Great job John. She looks and sounds fantastic. The look you gave the camera when it fired up for the first time brought a smile to my face...I know that feeling!
Had an identical AJS 16MS, a superbly capable motorcycle that despite having so little rated power, gave unfailing comfort, reliability and performance.This is the bike that if you gave to someone that was brought up riding only Japanese machinery, they would be totally won over with the slow revving , torquey motor - and the bark from the exhaust !.
Absolutely first rate, Mr. Ward! The seat upholstery is perfect! Most 'restorations' of this vintage usually have poorly done seat coverings. I did a '59 AJS 18TCS (600cc Typhoon Competition Scrambler) a number of years ago from a pile of boxes and chassis parts. A lot of time spent chasing down NOS pieces like the tail light assembly and headlamp etc. Wish I'd never sold it!
I have to join the comments and say I felt the pure relief and happiness in the first start up. I take it you were legging off to tell someone at the end too hehe. To much joy not to share. With anyone that will listen.
Getting the 30 grade oil right through the engine, prior to firing up, would have taken much turning over (plug out, of course, or exhaust valve lifter kept open) and a lot of kick start lever movement.. lol : ) The 1955 year model (my first ever bike in '68) was very similar with the so-called large 'jam pots' (rear shocks) but with an automatic advance/retard counterweight system fitted in a nice alloy casing (with the 'M' for Matchless in bright red) to the front right side of the lower case and projecting forward at about a 60 degree angle, making for (slightly) easier starting than the manual versions (??) Sometimes, if a backfire occurred the exhaust valve lifter (on the top of the left side of the engine) would 'jam open', robbing ALL compression and making starting impossible, until it was freed back into it's correct closed position. This feature meant that my stolen bike was immediately found abandoned by the Police after the thieves had backfired the engine on their return trip back home to Glen Innes, finding the bike unrestartable..!! The bike had been waiting for a rescue pick-up by a bike shop, after the clutch pushrod bearing had shattered, making disengagement impossible. It had been left in Albert Street outside the Law School early in 1970 overnight by the rather naive owner (your's truly) lol . . The charming thieves had 'crashed' the gearbox changes through dozens of times, and must have push started it in gear to start it when cold in the first instance, meaning at least two of them were involved. The Burman gearbox seemed just fine, nevertheless . . : )
My first bike ,Matchless 350 single with knobbly tires .Actually went for my motorcycle license on it , New Zealand, 15 years old. Paid $80 for it . Never forget it .
Had one as a kid for riding round fields. No compression release on it and a backfire on kickstarting could make a mess of your leg. I only kick started it once. Bump start every other time. Some fun on it
Great job , i linked through from your extensive web page showing the rebuild , fantastic work ,hope she has been running good and seeing some miles , I have got a 49 Matchless 500 rigid .
I have found you after looking for some info on the Matchless 350. Your web page is fascinating. I know nothing about “old” bikes and would be quite likely to be conned if I tried to buy one. I have owned bikes from the mid 70’s usually fairly new.
Just found you. Nice! In my much younger days, I liked old British singles. Had a BSA B34 and a WDM20, Triumph Cub, and a Vincent Comet. Am puzzled why a Matchless that old has indicators.
Jan... I chose to fit indicators purely as a safety thing. I don't know where you are in the world but riding a relatively slow old motorcycle on the UK's crowded roads is dangerous enough without idiot car drivers assuming you're waving at someone when in fact you're indicating to turn right. The bike hasn't been altered or modified in any way to accept the indicator, and they can easily be removed if some future owner doesn't want them. The full story of this bike and my other bikes can be found on my web pages ... www.whatfunnyhat.com Thanks for taking the time to have a look at this small offering. John.
I see my late dad again. Allthough he would wear a blue overall, yellow wooden shoes and a black baret. And of course our Matchless 350 had a sidecar. BTW, does it also leak oil?
I don't believe that you will ever get one of these old machines to be totally leak-free, but this one only drops a drip or two from the engine breather when she's stopped running. The chaincase, gearbox and crankcase are oil-tight.... for the moment!! :)
Indicators certainly don't look the part but if you want to ride in modern traffic they do make life very much easier - and safer. Of course if you just want to keep her in a museum......
