Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
15th November, 2023 13:00
1957 Matchless G80
Estimate
£2, 000 - £3, 000
Registration No: 369 UXK
Frame No: A68851
Engine No: G80 22612
CC: 500
MOT: Exempt
Current owner since 2012
Correct numbers machine
Stored for the last year
It comes complete with a current V5C
This Matchless G80 was purchased by the late vendor in 2012, and used by him for local club runs and events. All correct numbers machine, it has been stored for the last year and will need some light recommissioning before use. It comes complete with some old mot certificates and old tax discs and a current V5C.
In the early 1950s, the most popular British four-strokes were still pushrod singles. The Matchless G80 is typical of this era. The earliest G80 is sometimes referred to as a G80L, the L signifying "Teledraulic" forks, rather than girder forks. The magneto on an AJS was in front of the cylinder, and the Matchless magneto was behind. A design originating in the 1930s, the Matchless was updated with a spring frame (swingarm) rear suspension in 1949, becoming the G80S. The suspension was a vast improvement on the bouncy rigid rear end but wheel travel was limited.
AMC had adopted Velocette's twin-shock swingarm rear suspension design for its top models. Vertical shock absorber units were introduced in 1949. The initial "Candlestick" shocks held only 50cc of SAE20 weight oil. Leak prone, they were replaced by the "Jampot" shocks in 1951, and by Girling shocks in 1956. In 1957, AMC switched from Burman gearboxes to their own make.
