I Bought THAT Bike.

robertv · 2026-06-28T18:14:02-0600

Hello all. New to the RE forum. I recently bought a 1971 RE Interceptor from Craigslist. I say THAT bike because I noticed a couple of others here had mentioned it. Not sure if I have photo posting rights. Owned for the last 50 years by one person. He was unable to finish it. Gave it to his friend who told me that 50 years ago it was fast.
I have only known one guy who had one. Crazy Larry back in 1979. It leaked a lot and was popping some, but he liked it. I have a Norton Commando and a new RE Bullet. And a Triumph 1978 750 as well as a few Harleys. And, I am aware of the pitfalls connected to these steeds, but it has great compression and I will finish up the installation. Supposedly all rebuilt.
Can someone advise me where I may find a parts book for it. I just purchased a Clymer manual, but I will need schematics on the various plates and covers etc to install the coils and other parts.
I will keep you posted on my progress. Thanks. Robert

Onder · 2026-06-29T05:15:24-0600

I see you are stateside. Hitchcock came over and did a fine job of moving the spares pool over to the UK.
His website is the place to go as he has the parts book online. Most, not all, spares can be had newly made, from him. Quality is decent. Hitchcock is good to deal with.

Hitchcocks Motorcycles | Partsbook: 1970 750 Interceptor Series II

Burton Bike Bits still has some stock of original bits, mostly little strange stuff but ring them with
part numbers and they may have stuff you need.

Royal Enfield Parts & Spares - Burton Bike Bits

The largest range of Classic Royal Enfield Parts in the World! Genuine & Reproduction parts available with a fast Worldwide Mail Order Service!

burtonbikebits.net

You can have a look at most of my posts on the S2 and save yourself some grief.
These bikes have a lot of issues, more than most brit bikes. As standard, they are fragile. The original clutch is lovely to use but short lived. Easily remedied by buying a BNR unit either belt or chain from Hitch. Next keep in mind that the gearbox needs careful attention setting up and even then will not
put up with any abuse. Inspect the mainshafts carefully for cracks between the lubrication holes. It may
well be worth putting in replacements. Hitchcock used to offer Indian ones that had no bushing and
I think can be fitted with a seal , important if you fit a belt drive.
The oil pump is barely adequate. So make sure your specs are good on your rods keeping in mind that
the DS has more clearance than the TS. Make SURE your timing cover crank seal is modified for a circlip so it doesn't blow out. It is my opinion that you are better off without the oil cooler fitted to the later bikes as it doesn't work well and cannot help the oil pressure problems.
If you live in a hot climate the bike will never be happy or at least be happy for long. Some in Oz run
25w-60 which seems to help, no idea if this is wishful thinking or not. Back in the day I ran straight
50 and the engine was quiet until it heated up. Now I stick to 20w-50 Castrol Classic changed every
thousand miles.
If you have access to a complete tool room you can cure most of the bikes ills. If not , don't ride like
a 19 year old and don't ride in hot weather. All that said I actually like mine and have two of them.
Pray for me.

robs ss · 2026-06-29T05:31:52-0600

Is it true they have a "special" gear lever to find neutral?

Onder · 2026-06-29T05:37:05-0600

robs ss said:
Is it true they have a "special" gear lever to find neutral?

YES...and now try to get yer heel on it whilst coming to a stop without looking...
Everyone should have the opportunity to tearing down a Albion box just to see how it is designed.
It is as if it was only a device that avoided every known common gearbox design practise.

grandpaul · 2026-06-29T07:01:27-0600

One thing for sure, they have MASSIVE cases!

robertv · 2026-06-29T07:58:01-0600

Onder said:
I see you are stateside. Hitchcock came over and did a fine job of moving the spares pool over to the UK.
His website is the place to go as he has the parts book online. Most, not all, spares can be had newly made, from him. Quality is decent. Hitchcock is good to deal with.

Hitchcocks Motorcycles | Partsbook: 1970 750 Interceptor Series II
Burton Bike Bits still has some stock of original bits, mostly little strange stuff but ring them with
part numbers and they may have stuff you need.

Royal Enfield Parts & Spares - Burton Bike Bits

The largest range of Classic Royal Enfield Parts in the World! Genuine & Reproduction parts available with a fast Worldwide Mail Order Service!

burtonbikebits.net

You can have a look at most of my posts on the S2 and save yourself some grief.
These bikes have a lot of issues, more than most brit bikes. As standard, they are fragile. The original clutch is lovely to use but short lived. Easily remedied by buying a BNR unit either belt or chain from Hitch. Next keep in mind that the gearbox needs careful attention setting up and even then will not
put up with any abuse. Inspect the mainshafts carefully for cracks between the lubrication holes. It may
well be worth putting in replacements. Hitchcock used to offer Indian ones that had no bushing and
I think can be fitted with a seal , important if you fit a belt drive.
The oil pump is barely adequate. So make sure your specs are good on your rods keeping in mind that
the DS has more clearance than the TS. Make SURE your timing cover crank seal is modified for a circlip so it doesn't blow out. It is my opinion that you are better off without the oil cooler fitted to the later bikes as it doesn't work well and cannot help the oil pressure problems.
If you live in a hot climate the bike will never be happy or at least be happy for long. Some in Oz run
25w-60 which seems to help, no idea if this is wishful thinking or not. Back in the day I ran straight
50 and the engine was quiet until it heated up. Now I stick to 20w-50 Castrol Classic changed every
thousand miles.
If you have access to a complete tool room you can cure most of the bikes ills. If not , don't ride like
a 19 year old and don't ride in hot weather. All that said I actually like mine and have two of them.
Pray for me.

Thankyou so much for that trove of information. You are most knowledgeable. I will search out your past posts.

Onder · 2026-06-29T09:02:57-0600

grandpaul said:
One thing for sure, they have MASSIVE cases!

Well to give the devil his due, mains are huge and the crank is one piece. The valves themselves are
huge as well. The heads and jugs are separate pieces. I have always wanted to see if I could transplant a Commando head on to an S2. The top end of the Enfield sure needs a good engineer.

I Bought THAT Bike.

robertv

Onder

Royal Enfield Parts & Spares - Burton Bike Bits

robs ss

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