Royal Enfield Interceptors, Old vs new. From an owners perspective.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2023
- Just a comparison of the new 650 Interceptor and an original 1970 Mk2 750 Interceptor. (Yes, I know, I should have said 270 degree crank for the 650, not 170!) A bit of Royal Enfield Interceptor history thrown in too! Like and subscribe if you like this sort of thing!
Afternoon. Ive been dropping bye for a while and enjoy your vids. I bought a lovely 06 500 chrome bullet with the inheritance my mother left me. It was one of those bikes i couldnt fault to look at. It was during lockdown and finances dictated that I sold it. I never even rode it one inch. That will be my eternal regret! I have since bought a red framed bullet trials. I have an 07 Bonneville from new that I,m going to sell to finance some old iron which I prefer these days. Ive got the hots for that Connie that Andy has at the minute. Keep em coming matey its pleasurable viewing. Regards Stuart Bell from up North.
@grandadsfishingboat7455 i think that Connie sold some time back. Nothing stays in his showroom long!
Back in the day and I was there the Norton Commando ran a 12-7 in the quarter the Triumph Trident ran a 12-3 nothing got into the 11.
cycle world tested one in 1965,recording 13.8secs,the retest in 1969 found the bike to be slower, cycle world in 2019 tested the new 650 at 13.89secs and 96mph,pretty much the same as kawasaki w800, the problem i see with the new bikes is excess of weight, my gt650 is about 20kg or more lighter, changing the battery alone saved 4.3kg,thanks for the video
Excess weight is the great enemy of fast 1/4 times in every category!😁
You are so right about gearboxes now! We are saddled with six speeds which makes riding a pain - change, change, change......The reason is lack of flywheel weight on modern engines, to allow them to rev quicker, so that as soon as you close the throttle you have to change down, it is like hitting the brakes.
I am glad I am not alone Colin!
I think the w800 has loads more torque.
Totally agree , technically 'motorcycles' but nothing compared to what they were . Dave nz
@@kdsowen2882 We live in a world of restricted, strangled vehicles, most of which are pretty boring!😁
I'm only here for the cats 😸, great video, Agree about the gearing, I find I am riding around in 3rd or 4th in town most of the time which makes for a smooth enjoyable ride, only get into sixth on longish straight roads, Plenty of oomph up to 90 when needed.👍
@aladinfox4098 I have geared mine up 1 tooth on the gearbox sprocket, just brings the revs down a bit and makes it good for longer distances
a mate bought one of the new ones and liked it, I asked him if he had seen an original mk 2 and he hadn't so we went to the national motorcycle museum to see their mk 2 and he was blown away and agreed the looks of the modern bike isn't a patch on the mk 2
They are very different bikes!
They struggled to sell them in the early 70s - the roads were flooded with Bonnies and a handful of Tridents and Commandos. Looking at them now, they look amazing as do BSAs and other bikes we youth didn't consider sexy in 1976.
Interceptor production ended in 1970 even though Enfield Precision had full order books and couldn't make them quickly enough. Just about every one of them was destined for export
Very interesting video; thanks. Never had a RE but they have quite taken my fancy; think I'm going to learn a lot from your channel. I am returning to the UK after many years abroad, and, being of a certain age, am considering RE as my 'last' bike. I like the Interceptor, but like you said, that new seat doesn't float my boat too much. Super Meteor perhaps... Thanks again.
Pity the in 1970 the prototype 800cc they were testing didn't come up.
Your tank with black stripe is RE Glitter & Dust & I got a all black tank which is called
Mk 3.
The new Interceptor will ton up stock just with 88kg on it & with slip on's ton up easy & do 165kg & this is at altitude not sea level.I had S&S slip on's on mine & sounded awesome & 6kg lighter.With 2-2 big bore headers as well be another 4kg lighter so 10kg with both & go 170kmh & 2-1 go 175-180kmh & 2-1 is another 3kg lighter than 2-2 headers so 2-1 13kg lighter.650 High compression pistons & cam upgrade have it rev out & a Powertronic piggy back will extend rev limiter & retain smooth gearbox as 865 big bore has trouble getting neutral & is clunky gearbox.
