Forum

[OilyFingers]

Just acquired a 1965 Mk I Interceptor from its original owner and thought I would make myself known here.
The bike was used from new to 1983 when the owner laid it up after first spraying it with grease (Waxoyl?) which makes for a filthy bike but its looking good underneath.
Original sales invoice from Comerfords included.
I have started a blog here:
https://reinterceptor.wordpress.com/

[Adrian]

Congratulations, that's how you want to find them!



Are you planning a restoration, or is it just a case of wiping it down with an oily rag and riding it once you have it running? Does the magneto still work?



A.

[OilyFingers]

Just get it running. No spark from magneto but have not even cleaned the points. I suspect the capacitor will have failed by now anyway.
If no spark after a clean up will get the mag reconditioned.

[Scalyback]

That is such a find!



The original leather cable tidy straps are just gorgeous! How many of us have even actually seen them?



A beautiful motorcycle, especially the left throttle grip, made from a mechanical headlight dipper control.



Some really good history there, a really nice Interceptor!



was the old oil left in? If so, it may have solidified in the oilways and they would need cleaning out, before trying to start the engine.

Thank you so much for posting, please let us know updates!

[OilyFingers]

It runs!
Only briefly but I got it started yesterday.
I have to replace the carbs, the slides are worn oval and to cap it all I dropped one carb when cleaning it so the float chamber is no longer round. Despite fettling it still leaks. Also the fuel taps (odd ones) leak terribly too.

Anyway I got it to run and it sounded good!

[Mark M]

The carbs are 389 & 689 Monoblocs. The 389 (left) is available new, the 689 is not. The 689 was fitted to very few bikes so you will struggle to find one at all. Tell me it's not the 689!

REgards, Mark

[OilyFingers]

Update!
Bike is now on the road, MoT'd taxed and insured
Here is a short video of me trundling about on it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W46kg5k0Bw8

I did about 50 miles on Saturday, it runs very well, plenty of power.
Next big trip hopefully to Cornwall to visit friends and to drop in on the original owner.
That should be at the end of August.

[Gwilly]

Looks and sounds like a british bike should, marvellous well done..
Make sure both you and the electrics are protected from the inevitable rain shower if your coming to cornwall.

Thats why its so bloody green down here..

[Adrian]

That sounds very healthy! A.

[OilyFingers]

Well it made it to Cornwall and back!
London to Cornwall
Cornwall to Isle of Wight
IoW to London
about 570 miles lots of dual carriageway and motorways at 3000 to 3300 rpm 60-65 mph cruising up to 80 mph overtaking
Lovely burbling about the New Forest and IoW
Lost the exhaust tie rod on the A303, replaced with 8mm studding and nuts fron B and q hardware for now.
Tacho gearbox made a break for freedom but one screw held on, friends neighbour has classic cars so searched through his stash for replacements.
Used about a mug full of oil.
Hot starting needs just the right amount of throttle.

Needs:
Carburation fine fettling, runs rich on pilot circuit even with screws almost 2 turns out.
Rear shocks have no damping so its boingy..
New rear sprocket/brake drum.

Improvements:
5 speed gearbox would be nice.
Modern front brake. Does anyone know if a later tls brake and wheel from an Indian Enfield would fit?

In conclusion my guess that it would not need too much to re-commission after its 33 year lay up is correct and it can still put in some fairly high mileage days, the run to Cornmall was 270 miles not bad for a 51 year old bike.