Author Topic: Project "Abfangjaeger" (Read 22860 times)

grumbern · **on:** May 08, 2016, 12:22:40 pm

One possibility to spend your saturday morning, may be to drive outside the "Spessart" towards Tübingen and collect avon machinery.
Should be a 64 model, 750ccm, but not all parts are correct and of course not complete

May she become a racer (after that didn't work with the Chief)!
Andreas

P.S.: Start of project might be at a later moment, due to some other projects...

Adrian II · **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2016, 04:46:57 pm

Glutton for punishment, nicht wahr?

Looking at that top yoke on those forks, it would be tempting have a good look at the engine and frame numbers...

http://www.royalenfields.com/2012/07/this-royal-enfield-vax-interceptor-is.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPp_kU9YLgw

OK, it is probably not a VAX Interceptor.

Yes, you could build a café racer, though I think the street scrambler lines of the export Series 1 model absolutely do justice to the bike. Something like that would compliment the Chief nicely.

Picture from ebay UK

A.

grumbern · **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2016, 09:55:29 pm

It's not a VAX, I checked that as soon as I saw it. The owner claimed it to be a 61, but from the engine and frame numbers its a 63. The yoke isn't correct for that year though (that's what made me think it was a VAX first, too). But it definitely is a 750.

We'll see, what it turns out to be like, but plans were to build a CR from the Chief, too, at first. But this one's gotta be blue, that's for sure!

Quote

Glutton for punishment, nicht wahr?

Well, that's what the seller said, or at least something like that

Andreas

Adrian II · **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2016, 01:25:30 am

Let me know if you want a few Euros for that top yoke.

Hitchcock's have a used twin clock alloy yoke for the S1 at the moment which looks as though it will polish up OK. £110 + VAT and post, a new one is £210 + VAT and post.

http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/pictures/category8748/large/used1984.jpg

A.

grumbern · **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2016, 10:08:13 am

Has anyone got any idea, what exactly this bike is? I've been wondering for some time now and what makes me wonder is the fact, that it has the Fury yokes and a blanked rev counter terminal. Have there been versions without a rc? I am not sure, what I have here and if they changed these parts on the bike, or if they were original...

I guess RE made some small batches of any kind of configuration, as you can often see strange arrangements that don't appear on any chart. Has anyone any knowledge of anything similar to mine?

The seat and subframe aren't correct, as they were bought by the previous owner.
Thanks,
Andreas

ace.cafe · **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2016, 12:10:58 pm

My guess is that the greatest likelihood is that it was built as bits and pieces from various bikes over the years. This accounts for the wide variety of parts.

Adrian II · **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2016, 06:41:41 pm

In the words of Royce Creasey, you might have a "post-industry thoroughbred", if the term bitsa sounds a little harsh.

A.

Damon · **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2016, 07:25:03 pm

The seat and rear hoop look to be from either a later MK1A or a Series 2.
from the info and parts searching I've done over the last year for my 1965 Mk1 rebuild, they could come with or without the rev counter.
Welcome to the Interceptor Club!!

Damon
2005 Royal Enfield Bullet 612 Continental
1965 Royal Enfield Interceptor MK1

grumbern · **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2016, 09:28:55 pm

"post-industry thoroughbred", that term I have to remember

Damon, that's a piece of information that is very useful to me. So there would have been a kind of dummy instead of a rev counter? The subframe and seat are repros, bought by the preowner, as said, and therefore not the right ones

I do have a frame for a Super Meteor/Constellation I guess. What exactly are the differences to the Interceptor? Are these longer?
Thanks,
Andreas

Damon · **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2016, 09:58:21 pm

I've not seen what might have been put in place of the Rev counter only the blanking plate, and my engine gasket set came with gaskets for the gearbox and the blanking plate.

Not sure the differences in the frames between the Interceptor and the Meteor/Constellation. I believe that the rear swing arm might have been shorter on the Connie and meteor then on the Mk1 Interceptor.

Arizoni · **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2016, 12:01:22 am

According to, "Royal Enfield, The Postwar Models " by Roy Bacon, the Meteor (1952-1955), the Super Meteor (1955-1962), the Constellation (1958-1963) and Interceptor (1962-1968) had a 54 inch wheelbase.

The Interceptor Series II (1968-1970) and the Rickman (1970-1972) had a 57 inch wheelbase. (pp 167-169)

The book doesn't mention rake or trail so the differences could be due to that, the length of the trailing arm or an increase in the frame length.