1970 Mk2 Bradford mine built bike fantastic a real treat.
The 865 big bore sounds good but doesn't end with just buying the kit. You then need the big bore headers and an upgraded clutch and the Dynojet. it all starts adding up to pretty expensive!
@@ruahinesrider 👍👍👍
@@Volcanicbrown1878 Sure does Headers Slip on's or 2-1 & air filter & fuel X should be enough for most without cracking engine open.
Thanks so much for posting this thoughtful video on the Interceptor, old and new. I've only had the opportunity to ride the new version. Interesting to hear the old one was capable of 120mph!! It would be a steep hill with a strong tailwind before you'd get the new one anywhere near that speed.
Thankyou! Maybe I was a little harsh on the new one! But I think you can tell from the vid that I do love the old Mk2!😁
Excellent critique, really enjoyed your video & your thoughts on the new 650...thanks
Thankyou Richard! Glad you enjoyed it!
They had two factories in Bradford on Avon i believe, the old Wilkins brewery & the Westwood quarry site.
Norton-Villiers took over Royal Enfield & Velocette had the spare parts division.
They did indeed have the two factories! It's funny you mention NVT's take over of Enfield, as I am going to make an upcoming video on that exact subject and the REAL reason why Enfield Precision were finished off!
Absolutely brilliant 😊 love it 😊
Thankyou MrT! That means a lot to me!
Thankyou that was very informative love the old british bikes and the new and the input you share...
Lots of mumbling and a bad quality video!🤣😁
There is a place for the new Interceptor. It appears to be a good value for the money and from what I have heard, the owners are generally pleased with them. That being said, they are not for me. I saw my first Interceptor on a street corner in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1970. I was 17 and fell in love with it. It took me until 1999 to finally acquire a 1969 S2 Interceptor. I now have three of them.
Excellent Rick! I think the modern Interceptors do have a place in the market but they are just so different to the originals that it's not really fair to make a comparison. I have 3 original Inters too, a 61 Mk1, a 67 Mk1A and the 70 Mk 2. I bought the Mk1A from the States late last year, from Baxter Cycles, Marne, Iowa. Not cheap, but fairly original one owner, low mileage bike. and then shipped it across the pond. Going to do a vid on it soon!
Great info Keep it up.
I've never owned an early Interceptor but wish I had, especially the refined Mk2. Always thought that engine was one of the most beautiful looking of any motorcycle. I did own a couple of Nortons though, and I can relate to your comment regarding four speed transmissions and the torque of the old bikes. In the contemporary scheme of things I suppose Royal Enfield could have done worse. These days you couldn't really expect them to build a long-stroke, 360 degree engine (though I'd love to see it!). I suppose the Kawasaki W800, as a modern retro-bike, came a little closer to that ideal, down to the chrome fenders. Anyway, enjoyed your video and look forward to seeing your work progress on the new bike.
I think they are a very underated bike They were not seen much in the UK as the export market swallowed up the limited production.Thanks for watching and for the comment
Good comparison of two nice bikes. I prefer the original but then I do love riding my 1960 BSA Super Rocket 650. Cheers👍
The A10's were good solid reliable bikes, I had an A10 gold flash when I was 17 and later on a Road Rocket. I hankered after an RGS, but never got one! I liked the Beezers because they weren't Triumphs! I had a lot of oily, unreliable Triumph's in my youth! 🤫😁😁
It's the stroke length of the 650, the shorter the stroke the higher rev it makes power.
Exactly!
