on insuring an oil tight cylinder to crankcase joint on a 68 MkIA. I have installed the paper gaskets to the crankcase and the base of the cylinders with Yama-bond, (I've had excellent success with this), but am concerned with the aluminum crush gaskets.

Should I also Yama-bond both sides of these to preclude any oil weeping past the puchrod lift chambers or just depend on the crushing action of the aluminum? I am in the process of building a cafe racer which is a cross between an Interceptor MkIA and a Yamaha FZR-600. Will send pictures, etc. when complete. Any technical advice would be greatly appreciated.
Rick

Hi Rick

As far as I know the oil seepage that seems to come from beneeth the cylinder base has in fact its origine from between the engine cases. The cause is that the separate cylinders that Enfield decided for are moving forward and backward, especially as the head steady isn't very solid.I can send you a picture of the inside of my engine cases.

At the top where the cylinder bases are you find a moonlike landscape where erosion did its ugly work. The two small screws that should keep it together are allways loose and the holes for the nearest studs (close to the camshafts) are mostly oval. I dit put in bigger screws / studs and made a stronger head steady but how long this provides a cure...??

Paulus

Paulus, Thanks for the response. I had assumed that the joining of the cases might be a weak spot. You just confirmed it for me. I'm hoping the Yamabond I used, and the loctite on the 2 screws, will be sufficient to stem any great amount of seepage.

I've had a lot of good luck with Yamabond on my past English Bike projects. I've got my fingers crossed that it will continue it's performance on the MkIA. Thanks again, Rick

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Working on building a new 700cc twin REG February 25, 2003

Hi everyone,
I just joined the group, i am from chennai, india the home city where the Royal Enfield motors are currently manufacturing the motorcycles. I own a Royal enfield Bullet 350cc (no more 750cc in here) we have a yahoo groups in here and we are working on building a new 700cc twin RE. will post msg about that soon,
about myself: iam 23 studying my MAsters in Business administration

madhusudhanan ( madhu)

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