Adrian II · **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2016, 03:39:26 am

Quote

Damon, that's a piece of information that is very useful to me. So there would have been a kind of dummy instead of a rev counter?

There's a Bullet on ebay UK at the moment with a Series 1 style twin clock alloy top yoke and two speedometers fitted!

No, I don't know why either...

Or stay twin clock but add a 60's pattern Puca Smiths Electronic rev counter (I don't think that the Electra speedometer is too much of a mis-match):

Another alternative would of course be the Hitchcock's cafe racer alloy top yoke which is machined from the same casting but simply takes a switch (old-style light switch or ignition switch with adaptor plate), speedometer and ammeter).

And finally, if your Interceptor *is* a bit of a post industry thoroughbred, why not restore it as VAX Interceptor look-alike? Maximum points for style...

A.

grumbern · **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2016, 09:09:21 am

Well, we'll see what it turns out like. But definitely blue!

And I'll only use genuine, or selfmade parts as far as possible. These 80s or 90s speedos just don't fit.

I do have a alloy top yoke, that still needs a little attention. whatever fits best

Adrian II · **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2016, 01:03:59 pm

I would have used the matching Puca Smiths electronic speedometer (based on the mid/late 60's design) instead of the Indian speedo, but a) it was getting rather expensive, and b) the wiring was already a lot more complicated than I would like. (It looks a bit tidier than this now!)

Given your excellent refurbishment of the Indian Chief speedometer I'm sure you could source and repair a couple of mid-sixties instruments, but the Puca Smiths instruments are a possible alternative for someone who has the money and who also has better wiring skills than I do.

http://www.puca.co/productGF.html

A.

grumbern · **Reply #14 on:** October 23, 2017, 07:35:59 pm

Well, alittle progress has been made. Not much, but...

Started with a damaged "cockpit" that cost me a phonecall:

So I bent it back and filled the hole, using some Aluminum and rudimentary welding skills:

Some more welding and filing later:

Let's try it on. Got some genuine Smith's gauges, not RE but Triumph though:

A little more filing and sanding yet to do, then polish it.
Also got a maching mudguard carrier, notice the difference to the UK model:

So long,
Andreas

Adrian II · **Reply #15 on:** October 24, 2017, 05:47:17 pm

The longer mudguard carrier would suit a later Interceptor with the longer swinging arm, I understand.

Nice job with the top yoke/instrument panel repair. I had a damaged version of the same item which I cut back for a trials yoke. As it was in BETTER condition than the one you successfully repaired I should have let you have it!

The good news is that (somewhere) I have still have the mid-1960s Lucas light switch and the 41mm round steel insert for it that sits in the panel behind the main instruments. Would you like them?

A.

grumbern · **Reply #16 on:** October 24, 2017, 09:34:52 pm

Thanks Adrian, why not? I'll PN you my address.

The US-models should all have had the longer swinging arm and m.g.-carrier, as far as I know, although there are pictures with short ones?!
So long,
Andreas

grumbern · **Reply #17 on:** December 17, 2017, 12:37:43 pm

I could obtain a pair of cylinder barrels, one of them unluckily broke a fin during transit (got my money back though). So I prepared the broken fin and got some cast iron electrodes, but forgot to take along the grip, too - so it has to wait until I have that.

What it says on the electrode box is promissing though (for those not familiar with German laguage, it says "Zylinder" in the purpose section of the description and you can guess what that is in English):

But I made some progress on the top yoke. After some sanding, filing and more sanding it looks pretty promissing:

Now it's up for glass blasting to be cleaned and after that sanded and polished. I hope the seams not to be seen that clearly as they are now. It's a big downside to using aluminium as different alloys have different colours.
So long,
Andreas

grumbern · **Reply #18 on:** December 23, 2017, 11:21:08 am

The fin is welded. Not as nice as I hoped it to be, especially the root (not as much penetration as it should have). Nevertheless it will do, if not it would already have fallen off while hammering

The welding with those nickel-electrodes is really strange and not quite comparable with steel ones. Completely different behaviour. But it works and with some experiance it shouldn't be any harder to do than with "normal" electrodes.
So long,
Andreas

grumbern · **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2018, 07:34:43 pm

The yoke is done, sanded and waiting to be polished:

Unfortunately, as expected the beads are still visible. Only hard to see on the picture, but clearly in real:

More tomorrow.
So long,
Andreas

grumbern · **Reply #20 on:** January 22, 2018, 11:28:34 am

Hurray! After polishing the seam is nearly invisible and probably will remain unseen for someone who doesn't know.
I hope it will stay this way

Speedo and tacho where set in place just for the looks, but the bezels will need some attention

So long,
Andreas

grumbern · **Reply #21 on:** August 19, 2019, 10:09:05 am

Wow, here hasn't happened a lot lately. So for some updates.