A bought 2021 model int in2021 changed alot ove things on it great bike to ride jove it
Great video . I ride a W650 5-speed (and an 82 XV1000 TR1 ) The W650 hardly-needs 5th-gear and won't go over the-ton without winding it out fully in 4th . It's much-more fun to ride it as a 4spd ! Years-ago I had the opportunity to buy a Royal-Enfield Rickman Mattise 750 , it was one of the-best-bikes I've ever-ridden (and I've owned over 50 ). I kick myself now . Nothing feels like those old torquey long-stroke 360-motors . The W is the-closest modern-offering that I've experienced and it has a kicker . My two cats were having a fight earlier (mother and son also ) made me laugh seeing yours . Dave nz
Thanks! I have had my eye on buying a Rickman Interceptor for quite a few years now, Just don't see many turning up for sale these days! I have never ridden a W650, so probably don't know what I am missing! Cats, When the black and white one was a kitten he would constantly wrestle with the mother, now they just about tolerate each other, but growl and hiss at each other at every opportunity!😁😁😁
Nice !
Finally, a vid that understands proper bikes, and the retro copies that are just not understood as poor examples of the originals.
People tell me the air cooled Hinkley 865 twins are the same compared to a well sorted Meriden 650-750 twin, ie gutless and soulless.
Well. in the Case of the Interceptors from India They are only similar in name only to the originals. In other respects they are a thoroughly modern bike and they should be viewed as such!
@@Volcanicbrown1878 just like a 2020 Hinkley Bonneville and a 1970 Meriden Bonneville then.
Chalk and cheese, the same in name only.
@@michaelhayward7572 I think that's about the size of it. yes!
Just passed 35,000 miles on my 2019 I bought in San Diego California. You're right it doesn't need 6 speeds at all. It's a docile performance engine but 100 mph max is enough. It runs perfectly at 46C and up to 10,232 ft so far
That's the highest mileage I have heard of yet for a 650! Long may it continue😊👍👍
@@Volcanicbrown1878 I live on a mountain in southern California called Palomar mt. It's between urban areas of Los Angeles San Diego and the desert. The surrounding roads are perfect for aimless riding which I do a lot of.
@@burtvhulberthyhbn7583 Sounds idyllic! Good weather most of the time I expect too!😁😁
@@Volcanicbrown1878 well I'm actually a Kings subject, a Canadian. A refugee from the "great white north". And yes weather is ideal. Although I'm above 5,000 ft just 6 miles down at 2800 ft there's orange groves and here we are with 3-4 ft of snow last winter
@@burtvhulberthyhbn7583 I guess that with everything good, there comes a little bad!😊
Very interesting. I also have a collection of Royal Enfield's Only 6 at the present time. None older than 2015 I'm afraid but i do love the continuity of classic lines the Enfield's Have. I have had Triumphs Harleys etc but think i will be sticking with Enfield, unless a true classic comes my way which i feel able to maintain as it deserves. Looking forward to more vids. Cheers Lester from Australia.
Thanks Lester! A man after my own heart!😁😁😁
Nice comparison! I'm old school too and to me the original Interceptor looks so much better although the new one does look good but it should have been fitted with a kick start and they should have kept the timing and primary sides as the original ....... in my opinion. Anyway, the new interceptor looks heaps better than that new BSA!!
I agree with all you have said! They, (Royal Enfield ) should have designed the new engine upright instead of sloping it forward, it looks like the old Honda super dream engine! 😁
Great video 🏍🇬🇧👍
Thankyou Kenneth!
Great comparison, I have just clocked 20000 miles on my Interceptor. Only real problem was the regulator/rectifier which was replaced under warranty.
Great to hear of Interceptors clocking up some miles!
The old motorcycles are rebuiltable forevermore
As long as Hitchcocks keep producing new parts!😁
On my 2019 650, I added the Tech Bike Parts NDA air filter and the Hitchcock's stubby muffler. The combo has given the modern girl a new lease on life- a bit louder inlet roar and a decent boom and burble and blast exhaust, and a fair bit more torque and HP. It was a bit "Flat" before the changes.
