Royal Enfield's Biggest Twin

The Interceptor

Jim Stothard wasn't looking for a motorcycle when he heard about the Royal Enfield his boss had in storage. He wasn't even sure what an Enfield was. But the idea of buying it wouldn't go away. It took two years of needling and cajoling before Jim was even allowed to see the bike.

The Interceptor had been stored in a garage for years, after some ham-fisted wrenching had cross-threaded a spark plug. So it just sat – oil, gas and all. But when the deal was done, Jim borrowed the company truck and a few buddies, bought a couple of cases of beer, and the Interceptor was soon installed in Jim's third-floor apartment.

It was the early 1980s, British bikes were out of favor, parts were scarce and advice even scarcer. One local motorcycle dealer even warned Jim not to bring the bike anywhere near his shop! The only information Jim could find on his new bike was in Bernie Nicholson's Modern Motorcycle Mechanics.

Fortunately, he stumbled across Vancouver's British Motorcycle Owners' Club, and a number of members helped out with parts and wrenching advice. It was time to see if it would start...

Some more buddies, another case of beer, and the Interceptor was back on pavement. With fresh oil in the engine, fresh gas and a new battery, the bike coughed after a few kicks and was soon running. But blistering chrome on the exhaust headers meant something was wrong. Jim handed the bike to another BMOC member who rebuilt the carbs and set the timing, and the Interceptor was running like a top in no time....

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