Here I have picture of what the Interceptor looked like some time ago. Furtunately I found a good tank, a toolbox, the lids and a repro-seat that I got for ~60$

On the picture there's still the Fury bottom yoke now used on the "Laubfrosch" and you can see how bent this was

I then found a pair of "fork ears". Though it's meant for the later MK1A, those will do fine for me, if I don't find the right ones:

Another fine catch for just about 70$ was this rev-counter that was lost for some time as USPS sent it to Barbados and lost tracking

After sand blasting the left lid looked not so good after all. A lot of rust marks and some holes, that had to be welded:

While stripping the tank some of the original paint showd up:

The tank got a dent repair and sealed on the inside and then all was sent to the painter:

grumbern · **Reply #22 on:** August 19, 2019, 10:40:40 am

The original paint and a sample piece look quite similar already!

Priming, filling, sanding...

And yet some more...

I am excited to see the first pictures with colour

Andreas

mattsz · **Reply #23 on:** August 19, 2019, 11:42:52 am

Quote from: grumbern on August 19, 2019, 10:40:40 am

I am excited to see the first pictures with colour

Me, too! Color really feels like progress!

Adrian II · **Reply #24 on:** August 19, 2019, 02:33:40 pm

Quote

I then found a pair of "fork ears". Though it's meant for the later MK1A, those will do fine for me, if I don't find the right ones:

My Series 1 Interceptor long headlamp brackets (Hitchcock's reproductions) are sitting around in my garage with nothing to do since they came off Not A Fury, send me a private message if you think they would be better employed in Germany. I might have a home for your S1A items if they'll clean up OK.

A.

grumbern · **Reply #25 on:** August 21, 2019, 08:47:28 am

Hi Adrian,
do you have a picture? Those of the "Not a Fury" don't seem load.

Andreas

Adrian II · **Reply #26 on:** August 21, 2019, 10:05:17 am

Certainly, here it is with Interceptor-type alloy top yoke.

These headlamp brackets (Hitchcocks' part numbers 47865/47866, currently out of stock!) have had very little use, though you would probably want to repaint them. They were originally powder coated, but when they got scratched I had to rub them down and repaint them by hand, not up to your standards. I will try and get you a picture of them on their own.

Meanwhile your short Interceptor headlamp brackets would work fine on my wife's RE project bike, which will be using a set of Electra-X disk brake forks with the alloy top yoke and fork gaiters instead of metal shrouds.

A.

grumbern · **Reply #27 on:** August 21, 2019, 11:17:16 am

Hmmm, now that's a hard decition, as I was going for short ears and gaiters, but of course the older '65 version instead of the MK1A. Now the long shrouded ones give me another option... I'll have to think about it.

Adrian II · **Reply #28 on:** August 21, 2019, 12:26:17 pm

Well, if these were to be re-used on my wife's project bike, I'd have to shorten them to match yours. Seems such a shame to chop the ends off when you can't buy them any more...

Haven't tried emotional blackmail for a while, it might succeed.

Quote

For every wrong set of headlamp brackets fitted to a Series 1 Interceptor restoration, a cute puppy dies.

No, that needs a bit more work...

Your call, Andreas!

A.

grumbern · **Reply #29 on:** August 23, 2019, 02:09:54 pm

Oh what the heck, screw the sportier look. Let's do it! For the puppies sake

The left one is "perfect", the right one will need some small repairs. Nothing bad though.

Adrian II · **Reply #30 on:** August 23, 2019, 05:26:11 pm

The puppy lives! (Phew...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIXVcsCCL9w

Here they are, metal work good, paint not so good (you can't really tell from the photo).

When you say your right hand headlamp bracket needs some small repairs, are we talking about just a little filler being needed? Do you have a picture?

All being well, I suggest a straight swap rather than messing around trying to value things. Has your address changed since I sent you the headlamp switch?

