1964 Royal Enfield Interceptor MKI
Price: $7 027 ≈ €6556 ≈ £5440
Item location: San Jose, California, US
Last update:
Seller notes: “VERY Original SURVIVOR, Fresh TOP END, Starts EASY, Runs GREAT!”
Brand: | Royal Enfield |
Model: | Interceptor MKI |
Type: | Standard |
Year: | 1964 |
Color: | Red |
Mileage: | 7 393 |
Engine (cc): | 750 |
VIN: | 62826 |
ID: | mfs0290173178 |
Description
Offered here is a 1964 ROYAL ENFIELD MKI INTERCEPTOR 750cc TWIN, GREAT RUNNUNG BIKE in VERY ORIGINAL condition.
This very cool early Interceptor has only 7,400 ORIGINAL MILES and is a matching numbers bike - "matching" in the sense that it left the Redditch works with the same frame, engine & gearbox, as confirmed by the UK Owners Club.
Frame number 62826, engine number YB 15985, gearbox number AGZ 1392, with the same AGZ 1392 stamped on the front of the timing-side crankcase. I've had it close to 20 years and just got it running in 2020, previous owner had stored the bike for almost 30 years.
As you can see, almost everything on this bike is original - the obvious exceptions are the paint on chainguard & toolbox/battery box covers (done by Previous Owner) - but other that that, very little has been changed on this bike over the course of 58 years! Paint on tank & frame was sprayed at factory, sheet metal is all-original (including the hard-to-find heavily valanced rear fender), seat has original and correct-for-1964 gray-top cover, original AMAL Monobloc carburetors (left carb stamped 389/205, right carb with float on the right stamped 689/205), rims are original chromed steel Dunlops, lights & electrics are all genuine Lucas (including Lucas lenses front & rear, Lucas 8V ammeter and the now very scarce 8H 6-volt horn), even the wiring harness is original and unmolested! Here is a quick run-down of the work that was done to get this bike back on the road: The rings had left light marks in the bores, so the engine now has less than 100 miles on a fresh top end, with +.020" cylinder bores, new pistons from Hitchcocks, with new rings & cross-rings. Valve train - seats, guides, valves, springs & rockers - all looked new with no measurable wear, so everything was cleaned and reassembled, with new pushrod tunnel seals & cylinder base gaskets.
The Lucas magneto got the BrightSpark capacitor mod and was rebuilt by Doug Wood - needless to say, it now produces a fat blue spark, hot or cold. The original AMAL Monobloc carbs got a thorough cleaning and rebuild with all new gaskets & rubber bits. It now starts easily and settles into a steady idle after a brief warm-up. Charging system checked out, works as it should, a new 6V AGM battery now stores the charge. Primary transmission stripped for inspection, clutch components cleaned, steel plates bead blasted, engine sprocket oil seal replaced, NEW primary chain & tensioner installed. Timing chain adjusted, new magneto chain installed, along with new oil seal for timing shaft quill, new oil filter and new timing cover gasket. Tapered roller steering head bearings were installed, front brake shoes cleaned & deglazed, new brake cable installed. And of course new spark plugs, non-resistor caps and fresh fluids all around.
A bike like this almost always has something that could use fettling, and this one is no exception, but the only thing it really needs to be roadworthy and fun-worthy is a pair of new tires, which I just haven't gotten around to yet... That said, I'm still riding it every few days on the old UK-made Dunlop K70s that you see in the photos - tread is OK, sidewalls are cracked, they have to be at least 50 years old and could even be original to the bike! Doesn't really matter to me as long as they hold air... Which they do!
Now, a quick summary of the current running condition and riding experience : As mentioned, the bike starts readily on 1 or 2 kicks, NO smoke or funny noises. Once underway, the long stroke big twin starts making gobs of torque the second the carb slides lift up off their stops, and from 2000 rpm in 4th you can just roll the throttle on for that characteristic Enfield Twin locomotive experience! Carburetion is clean all the way up the rev range. Clutch action is smooth and progressive, NO dragging or slipping. Transmission works as expected - of course with the Enfield/Albion gearbox speed-shifting is NEVER a good idea, but as long as you are slow & deliberate with your shifting, you'll get the gear you're looking for. Brakes & suspension also work as expected, which is to say not that great, but hey brakes and suspension on an Enfield twin weren't great when they were brand new either! Lights work, horn works (somewhat anemically), and the kill button works about half the time...
Bottom line, this is a very cool, very unique, VERY original and quite rare vintage British bike that is an absolute ton of fun to ride! There is nothing quite like a Redditch twin, especially motoring through a stretch of 50-70mph sweepers, rolling the throttle on and off in top gear!
Sold with valid CALIFORNIA TITLE & NON-OP REGISTRATION in my name - NO DMV DRAMA! Payment by Paypal (BUYER PAYS FEES), cash on pick-up, bank transfer or email me for other payment options. LOCAL PICK-UP IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA PREFERRED! LOW COST international shipping can also be arranged - email me for more info!
You can view a short video of the bike at idle buy
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