Matchless G80

A quick run on the 48 Matchless from Mylestom to Urunga via Yellow Rock Road

[@stevenwatsham5973]

I have a 53 G80.. Really nice bike and it has a single seat.. Engine is tight and no rattles.. But it is a mare to start!.. Beautiful to ride..

[@scratchyexma8112]

Why do you feel it is hard to start? The one thing I had to learn is giving it a long, full kick rather than a jab.

[@stevenwatsham5973]

It has its own peculiar way. I have only had the bike a week and I am still going through it.. But it tends to like no throttle at all for starting..

[@stevenwatsham5973]

And I do give it a good long kick..

[@scratchyexma8112]

@Steven Watsham There is a definite process to follow. Petrol on, tickle carbie, advance in right position if no auto advance, top dead centre, decompress to get just past top dead centres, then kick. Took me a little while to get it right but both my bikes usually start 1st or second kick when cold. The 55 can need full throttle when hot.

[@stevenwatsham5973]

I have just bought a brand new Amal monobloc for the bike It was not a huge expense and I just thought it better to start from scratch... Next job is new tires and the replacement of kick start and gear change bushes.. Then the jampots will get attention.. I will eventually rebuild the whole engine as I do not have any history with the bike apart from a best in show trophy from 2019.. She is a mystery... I am also keeping a diary of all the work that I will do to her for the benefit of the next owner after I am gone or can no longer ride it..

[@fireatwill8143]

It doesn't get better than this does it? 😎👍

[@scratchyexma8112]

Love my 48. Much more comfortable than you would imagine.

[@Cobra427Veight]

Looks like a fun day , I have an 49 g80 500 , I've had it going , but motor needs more work it will be good to get it on the road , Cheers

[@scratchyexma8112]

Thanks. Only having it ridden it for three days in 39 years it was like having a new bike all over again. Is yours an iron head motor? If so, I love the way the run.

[@Cobra427Veight]

@@scratchyexma8112 Yes mine is an Iron head 1949 G80 500 rigid , it was 85% restored in austraila but never made it to the road , i bought off a friend , he bought off a cousin that did the work , i have fitted new stainless devon wheel and spokes , it had bad oil leaks from a split pushrod tube then i found it had the wrong piston 1/2 down the bore at tdc , and 3mm ring end gaps and crank pin has a couple of tight spots but , the guy had still had done a reasonable job, i will fully strip and reassemble and add wiring etc its a cool little bike, my dad alwas talked about old Matchy's , so im real keen to make progress . Cheers. i have just uploaded a short video . kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmm3YaeLf6-qp5o

[@scratchyexma8112]

@@Cobra427Veight Nice - thanks for sharing - looks like it's going to be a lovely resto. Bought this from my two doors down neighbour, who owned it from new. He rode it 6 - 7 years, stripped a timing gear, and pulled it all apart and left it in a box for 29 years. After buying it, I sat it in my Dad's garage for another 30 years before the resto.