A.

grumbern · **Reply #31 on:** August 25, 2019, 08:56:19 am

Hi Adrian,
no, there's two little cracks and a littel bending to repair. One crack in the front and one right where the ear is attached to the shroud. Best way to do this would be to braze it, I guess. Paint is obviously to be done new. These are old originals and this is the best I found in, well three years, or so...

But for the paint there's some news.
First a picture without clear coat:

And here some with it. Interesting how the colour changes depending on the light:

That's exactly how I wanted it! A dark almost royal blue, and in the sun it turns more light, almost turquoise. I'm really excited to see it for real!
So long,
Andreas

heloego · **Reply #32 on:** August 25, 2019, 02:20:01 pm

Looking VERY SWEET!

Adrian II · **Reply #33 on:** August 25, 2019, 03:15:23 pm

First-class job with the paintwork, as ever. Your tank looks to be identical to what I have on Not A Fury, it was even the same colo(u)r when I bought it cheap as an ex-display item from Hitchcocks' retail shop. A customer had bought and painted it, then returned it, claiming that it leaked.

I tried very hard to get it to leak, as did the guy who pressure tested it prior to painting it in its present finish, no fuel leak! My guess is that the first owner hadn't sealed the fuel tap thread properly. Never mind, it saved me some money.

Thinking about the damaged right hand headlamp bracket, how much would YOU charge to repair it? I probably could have it repaired locally, but your record is quite impressive.

A.

grumbern · **Reply #34 on:** August 26, 2019, 04:51:26 pm

Erm... I don't know?!

Let's just say: I'll try to repair it as good as possible and then we talk about what to do

That is - if you can wait a little?
Andreas

Adrian II · **Reply #35 on:** August 26, 2019, 09:23:57 pm

I can indeed wait a little, though you might be so pleased with your repair that you want to keep them!

Never mind, I will take that risk, if the puppy can stand the anxious wait.

A.

grumbern · **Reply #36 on:** August 27, 2019, 06:55:20 pm

heloego · **Reply #37 on:** August 27, 2019, 10:38:44 pm

Gorgeous!!!!

grumbern · **Reply #38 on:** September 25, 2019, 09:38:09 pm

And back from lining - even better now

Hard to believe all the pictures are showing the exact same shade of blue...

heloego · **Reply #39 on:** September 25, 2019, 11:00:10 pm

Holy Haysoos that looks good!

Arizoni · **Reply #40 on:** September 26, 2019, 02:44:05 am

Looks like a metallic green to me.
Stupid digital photos and the internet once again.

Adrian II · **Reply #41 on:** September 26, 2019, 07:22:05 pm

Quote from: Arizoni on September 26, 2019, 02:44:05 am

Looks like a metallic green to me.
Stupid digital photos and the internet once again.

That is what makes looking at colo(u)r charts on-line pretty much pointless. The August 27 photos show the real deal.

Will you be using knee-grip rubbers, Andreas, or fitting the tank without them?

A.

grumbern · **Reply #42 on:** September 26, 2019, 08:59:09 pm

I already have them, but am not sure how to glue them to the tank. Maybe some upholstery glue? Those work quite well for many materials and you don't have to keep them in place to cure.

Adrian II · **Reply #43 on:** September 26, 2019, 11:47:25 pm

Contact adhesive is usually recommended.

A.

grumbern · **Reply #44 on:** March 17, 2020, 05:54:01 pm

Wow, quite some time since there was some action around here...

Well, so here's a bit of spring time atmosphere

Knee pads not glued on still:

olhogrider · **Reply #45 on:** March 17, 2020, 08:11:02 pm

I have the Motone kneepads for my 650. When I had it painted I ordered another set but I was able to salvage the old ones. I discovered which double stick tape they use so I ordered some of the same to reinstall the pads. It is 3M 468 MP. It works great! I got mine from Amazon but they may be having difficulties this week.

grumbern · **Reply #46 on:** March 17, 2020, 08:56:31 pm

Thanks for the info!

Adrian II · **Reply #47 on:** March 18, 2020, 01:22:12 pm

Quote from: grumbern on March 17, 2020, 05:54:01 pm

Wow, quite some time since there was some action around here...

Well, so here's a bit of spring time atmosphere

You just can't beat the look of the small-panel tank, IMHO. Café racer fans will have other ideas, perhaps...

A.