Road Test
This Matchless has a very soft engine which makes it perfect for green lane work
and will pull from very low revs without any fuss just like a steam engine.
There are no flat spots or vibration zones and the motor spins like a Swiss
watch when cruising. In fact the good manners and docile capability of the motor
could make the rider winder if this was a 350 at times but as soon as the
throttle is opened the extra torque of the 500 makes itself known. This chuffing
docility is almost like a side valve but without any of the 'flatness'. The
motor usually spins into life at the first kick whether hot of cold and the
retard lever can reduce pinking when climbing hills. Cruising speed seems to be
in the 40-55mph zone and the exhaust note is a non-offensive dull thud which
only seems to frighten sheep. Accelerating hard reminds you that this is a 500
OHV.
The cycle is a little high and a little heavy when coming from earlier machinery
but would probably be lower and lighter when coming from more modern machinery
which just goes to show that any motor cycle test is as much about the bike
you've just stepped off as the one you've just mounted. The riding position is
extremely comfortable and the teledraulics and saddle springs make the ride very
easy on the bones. The riding position almost feels like an off road bike and it
feels at home on the rough. The brakes are fairly good and are easy to use.
There was some strange weave felt at the front when approaching 60mpg but this
could have been due to high winds. Handling is fairly neutral and any rider
who's in not too much of a hurry will find swinging through the bends to be very
relaxing.
The clutch is light and has no bad habits. Although Burman gearboxes are
generally crunchy and slow, this one feels almost like it's new and neutral can
be found easily in any circumstance. Ratios are well chosen for 'green laning'.
(I have since 'upped' the gearing by one tooth [17] and this is even more
comfortable for the G80)
Everything works as it should and it is a pleasure to ride. It reconfirms my
belief that 1940s motorcycles are the best 'well kept secret' in the old bike
world with their all round good manners, low stress design , mostly cheap and
available spares and a charm which became lost somewhere in the 1950s.
Who needs and exotic when you can have one of these?
Recommissioning Diary
17 Aug 2008 - Delivery : I have just taken delivery of the
Matchless today and took some photos before doing anything else. Then the
cleaning started. The petrol is old and smells bad so that will be replaced
tomorrow. I've cleaned the magneto pickup brush and soldered the HT cable pickup
disc. The paint comes up quite well and so does the alloy. The magneto delivers
a good spark so there is no reason why it shouldn't start. There is compression
but not that much so maybe the rings are a bit gummed up or maybe the bore is
worn. One of the fork legs has a repair where the mudguard stay attaches. Much
if the paint is original factory paint which is a good reason not to restore it.
The cables are being oiled at the moment and everything needs lubricating. The
battery is dead but the electrics seem to work ok. The oil is about to be
drained and replaced. There are grease nipples all over the bike and these need
a good splodge of grease. The wheels are about to come off to inspect and grease
the bearings. I'll post more photos soon
when it's been cleaned up and taken for a test ride against a scenic backdrop.
20 Aug 2008 - Firing Up : A package arrived from AMC Spares this
morning which contained a few goodies and it was time to fire up which it did
quite easily and the exhaust note is fairly subdued for a big thumper. There's
no great flood of oil when the motor is running and the motor settles down to a
good tickover. There is a certain amount of engine clatter but nothing too
alarming for an old motor. I took it up the lane to see how it works and
everything did work fine except the front brake. The clutch works well and
neutral is easy to select. The back brake is good. But the front brake is
horrendous!
28 Sep 2008 - First Proper Test Ride : After fitting new front brake
and clutch cables and sourcing the 'correct' headlamp glass it was time for a
discovery ride. At last some sun and some time. The Matchless fired up right
away and was taken for a test ride around the countryside. At first the engine
seemed a bit clunky and slow but after a few miles it seemed to blow away the
cobwebs and became quiet and very soft. The punch seemed to increase after about
ten miles. The clutch slips when the throttle is opened too much and the brakes
are almost useless. I could have ridden for many more miles but the brakes
became worse! I can't wait to take this Matchless on a proper long ride now,
maybe to Lands End and back and just need to sort out those brakes. All engine
restarts were first kick. The handling is stable and the ride comfortable. I
like it a lot!
12 Nov 2008 The back wheel came off today. The rear brake shoes are
very greasy and will be sent for new linings.
17 Dec 2008 The wheels are on, the brakes work quite well although
they have a certain woolyness to them as you might expect but they do scrub the
speed off quite well and are good enough. The hubs have had their grease changed
with lithium grease. The big news is that it passed its MOT today! Let the
riding begin.
19 Dec 2008 Today the G80 had its first proper road test. Everything
seems to be working very well and there is nothing that lets the bike down in
any way. I did go off road but with road tyres it's not a good idea although it
does seem to like mild mud plugging but is far too heavy for serious mud
plugging. The motor is very smooth and cruises in the 40-55 range. There is a
strange steering feeling as you approach 60mph which needs investigating and may
just be tyre pressures. I've received a package from AMC Spares with a new rear
wheel spindle to replace the worn spindle and a new rear stand spring as the
current spring has lost its mojo which makes the stand clunk around.
20 Dec 2008 Today the G80 had a second test with a long ride around
Exmoor. We were in the clouds when on top of the moor and the air was full of
mist. Everything continued to work well until near the end when there was some
fuel starvation but this will probably be some dust in the tank blocking the
float needle so I may have to use some tank sealant to fix this. Apart from that
the trials are over.
March 2009 The rear axle (bent) was replaced as well as the rear stand
spring. The rear lamp has been replaced with a Lucas MT211. The silencer
mounting has fractured and bee repaired but I am looking for the original
silencer which has a different type of mounting.
Spring 2010
The engine is quite worn and before the summer comes it's a good time to
give the G80 a birthday. The refurbished parts include... New big end, small
end, engine
bearings, rebore & piston, valves & springs, gearbox main bearings, tyres, voltage
regulator, battery, regulator, sprockets & chain.
Summer 2010 The Matchless is back! I have run him about 40 miles but
the exhaust valve train has gone slack and I suspect that there is something
wrong with the valve lifter mechanism which I need to examine. It is silky
smooth and fells almost like a new bike. I really should have had the carb
rebuilt at the same time because it has a slightly flat spot low down which I
think is due to slide wear. (Update. The carb has been rebuilt)
Spring 2011 The exhaust valve has seized twice now and in both cases
the pushrod was bent. The guide was found to be tight and has been opened to a
clearance of 4.5 thou. Also, there was no oil reaching the rocker gear. This is
the final hurdle and you can find out more about the oil pump blues
here.
July 2011 The G80 is at last back on the road and is clocking up some
running in miles. Running oil is being used and I'll change this for normal oil
after 500 miles. Note the silencer has changed to the original type.
May 2009 :
Tour of Cornwall
1947 Matchless G80
