Royal Enfield Interceptor - Knowledge Base
Riding and handling an Interceptor

Unless stated otherwise, the information in this Knowledge Base is for Royal Enfield Interceptor only. Some information could of course be applicable to other models.


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How to start the Interceptor!

My Series 1a starts with the following process:

1. Turn on gas & ignition
2, Tickle both carbs
3. Hold throttle about 1/8 turn open & kick through smartly

It should start on the first kick, and worst case the second. I have chokes on mine as a matter of principle, but only use them when it is very cold outside.

Be thankful you don't have a Norton Commando: surely the most evil placement ever devised by man for a kickstarter. It is located so far back in the bike that you can't help but unbalance the whole thing when you kick it through ... that's why most owners leave Commandos on the stand while they start them ... and eventually destroy the stand & bracket in the process.

The Interceptor is quite well balanced w.r.t. the kickstarter placement, and quite easy to start. The later coil-ignition models are even easier, since they produce a much hotter spark than a magneto at kick-over speeds

.. gREgg

Standing on the right side of the bike, like Rick described flooding it a bit using your "saturday night finger", just right, kick (or rather push) over the crank shaft a couple of turns, finding that right spot when you have compression just a third way down on the kick.

Now this is a bit high up to just kick, so balancing the bike, holding the handlebars, you hop up a bit kicking off with your right leg (left foot ready on the kick), then as gravity pulls you down, you kick hard and fast like trying to break a piece of wood, no hesitation, landing almost with a straight leg.
Music to my ears.

Royal


Mine is: clutch in and kick to free the clutch. tickle the carbs until gas flows out of the tiny holes near the tickle buttons. throttle closed, kick slowly once or twice. turn key on, tickle again, and kick briskly with throttle closed if not fired, open throttle 1/4 and kick again repeatedly (3-4 times.)

If still not started, tickle again to REALLY flood the carbs, and kick up to 2 times with throttle closed. if not running, open throttle and kick more with throttle open 1/4 to 1/3.

I have no choke on my amals. HTH

-RickL