Monday, June 29, 2009

Royal Enfield Interceptor drew attention

The 1965 Royal Enfield TT Interceptor for sale now on eBay (see previous posting) was the cover girl and the feature story in Old Bike Journal magazine for August, 1994.

The 750cc Interceptor had been a big, fast bike in its day and this was the super sports model, with the hottest cams and the longest wheelbase. The 1965s were the first Interceptors to abandon the Royal Enfield casquette, and the new separate instruments gave them a more up-to-date look.

But what did the magazine choose to focus on? The neutral finder! This device, worn on most Royal Enfields of the day and decades before and since, makes downshifting from any gear to neutral a one-step process. It's a wonderful device but hardly the sexiest feature of this very rare and fast motorcycle.

The bike remains very powerful. Seller William T. Bolstad describes having to wait for friends on Triumphs to catch up on rides. He describes it as "a seriously fast Old British Motorcycle."

He ought to know. The blue Interceptor is the first of three Royal Enfield twins he is selling and he has restored and cared for many motorcycles, including the line-up of Triumphs seen here.

Bolstad and his wife Linda live in Kalispell, Mont.

He also shared this picture of himself at a younger age, on his 1966 Triumph.

9 comments:

  1. Anonymous6/30/2009

    Love the 1966 Triumph picture! Groovy!

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  2. Anonymous7/11/2010

    ENOUGH OF THE ENFIELD SINGLES, LET'S SEE SOME ROYAL ENFIELD INTERCEPTOR TWIN'S.

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  3. Anonymous8/01/2010

    The royal enfield twin made from 1966 thru 1970 are an absolutely beautiful motorbike. I have always had triumphs, nortons or bsa. Will be looking for a late royal enfield twin now.

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  4. Anonymous9/27/2010

    Does anyone know production figures, facts on all royal enfield interceptor models. How many were made in 1965 thru 1970?. Would love to find a royal enfield interceptor series 1a. Thank you.

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  5. Your best bet for information is the Interceptor Owners Group web site, http://www.ozemate.com/interceptor/start.htm

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  6. Anonymous7/09/2011

    I am so sick of the single cylinder royal enfields which are made in india. These are piles of junk. WISH I had a twin.

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  7. Anonymous7/21/2012

    THE SINGLE CYLINDER ENFIELDS ARE TOADS. CRAPPY INDIA BIKES. THE TWINS NOW THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY. ANY TWINS FOR SALE? THANKS

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  8. Anonymous8/12/2012

    HELLO. MY NAME IS MIKE DOOM OF MD CYCLE. I HAVE THREE ROYAL ENFIELDS FOR SALE. 1-1968 MK 1A, AND TWO 1970 MK 11. PLEASE CALL FOR PRICING AND CONDITION. 818-727-1965. THANK YOU MIKE.

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  9. Anonymous8/17/2012

    WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A ROYAL ENIELD INTERCEPTOR MK1A OR A MKII IN ANY CONDITION. PREFER A COMPLETE BIKE BUT WILL CONSIDER ANYTHING. PLEASE CALL KIRK AT 805-217-2644 ANY TIME. THANK YOU.

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