Royal Enfield Interceptor

ROYAL ENFIELD INTERCEPTOR BACKGROUND
Royal Enfield hopped up its 692cc Constellation and created a new model, the 700 Interceptor in 1960, for sale in the US and Canada markets only (on England). They'd just lost their contract to rebadge Constellations with Indian Motorcycle regalia then selling them in the US (or trying) as the Indian Chief. It wasn't a great plan from the start, and from 1955 to 1960, far fewer bikes were sold than needed to be to ensure profitability. So now that all that factory capacity was freed up, the filled that gap with a new top-line model, the 1960 700 Interceptor. By 1962, they'd bumped displacement to 750, as it stayed until the last Interceptor rolled off the assembly line in 1970. At that time, ailing, struggling Royal Enfield sold all its assets to Madras Motors of India, who moved production to India, and still builds the single-cylinder Royal Enfield Bullet to this day.
ROYAL ENFIELD INTERCEPTOR TUNING SECRETS
Royal Enfield felt they needed to do something meaningful if they were to overcome the bad reputation that the Indian debacle had cost them. So, when it came time to replace that bike with one of their own marque, they went all the way with performance modifications over the old Constellation upon which the Indian Chief was built. These were already very strong engines, built robustly. First off, the old 692cc Constellation engine got 2 carburetors instead of one, a lightened and balanced crankshaft, hot "R-grind" cams, and a Lucas magneto. Displacement was increased to 736cc in 1962. Later 750 Interceptors were quite fast, rivaling even the legendary Triumph Bonneville in all-out performance. Americans loved the bike, but unfortunately, Royal Enfleid was perpetually short on capital, and wasn't able to produce then in significant numbers. That and the oil-leakage problems (which earned them the nickname 'Royal Oilfield') stalled sales.

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Royal Enfield Interceptor YEAR-BY-YEAR

1963 INTERCEPTOR

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1965 INTERCEPTOR

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1967 INTERCEPTOR

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1970 INTERCEPTOR 750

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Check out these ROYAL ENFIELD BOOKS

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ROYAL ENFIELD: THE COMPLETE STORY

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ROYAL ENFIELD: THE COMPANY & THE PEOPLE 1851-1969

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ROYAL ENFIELD BIG TWINS 1953-1970

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ROYAL ENFIELD FACTORY SHOP MANUAL, 750 INTERCEPTOR

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STORY OF ROYAL ENFIELD MOTORCYCLES

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SECOND BOOK OF ROYAL ENFIELD, 1958-1966 CRUSADER

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BOOK OF ROYAL ENFIELD SINGLES & V-TWINS 1937-1953

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BOOK OF THE ROYAL ENFIELD 1946-1962

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ROYAL ENFIELD 250, LIMITED EDITION EXTRA 1956-1967

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Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Price Guide 2020-2021

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Last updated 7/3/18

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