A wee Matchless project

[Rannsachair]

Another bike in the local shop, looks like a keeper, runs really sweet as well
View attachment 363579

My great Uncle on his BSA in Egypt during the war, he is still alive and has shrapnel in him from Dunkirk.

 

[Rannsachair]

I had a quick go on one of these yesterday, pic off eBay but the same bike.
View attachment 363591
It was nice to plod up the lane on. The fueling was really good with no snatch on and off the throttle which surprised me, I think this is the first fuel injected bike I've ever ridden!

There's something about a big single I like...

Thats a massive silencer! Mine is pretty loud, love the noise of an old single on full chat going up through the gears.

 

[Cobbler]

My great Uncle on his BSA in Egypt during the war, he is still alive and has shrapnel in him from Dunkirk.
View attachment 363598

Must be one of the few left now, doing well.

 

[Rannsachair]

Filled my Matchless with petrol today as I have been using it more, just realsided I am getting almost 80 mpg..... 1954 technology in comparison the 28 I get from my Landy. As well I have mainly been commuting by bike.

Bikes got a wash today:

then the rain started

 

[Rannsachair]

Am back working on this bike, it had on fork stanchion with pitting on the seal area, got a good second hand stanchion and new seals that I am fitting now:

Also got an original type metal pump today, for my 55 Matchless:

 

[Rannsachair]

Took the Matchless out the shed today, not been a run on it since October I suspect, would it start...briefly.

So 1. drain tank of old fuel, 2. Clean out tank and a blocked petrol tap. 3. Fill with fresh Premium fuel and out a run.

Got me in the mood so did similar with my R75 and Bonnie

 

[Rannsachair]

So back last October I stripped the front forks down to fit better second hand stanchions as one was pitted over the seal area. I took the opportunity to fit new bushes and seals then went to reassemble and could not find the fork tool I shared with my dad, dad eventually found some of it, none of the parts I needed. I think it was £40 for the tool, so recently bought a new one:

and reassembled the forks using the 1" 20 tpi adaptor:

Will get the front mudguard and front wheel on in the next few days, been sitting far too long.

 

[Roger Williams]

Lovely bikes you have !. My old rotary is 40 now , nice not to have to tax and mot it anymore. I know you have to still pay zero to keep the DVLA happy though !.

 

[Rannsachair]

Lovely bikes you have !. My old rotary is 40 now , nice not to have to tax and mot it anymore. I know you have to still pay zero to keep the DVLA happy though !. View attachment 400606

Do not see many rotary Norton's about. Memories of Steve Spray and Trevor Nation on JPS Norton's and Hizzy at the TT are flooding back

 

[OJCar]

I remember marshalling at Knockhill and watching Trevor Nation deliberately making the Norton shoot flame out of the exhaust at McIntyre corner to stop someone going up the inside under braking.

 

[redlig]

Do not see many rotary Norton's about. Memories of Steve Spray and Trevor Nation on JPS Norton's and Hizzy at the TT are flooding back

Sounded out of this world . Second only to a Honda 6 or 5 or 2 (50) or Manx or **********

 

[Roger Williams]

In my opinion , 2 of the best motorcycle engines must be either the KTM 1290 or a rotary . Im just a tad biased lol . Have you seen the video of Guy Martin riding Brian Crightons new bike, pretty impressive ?.

 

[Robotstar5]

Do not see many rotary Norton's about. Memories of Steve Spray and Trevor Nation on JPS Norton's and Hizzy at the TT are flooding back

I saw an Interpol 2 at a show.

 

[dobbslc]

Lovely bikes you have !. My old rotary is 40 now , nice not to have to tax and mot it anymore. I know you have to still pay zero to keep the DVLA happy though !. View attachment 400606

Nice, I like the Astralites!

 

[Roger Williams]

Thanks, unfortunately not made anymore

 

[Rannsachair]

A little more work done on the Matchless
Front mudguard, tool box, headlamp bowl fitted, everything takes a while sorting out bolts and nuts running taps through painted threads.

Rear mudguard and tail light on

The red piping round the rear number plate mounting is the usual submerge in boiling water for a minute to get it to fit.

Selected the best parts out of 2 used sets of clutches and made up a reasonable clutch better than the old one.

Slow progress, though the most work done on it in years.

 

[Rannsachair]

This bike was originally a basket case, realised that whoever had selected the top gearbox bolt had made it 1/2 " too short to fit the primary chain adjuster. Only was to rectify was a clutch and chaincase off!

That top bolt with the nut!

Correct bolt now fitted for gearbox/chain adjuster.

Discovering the woodruff key for the dynamo had pinged away or been previously omitted necessitated the age old bodge of finding a bolt with the correct shank diameter, cutting a slice then filling to size.

Clutch basket refitted after a light file:

I had a helper:

 

[RichardM]

On a total tangent, a load of Sunbeams came through Belper yesterday sounding lovely, unfortunately no photos. Did make me thin of buying an old British bike to play with.

 

[Rannsachair]

On a total tangent, a load of Sunbeams came through Belper yesterday sounding lovely, unfortunately no photos. Did make me thin of buying an old British bike to play with.

Marston Sunbeam's are something special.

 

[RichardM]

They all looked like latter (post WW2) BSA variants.