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  1. #1
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    Matchless Carrier does it again.

    Whilst sourcing bits for my Matchless WD G3L, I've gathered up quite a few extra parts, sometimes wanting one part out of a box of bits on ebay etc they soon add up, the idea was to build another bike from the bits into a late AJS or Matchless Heavyweight frame ......

    I seen an advert for a AJS Model 8........ Intesions were only to go and look at the bike to see if I could use or transplant most of the gear etc, but ended up buying it ........ the price was too good and couldn't walk away, so picked it up last week in the Matchless Carrier.

    Weather put a stop on things for a few days, was good yesterday so after curing the fuel leaks (no clips on the fuel pipes) and using a temp battery I fired it up, the previous guy who had it stores his bikes with diesel in the tanks so after swilling the tank out and giving the carb a quick rinse through........... it fired up, not as much smoke as I anticipated........., so was more than happy, took it for a quick spin but never got far as the front brake cable snapped..... new one on order and brakes and drums inspected and cleaned .....

    Its an oily rag example, there is rust etc but only minor, runs sweet as a nut and its all there except for a small cover that covers the adjustment for the gearbox and.

    Its on the road , Insured and taxed although it doesn't need tax you still have to tax it but at no cost, the MOT is not needed as no major alterations and is over 40 years old.

    The reason behind the AJS model 8/Matchless G5 (same bike different badges) was mainly they are still cheap compared to older AMC bikes, also with very few parts easy to make it into a replica of the model 14 CS scrambler, which it will look like in the future, for now it will just be a runabout, one thing I do need is to put a aftermarket set of indicators on it, can't say I like them on a classic but with todays drivers I doubt many know what I'd be doing with my left arm out....

    The suppliers name is Joe Pengelly & Sons Ltd , Redruth Falmouth.

    The last pic shows what can be done with them..... Scrambler, trail or trials. All though advertised as a Lightweight they were the heaviest of all the "Lightweights of the day.






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    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
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    Nice one Geoff, looking really good. I assume the use of diesel is to act as a long term preservative?

    I look forward to following your progress mate.

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    Contributing Member 30Three's Avatar
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    My Father used to have AJS and Matchless singles many years ago; the 500 Scrambler version was his favourite. However the bikes all went when I was 3 or 4 years old.
    When he retired, I gave him my XT500 to use while I went abroad to work. The idea being that I would use it when home on holiday. He sold it to a neighbour for not much money when he got ill.
    I did buy a replacement though. Still think an AJS like his would be good to have one day though

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    Quote Originally Posted by mrclark303 View Post
    Nice one Geoff, looking really good. I assume the use of diesel is to act as a long term preservative?

    I look forward to following your progress mate.
    John, Thats right long term preserve regarding diesel, he never filled them to the brim but the tank was removed from the frame etc and then shaken (not stirred) every so often.

    He had some really nice bikes, the T110 was nice but he was wanting top price, not sure if it was all original etc. The AJS will remain as is for some time, probably a running "slight" restoration. It was only to do with not wanting to use the WD G3L as a daily hack when finished, The idea was too build a replica with the bits left over and use the running gear from the AJS......

    The WD will get used but not the best bike to leave outside Tesco's etc......... Although I doubt many would be able to start it, its very easy to get in a van....... as the price of Military Vehicles continues, even the thieves have noted the price difference between a Civvie G3L to a WD one, in fact there was someone on the HMVF that had a Bren Gun Carrier stolen...............
    Any WD bike know will set you back around £6000, if anyone is interested in looking to compare prices then you only have to look on Milweb or Stewart Bray's website. The BSA M20 now demands a high premium, I've a few bits to make a start on one.....

    Quote Originally Posted by 30Three View Post
    My Father used to have AJS and Matchless singles many years ago; the 500 Scrambler version was his favourite. However the bikes all went when I was 3 or 4 years old.
    When he retired, I gave him my XT500 to use while I went abroad to work. The idea being that I would use it when home on holiday. He sold it to a neighbour for not much money when he got ill.
    I did buy a replacement though. Still think an AJS like his would be good to have one day though
    30Three, The 500 does demand a high premium, but they do look really nice too......... The AJS is just practical for what I need or was looking to do with it, strange thing is, although cheaper than than the Matchless G3L / Ajs 16M (again same bikes different badge and early AJS had the timing cover face forward ) they were only made for 2 years.

    I love the old Britishicon classics, but the WD bikes have more appeal, a few reasons, there wasn't that many makes and variants, no worries regarding chrome and paintwork chips easily cured with a brush of Khaki, Service brown, olive drab.....

    Just received the front brake cable I sourced on ebay, another thing about old bikes, there are still parts about in there original boxes..... this was a 1/4 of the price of a new made one and free post......

    Makes you think how many parts etc end up on the tip when someones garage/ workshop is cleared out.


    Last edited by bigduke6; 09-26-2018 at 09:31 AM.

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    Legacy Member Paul S.'s Avatar
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    Lucky b*****d!

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    Legacy Member Merle's Avatar
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    I remember Matchless and AJS from my youth - but it seems nobody else in the USAicon does......

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    Quote Originally Posted by Merle View Post
    I remember Matchless and AJS from my youth - but it seems nobody else in the USAicon does......
    I don't think they cornered the market in the USA like BSA and Triumph did, I'll try and download the brochure that was produced for the US, its a shame as AMC did have some success in racing can't remember what it was badged as.

    Personally I think they produced too many models plus buying other Motorcycle companies, I read somewhere there profit in the early 60's was around £250,000 compared to BSA which was £3.5 million.

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    Great Machine! Enjoy! Thanks for sharing!
    Luis

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    Quote Originally Posted by Luis Bren View Post
    Great Machine! Enjoy! Thanks for sharing!
    Thanks Luis, I've asked on the HMVF regarding Brake Shoes, Russell Motors come up ....... I didn't know he did other parts apart from AMC, so will call him tomorrow for you.

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    I lusted for a Matchless back in the day. I just loved the looks.

    In the news (date unknown): Matchless Motorcycles gets a rebirth ~ Wheel-O-Mania
    Last edited by Paul S.; 10-01-2018 at 08:33 PM.

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