Royal Enfield Interceptor
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| Manufacturer | Royal Enfield |
|---|---|
| Production | 1960–1970 |
| Engine | 692 cc / 736 cc air-cooled overhead valve parallel-twin |
| Weight | 410 pounds (190 kg) (wet) |
The Interceptor was a British motorcycle made by Royal Enfield between 1960 and 1970. The 700 Interceptor introduced in 1960 was a modified version of the company's 692 cc Constellation model. In 1962, the company introduced the 750 Interceptor which evolved constantly until the end of production in 1970. But in 2017 a new model of Interceptor with parallel twin 648cc is introduced by Royal Enfield in EICMA, Milan.
700 Interceptor
In 1960, Royal Enfield introduced the first motorcycle bearing the name Interceptor. It had a tuned version of the company's biggest engine, the 692 cc vertical-twin and was only sold in the US and Canada. All engines had the engine prefix letters "VAX" and so these are often referred as "VAX Interceptors". It may be noted that the then flagship 692 cc Constellation had the VA engine prefix(on the US export model) and "X" was added to denote that Interceptor had an experimental engine. They had twin carburettors, except for some early bikes, a factory lightened and balanced crankshaft, hot "R" cams, Lucas racing magneto with manual advance and a few other weight saving modifications compared to other Royal Enfield models. There was also an Interceptor "S" (Sports) model with "highway trim"—quick detachable (QD) lights etc., offered when Enfield failed to sell sufficient quantities of bikes in the standard scrambler trim. A total of 158 692 cc Interceptors were made as per the Redditch factory despatch ledgers held by the Royal Enfield Owners Club in the UK. All of these machines should have been stamped with the VAX prefixed engine numbers. The maximum possible quantity of 692 cc VAX Interceptors is 170.[1] The first bikes left the factory in December 1959, and the last ones were despatched in July 1961.
Series 1 Interceptor
Royal Enfield introduced their all new 736 cc twin cylinder engine in 1962 on the 750 Interceptor. Bore and stroke was 71 mm × 93 mm (2.80 in × 3.66 in). The new engine was similar to the 692 cc engine; but there was hardly any part that was not modified or improved. The engine cases were beefed up to withstand the increased torque. What sets this engine apart from other contemporary British twins is that the crankshaft was dynamically balanced from the factory which made these bikes one of the smoothest British twin engines ever. The Series 1 bikes had an automatic advance magneto, coil ignition and a new seat. There was a rare single carburettor model as well. It was manufactured until 1966.
Series 1A Interceptor
The Series 1A Interceptor was introduced in 1967, with two sub models GP7 and TT7. The major change was the introduction of coil ignition, eliminating the magneto. The US models received a new chrome tank, a new seat, instrument mounts, handlebar, and mudguards.[2] All S1A interceptors had twin Mark 1 Amal carburettors.
Series 2 Interceptor
The Series 2 Interceptor engine was a major redesign of the Series 1A engine. It included a wet sump engine to improve oil flow to the crankshaft. The CB points were moved to the end of exhaust camshaft and the timing cover was redesigned accordingly. This engine was used on the Interceptor until the end of production in 1970. This engine was later used on Rickman Interceptor and Clymer Enfields.[3][4]
Series 3 prototype
Royal Enfield made a prototype Series 3 Interceptor to replace the Series 2. The bore was enlarged to 73 mm (2.87 in) to increase the engine capacity to 778 cc; it was called the 800 Interceptor. However, the factory closed down before mass production was realised.
2017 Interceptor 650 Parallel Twin
Royal Enfield debuted a new version of the Interceptor 650 in November 2017 at EICMA. The new model was unveiled by Royal Enfield CEO, Siddhartha Lal and President, Rudratej Singh.
Powered by the Royal Enfield's new air-oil cooled parallel 650 twin, the Interceptor makes heavy used of '60s design language with its 7" headlight, twin clock front and quilted twin seat. The narrow teardrop tank is stamped with a classic badge and topped with a Monza-style fuel cap. A dual cradle frame with a rear loop makes up the core, by way of a nod to the original Interceptor.
References
- ^ "VAX Interceptor". The Gun. June–July 2012.
- ^ Robert Smith (May–June 2009). "1968 Royal Enfield Interceptor: England's Forgotten Twin". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
- ^ Gary Ilminen (January–February 2010). "1971 Rickman-Enfield Interceptor". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
- ^ Walker, Alastair (2009). The Café Racer Phenomenon: Those Were the Days. Veloce Publishing Ltd. p. 60. ISBN 9781845842642.