I forgot to put in the video that I have put the DNA air filter in as well! I didn't notice any difference in performance by fitting it or the Enfield Precision pipes, but it does sound better than standard. I have the Fuel x kit to fit next so we will see what difference that makes!
The coils are accessed from under the seat. Remove seat/mudguard assembly, then the two bolts holding the top cover plate over the coils.
Yes that's correct! For the video I had replaced the seat and rear mudguard,. The reason I need to remove the plate behind the battery, the one the coils are attached to, is because someone has riveted the coil mounts to the plate!
Ah, I did wonder how someone with so many Inters could miss that. Allan H. showed me how US owners used to bend the sides of the battery plate assy to access the gubbins. Sorry to have tarred you with that brush. I fitted a twin spark coil instead of the two separate coils recently to my IA. Slightly less weight & less fasteners required. @@Volcanicbrown1878
TAYM was right, Interesting vid, looking foward to the next one.
Thankyou!😁
Good comparison, who needs gear indicators? Just count and feel what gear you need. I've never had a bike with it on or needed it in 30 years of riding 😊
Trouble is with a 6 speed, you tend to loose count! I just check the rev counter and if its lower than the speedo, then your in 6th!🤔😁
Great video Dave 👍
Thanks Willie!
Don't get me wrong I love the old British motorcycles and I won't have nothing to do with the new stuff it ain't the same you can't even compare it
Very interesting video mate, have a 2021 interceptor myself and I get what you say about the 6 speed gear box , even my old 1978 kawasaki Z1000 only has 5 gears much better , come to think of it my 1995 triumph speed triple has only 5 gears again much better, anyway I'm rambling on as I say interesting video , love your old interceptor and that seat looks so comfy compared to the modern one , anyway keep at it mate .
Thanks for subscribing! I have come to the conclusion that modern folk love lots of gears!😁
Another lovely video Mr Brown,
I did exactly the same thing researched it talked to people read write ups and bought it. 2020 model and I totally agree 6 speed gear box is unnecessary, totally devoid of that old British vibration footpegs in the wrong position more like a Japanese bike and the fuel tank small capacity and shaped like a bloody triumph tank, what was wrong with the old shape nothing.
As for tyres I am running K81 front and rear, because of that 270 degree firring order it fires like a V Twin it will break traction, if you're wondering top speed is 180 KMPH.
Me personally I would like to drop the 850 kit in mine and tickle it upwards towards 1000cc . Any thoughts, keep up the good work cheers 👍
I too am pondering about the 865 kit, trouble is it doesn't end there, you need to upgrade the clutch too and they are not cheap either!
One very important similarity with both engines.Unlike most twins these have 4 main bearings not 2.This made the 1970 model much superior to the competition.
My 70 Mk2, My 67 Mk1A, My 61 Mk1 and my 60 Meteor Minor all Have two main bearings. A ball race on the drive side and a roller bearing on the timing side, no bearings in the centre of the crankshaft as that is where the massive flywheel is. Where Royal Enfield really did score points was that the crankshafts were all Dynamically balanced, which made them incredibly smooth straight from the factory.
And a dynamically balanced crank as factory spec, so very smooth for a 360 degree parallel twin.
@@michaelarchangel1163 Yes! I forgot to mention that in the vid and also that the new Inter has balance shafts!
May I ask what ignition type you used? How many degrees of advance at 3000RPM & at 5000RPM? Having thoughts about mine overadvancing above 3000 with the Pazon unit.
Its the Wassel vape kit. Got one on the Meteor Minor too. The A and R is programed in the black box and the instructions say it's 10 degrees at 2000rpm, I just fit it, line the marks up on the stator, start it and then check the lines on the alternator with a strobe They seem happy enough! With points ,i could set the timing bang on but it would be over advanced and would pink if any load was put on the engine so I would keep backing the timing off till the pinking went away. Traced to a bad A&R. I think 28-31 degrees total advance is somewhere in the right county.