I was surprised, too. New bore and piston, new carburettors and converted to coil ignition. Full story at www.whatfunnyhat.com/Frame_Stuff/Matchless.html
I can't wait to start mine for the first time. (Bought as a non-runner back in 1992.) Yours adopted such a beautiful regular beat straight off!
My first boyfriend rode a classic Matchless in 1963. It was a classic then, and I loved riding with him. You brought me back good memories.🖤🇨🇦
Nice work, sir!
What a beautiful machine, from an era of pure simplicity before the world went insane and so complex.
The seat is a true saddle built way down the sides.
The smile says it all John.
Beautiful video!
Nice bike.
That smile after the start...priceless man!!
I was thinking the same thing. Beautiful machine.
Just Made My Day.🇬🇧
Sheer Brilliance, see the ol fella's smile, pure glee. Thank you for sharing your moment, hope you enjoy your rideouts.
Great job John. She looks and sounds fantastic. The look you gave the camera when it fired up for the first time brought a smile to my face...I know that feeling!
Liked the smile after it finally started. Know the feeling!
Yes!a very beautiful bike!and a proud owner!!👍Love the sound!
Brilliant your face said it all!!
Had an identical AJS 16MS, a superbly capable motorcycle that despite having so little rated power, gave unfailing comfort, reliability and performance.This is the bike that if you gave to someone that was brought up riding only Japanese machinery, they would be totally won over with the slow revving , torquey motor - and the bark from the exhaust !.
His smiles says it all! Beautiful sound
The G3 was my starter bike in Canada. It would do 70MPH with a tailwind, but GAWD, it was a fun bike! I am now in my 60th year of motorcycling.
Richard M. Kruse , and lets hope you have many more 😃👍 I'm only on 36years on the road so a bit of catching up to do 😄
Absolutely first rate, Mr. Ward! The seat upholstery is perfect! Most 'restorations' of this vintage usually have poorly done seat coverings. I did a '59 AJS 18TCS (600cc Typhoon Competition Scrambler) a number of years ago from a pile of boxes and chassis parts. A lot of time spent chasing down NOS pieces like the tail light assembly and headlamp etc. Wish I'd never sold it!
Lovely. Brought back memories of my 1955 500cc twin Matchless (1968) . Wish I still had it!!
I have to join the comments and say I felt the pure relief and happiness in the first start up. I take it you were legging off to tell someone at the end too hehe. To much joy not to share. With anyone that will listen.
Getting the 30 grade oil right through the engine, prior to firing up, would have taken much turning over (plug out, of course, or exhaust valve lifter kept open) and a lot of kick start lever movement.. lol : )
The 1955 year model (my first ever bike in '68) was very similar with the so-called large 'jam pots' (rear shocks) but with an automatic advance/retard counterweight system fitted in a nice alloy casing (with the 'M' for Matchless in bright red) to the front right side of the lower case and projecting forward at about a 60 degree angle, making for (slightly) easier starting than the manual versions (??)
Sometimes, if a backfire occurred the exhaust valve lifter (on the top of the left side of the engine) would 'jam open', robbing ALL compression and making starting impossible, until it was freed back into it's correct closed position.
This feature meant that my stolen bike was immediately found abandoned by the Police after the thieves had backfired the engine on their return trip back home to Glen Innes, finding the bike unrestartable..!!
The bike had been waiting for a rescue pick-up by a bike shop, after the clutch pushrod bearing had shattered, making disengagement impossible.
It had been left in Albert Street outside the Law School early in 1970 overnight by the rather naive owner (your's truly) lol . .
The charming thieves had 'crashed' the gearbox changes through dozens of times, and must have push started it in gear to start it when cold in the first instance, meaning at least two of them were involved.
The Burman gearbox seemed just fine, nevertheless . .
: )
Fantastic
My first bike ,Matchless 350 single with knobbly tires .Actually went for my motorcycle license on it , New Zealand, 15 years old. Paid $80 for it . Never forget it .
Had one as a kid for riding round fields. No compression release on it and a backfire on kickstarting could make a mess of your leg. I only kick started it once. Bump start every other time. Some fun on it
Great!! We have same bike on our channel
Why would anyone give a thumbs down? Unbelievable. Lovely bike, great condition.
