I remember reading about this one back in the late 60', early 70's
https://silodrome.com/twin-engined-royal-enfield-land-speed-racer/
https://silodrome.com/twin-engined-royal-enfield-land-speed-racer/
I did the first valve adjustment on my Interceptor..... the shop allowed me to do it in their parking lot.. since I knew the owner for years and they're usually backed up with work. They provide adult supervision.... Pulling the tank.... and other stuff mentioned... it is a very... very tight fit getting the valve cover off. Setting the valves is old school... no shims... like out Xs650's... The valves were in hood nick..... installing the cover is difficult... keeping the bottom seal in place.... on the way home... I stopped at a intersection and noticed smoke coming from the engine.... short story... the retaining bolts for the cover also have a rubber washer..... One had fallen off and I didn't notice ..... I agree.. they are a bit of porker moving in the garage....Raymond - congrates on your new bike.
I did a service on a 650 Interceptor today.
A couple of things about the service that may help - when doing the valve clearances you need to clear everything between the rocker box and the underside of the frame - its just wire loom, cable ties, 3 screws to lift a plate and also remove the 2 horns because you need that space in the front. Its very easy to do just a little time consuming. This gives the room to lift the rocker box above the tappets and the cam chain and keep the rubber gasket in place.
The valve clearances are a sinch to do - easy to get at. If not looked after, the chrome deteriorates quickly.
They are quite well put together.
The only thing I didnt like about them is I found them extremely heavy to move around - like in a showroom where you were limited for space. I dont think they are really a heavy bike but Im not very strong and sometimes I needed most of my strength just to move them out of the workshop.
They sound fantastic with "Red Rooster" mufflers.
Enjoy - Regards - Ray.
I have had a couple of weekends riding the Interceptor. I like it. Not so much that I’m ready to ditch my Yamaha collection, but I definitely like it. I want to try the Bonneville. The last one I rode was a 2005. I like that as well. I’m not too keen on all the plastic on today’s bikes and cars. I briefly had a Kawasaki Drifer. Plastic everything. Away it went.
I’m sure that’s true. I just don’t like it. There’s nothing to be done about that. Raymond’s bike has aftermarket stainless steel fenders. One of the bikes I borrowed had them. I wholeheartedly approve of that modification. The plastic fenders are fine, but I just feel better about the metal replacements.Price would have been a lot higher if they'd made all those valanced fenders in steel.
I have a 2007 Bonneville T100. It feels so much like an XS650 that I bought an XS650. 48 years after I had my previous one. Once I've brought the XS650 back from the dead, I'll be selling the Bonneville.I have had a couple of weekends riding the Interceptor. I like it. Not so much that I’m ready to ditch my Yamaha collection, but I definitely like it. I want to try the Bonneville. The last one I rode was a 2005. I like that as well. I’m not too keen on all the plastic on today’s bikes and cars. I briefly had a Kawasaki Drifer. Plastic everything. Away it went.
Better get a Cost-Co membership to buy your polishing kit in bulk for cheap.Ray, thank you for the pointers! I've heard quite a lot about the finish - they deteriorate if not looked after fastidiously. The Seller confesses that he is a bit obsessional about keeping all his bikes not just clean but tip-top condition.
So I'm either going to have to spend a lot more time and effort on cleaning and polishing, or keep this as a dry day, Summer ride.
Cheers, Raymond
Good luck with the Enfield. DVLA seem to be doing well presently. In January I got an imported XS650D registered with them and the V5 in my hand in six working days. Can’t complain at that.Yesterday, a seat turned up, courtesy of DPD. Seller forgot to hand it to the bike movers so he sent it as a parcel and it has beaten the rest of the bike.
Also, yesterday the V5 ownership document turned up in my name - that was a very quick turnaround by DVLA.
Just really the bike itself now . . .
Good call - loved the video, glad I stuck with it, cheeky about 'patina' but he's got a point!I found this an enjoyable half hour on a Sunday morning. There is some discussion here on “patina”, particularly after about minute 22.