Royal Enfield Interceptor

The Interceptor is a British motorcycle made by Royal Enfield 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 lights, etc., offered when Enfield failed to sell enough motorcycles in the standard scrambler trim. A total of 158 692 cc Interceptors were made, according to the despatch ledgers from the Redditch factory, now 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 number of 692 cc VAX Interceptors is 170. The first examples left the factory in December 1959, and the last 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 . 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 strengthened 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 motorcycles one of the smoothest British twin engines ever. The Series 1 motorcycles had an automatic advance magneto and a new seat. There was a rare single carburettor model as well. It was manufactured until 1966.

Series 1A Interceptor

In 1967 Royal Enfield closed its main factory, which was in Redditch, Worcestershire. Production of all models was discontinued, except for the Interceptor, production of which was transferred to the Royal Enfield factory in Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire.

The Series 1A Interceptor was introduced, 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. All Series 1A 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 contact breaker 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.

Floyd Clymer bought a batch of Series 2 engines to install in motorcycles that he intended to sell under the Indian brand. However, in January 1970 he died, before beginning production of the motorcycles. Rickman Motorcycles bought the entire batch; installed each one in a Rickman chassis; and sold them as the Rickman Interceptor.

Series 3 prototype

Royal Enfield made a prototype Series 3 Interceptor to replace the Series 2. The bore was enlarged to to increase the engine capacity to 778 cc, and it was called the 800 Interceptor. However, the factory in Bradford-on-Avon closed down without beginning series production.

2018 Interceptor 650

In November 2017 at EICMA, Royal Enfield debuted a new parallel twin, the Interceptor 650. The modern model was unveiled by Royal Enfield CEO, Siddhartha Lal and President, Rudratej Singh. Powered by a new air-oil cooled 650 cc parallel twin engine, the new Interceptor draws heavily on its 1960s design heritage. Like the original Interceptor, the new motorcycle has a tubular cradle frame. The teardrop tank has traditional-style Royal Enfield badges and a Monza-style fuel cap.

References

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Royal Enfield Interceptor Owners Knowledge Base

Interceptor
Motorcycles introduced in 1960
Standard motorcycles
Motorcycles powered by straight-twin engines