Author Topic: Interceptor Series 1/1A paint colors (Read 3218 times)

ddavidv · **on:** July 23, 2020, 12:40:08 am

Can anyone give me a rundown on what the original available paint colors were?
I'm looking at a Interceptor that is painted what looks to be metallic medium green (from photos) but Google search only shows me black, red and blue.

grumbern · **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2020, 05:22:13 pm

MK1A schould have a chromed tank and no tool box, MK1 was available in polychromatic red or blue.

Adrian II · **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2020, 09:35:47 pm

The Series 1A also came with the red-painted small chrome panel tank as an option.

A.

Knatterratter · **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2020, 05:46:55 am

Quote from: Adrian II on July 23, 2020, 09:35:47 pm

The Series 1A also came with the red-painted small chrome panel tank as an option.

A.

Any idea which red exactly?

Adrian II · **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2020, 11:02:15 am

Don't know the exact shade, sorry. This one on Pinterest may or may not be correct!

The non-panel chrome tanks had a red strip along the top, same shade of red, at a guess!

A.

grumbern · **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2020, 02:13:24 pm

"The mighty Interceptor" sais:

"The road sport version had a painted tank with large chrome panels, finished in wedgewood blue or candy apple red."

All others with chrome plated tanks.
If you'd like to repaint it, I guess a Honda colour would be a good match. The earlier version, "polychromatic burgundy" is more like a "candy ruby red", while the later should be closer to Hondas "candy apple red". The blue tone should be a bit like Yamaha "candy blue", but I dont know if this is the same as "wedgewood blue" and still it's no exact match. I had mine painted by a superb paint artist whom I sent some chips of the original paint and he tried his best to recreate it, using a silver base coat consisting of a silver and a chrome tone to match the very fine structure of the original paint. Then two layers of dark blue candy and one candy layer closer to cyan, creating a cool effect in high contrast daylight. Three layers of clear coat to finish it off:

ddavidv · **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2020, 12:48:28 pm

So a repaint then?

If not original I'll make it blue, assuming I like what I see this weekend.

Black fingernail · **Reply #7 on:** August 05, 2020, 04:49:42 pm

That blue is very similar to SWMBO's BMW Z3, the colour is called 'Estoril Blue' this colour alters in sunlight as well.

Black fingernail · **Reply #8 on:** August 05, 2020, 04:55:37 pm

Come to think of it, most of my vehicles are a similar blue. my little car is Subaru WRX blue.

grumbern · **Reply #9 on:** August 05, 2020, 07:29:22 pm

Quote from: ddavidv on August 05, 2020, 12:48:28 pm

So a repaint then?

Yup, never a green one built

ddavidv · **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2020, 09:55:21 pm

As I believe it is missing that tool box lid, I'm not horrified by the prospect of new paint.

grumbern · **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2020, 05:21:55 pm

Other tahn that, it seems like it has all the hard to find hardware, like the original seat, toolbox and mudguards. The lids turn up on e-bay from time to time and can be obtained at a reasonable price, with a bit of good luck.

ddavidv · **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2020, 12:11:42 pm

Seeing it in the flesh tomorrow.

ddavidv · **Reply #13 on:** August 08, 2020, 11:53:14 pm

Deal struck. It will be delivered after Labor Day here in the US.
Titled as a 1964 but my reference book says '65 was the first year for non-nacelle headlamp? I'm guessing that book is wrong, for export at least.
Is there an easy way to tell if it is 6 or 12 volt? Again, the reference book is questionable.
I won't have all the engine and chassis numbers until it shows up in person.

grumbern · **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2020, 08:28:35 am

All the export versions beginning as early as 62/63 had a seperate light. The easiest way to see what voltage your bike is made for is to check the zener diode.
Andreas

ivhanjones · **Reply #15 on:** August 09, 2020, 09:41:31 am

Quote from: grumbern on July 23, 2020, 05:22:13 pm

MK1A schould have a chromed tank and no tool box, MK1 was available in polychromatic red or blue.

You said right buddy

grumbern · **Reply #16 on:** August 09, 2020, 11:08:36 am

And I see I put in an additional "c" to the "sh" - German poking through

What I'd like to add: What really speaks for a '64 model is the dual coloured seat with the white cloth top. Only the '64 Models had this and it was discontinued with the '65 range. Also the lids are still black

Adrian II · **Reply #17 on:** August 09, 2020, 01:54:54 pm

Lucas 12V electrics started appearing on British bikes somewhere around 1966. Looking at the '65 Interceptor parts list I can see a rectifier but no Zener diode, suggesting it would still have been 6V, at least as it left the factory. An owner might have converted it to 12V later on.

https://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/partsbook-pages/3344

I do recall seeing pictures of Series 1A interceptors with the big heat sink for the zener diode, built a couple of years after yours with a different battery box.

A.

ddavidv · **Reply #18 on:** August 10, 2020, 02:53:59 am

Ah, so that explains the two tone seat and why most photos of Mk1 Interceptors don't have them.
I have so much to learn. That's a large part of the fun in acquiring something like this.

Adrian II · **Reply #19 on:** August 10, 2020, 10:52:21 am

Your new best friend.

https://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/partsbook/162/1965-750cc-interceptor-series-i-usa-spec

A.

Damon · **Reply #20 on:** August 17, 2020, 11:52:08 pm

When I restored my 1965 Interceptor I went with a duplicolor red that was really close the the original candy red.
I only painted the toolbox covers and chain guard.