My dad now sadly past away always used to tell stories of his exploits as a young man with one of these beautiful contraptions
That looks and sounds a treat, really does and can see how happy you are with it, nice one
kickstarter works alot better when the clutch is engaged
this my dreams moto
You don't get a sense of achievement like that from just pressing a button. Respect.
You will when it doesn't start first push 😆
My father had one of these sold it for 10 quid before we left for Australia in 1965
That was my very first Matchless >> Ooooo . . . . rekindled Love for me !
Great job , i linked through from your extensive web page showing the rebuild , fantastic work ,hope she has been running good and seeing some miles , I have got a 49 Matchless 500 rigid .
That's a really nice build,wish I still had one lovely bike to ride
i had a g5 wonderful bike i believe the G3 was the better bike thanks for the upload
Lovely job John! Sounds a treat too.
chuffed
Bought mine 60 years ago from Pride and Clark. It was nothing like yours!
Matchless 5 horse power
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👌🏼
Maravilha.
" matchless T-Shirt retroracingshirt "
I know how ur feel sir🤩 smile from the deep ur heart
This motorcycle is nice Sir. My father had a 350 cc G3L , the rigid model. Regards.
That smile says it all😁 well done shes a bonny lass ... now get her out on the road where she belongs 👍
I have found you after looking for some info on the Matchless 350. Your web page is fascinating. I know nothing about “old” bikes and would be quite likely to be conned if I tried to buy one. I have owned bikes from the mid 70’s usually fairly new.
What a beauty! All the aggro to get it going: valiant. Smile, when it finally gets lit: priceless!
It looks and sounds sweet. Love it.
Beautiful.. Brit iron rocks
I'm very impressed- I'd be good for three, maybe four kicks, tops… Then I'll be lucky to have enough energy left to wheel it back into the garage lol
Lovely bike, well done that man 👍
Oh yessss proud of you bros
Yep... Its the smile. The smile
Just found you. Nice! In my much younger days, I liked old British singles. Had a BSA B34 and a WDM20, Triumph Cub, and a Vincent Comet. Am puzzled why a Matchless that old has indicators.
Jan... I chose to fit indicators purely as a safety thing. I don't know where you are in the world but riding a relatively slow old motorcycle on the UK's crowded roads is dangerous enough without idiot car drivers assuming you're waving at someone when in fact you're indicating to turn right. The bike hasn't been altered or modified in any way to accept the indicator, and they can easily be removed if some future owner doesn't want them. The full story of this bike and my other bikes can be found on my web pages ... www.whatfunnyhat.com
Thanks for taking the time to have a look at this small offering. John.
We are in the same position Man!
really nice job
I see my late dad again.
Allthough he would wear a blue overall, yellow wooden shoes and a black baret.
And of course our Matchless 350 had a sidecar.
BTW, does it also leak oil?
I don't believe that you will ever get one of these old machines to be totally leak-free, but this one only drops a drip or two from the engine breather when she's stopped running. The chaincase, gearbox and crankcase are oil-tight.... for the moment!! :)
Looks and runs great. I would get rid of those direction indicators though.
Indicators certainly don't look the part but if you want to ride in modern traffic they do make life very much easier - and safer. Of course if you just want to keep her in a museum......
49 years ago I paid £19 for a 1956 AJS 350, 16MS;
Sometimes I loved it bduf bduf bduf
and sometimes it tried to kill me.
Arise Sir Matchless.
Amazing no smoke from the rebuild lubrication no necessity to adjust the carburettor or the ignition timing
I was surprised, too. New bore and piston, new carburettors and converted to coil ignition. Full story at www.whatfunnyhat.com/Frame_Stuff/Matchless.html
We plenty of British bikes , AJS, Matchless , Triumph , BSA, Norton, Sunbeam, Enfield, All vanished in 50 yrs
Just the companys,not the motorcycles.
Beauty.
Great sir
Pretty cool :-D
NICE SMILE 😂
You came for 3:03
Magestic
Worst thing you can do is run an old bike on premium! they are designed for low octane fuels!
Sounds British.
Está mal la carburacion
.
Sounds British.