@@Volcanicbrown1878 Aye 32 degrees is the figure for IAs and S2s, but my unit carries on advancing above 3000rpm. Not sure that is such a good thing. OK on the Atlas & Commandos but the longer stroke of the RE twins might not be right for it. Hard to hear pinking with the racket the valve gear makes, but I don't think it is pinking. Was considering retarding by 2 degrees and see how it goes.
@@carolynmarshall3598 2 degrees won't hurt it or make much difference to performance I wouldn't have thought. The Vape kit seems to be at full advance by 3000rpm and then no more, They have a good reputation and are made in CZ.
That 2019 Interceptor is doing 60mph at 4000 RPM that seems ok , I was wondering what the RPM / MPH was on my 2022 350 classic as it's not fitted with a rev counter ?.
@alanjones32 It's a 2022 Interceptor with the 2019 style tank. In 6th gear it runs 3500rpm at 60....I have geared it up 1 tooth on the gearbox sprocket. On your 350 classic, the rev limiter is set to around 5000rpm. Unless you are riding it down a steep hill with a tail wind, You are not going to hit the limiter!
Gimme the original anytime 😊 I’ve not ridden the original but would love to one day 😊
I’ve ridden the new one ☝️ very nice
If you get the chance, try an original, they are very different to the new. I think you would be pleasantly surprised!😁
a s&s Big Bore kit would even up your displacement and torque on your 650. 😊
The conversion cost is one third of the cost of the bike!
@@Volcanicbrown1878 and worth it 😁
@@DANTHETUBEMAN 😁
I think 2000- 2008 bonnies are bit closer to that intercepter. 360 degree crank gives different character compared to new ones. Are the gears on old intercepter 1up and 3 down??
Yes, one up and three down and three neutrals!🤣😁I Don't really like the beat of the new inter's much prefer the 360
@@Volcanicbrown1878 yeah the new Bonnie's and RE interceptor have 270 degree firing order. They feel more like cruisers. The older Bonnie pulled hard in every gear all through the rev range.
When you next service the old interceptor, open the case which have neutral finder leaver and gear leaver. Clean it all up replace any worn parts. Then my mechanic use to put grease and engine oil mixture in the case and close it. Gear shifts were a lot smoother and precise.
@@manmeetsharma2632 I have not ridden any of what I call the 'Hinckley' Triumphs, but heard plenty!
@@manmeetsharma2632 I was only kidding about the 3 neutrals! The oil and grease mix was the standard recipe back in the day, I use 60w gear oil, works fine!
Weren't the cranks dynamically balanced on the original too?
I much prefer the look (and performance) of the original and given the choice, I'd have that over the new one.
All the twin engine cranks from Redditch and Bradford upon Avon (Westwood) were dynamically balanced. I too like the older Inter's. That's why I have 3 original ones but only one new one!!😁
@@Volcanicbrown1878 Being a Triumph man, I had to pay extra for proper crank balancing
@@750triton All the Triumphs I ever had, except for a 6T Thunderbird, could get fairly savage in the vibration department at higher revs! Dynamic balancing made a different bike out of most, if not all of them for sure. Being young at the time I'd have 10-1 pistons and E3134 cams Or some wild cams from Bennett's of Atherstone. They were like bricks on broom handles! gave the lumpiest of idle's but transformed the performance at the top end (No wonder I had so much trouble with reliability!)
@@Volcanicbrown1878 I've had a few "modern" bikes, including a CX500 which I was told is quite torquey. I nearly fell off at a standstill because I didn't wind it up enough to get moving. Like you say, it's the kick in the rear in any gear that I love, so I stick with my old grenades
@@750triton Me too! Ride safe!
🐱🐱
All the new motorcycles are a collection of government regulations on 2 wheels.
How right you are! 🤣🤣😁