Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Information relating to the Matchless G11 or AJS Model 30 600cc twin
BruceB
Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 11:42 pm
Location: INVERNESS-SHIRE UK

Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Post by BruceB »

I just bought what I thought was a Model 20 in lots of boxes at the weekend, it wasn't expensive and once I sell a few parts like the Avon fairing, the watsonian Sidecar frame and a few duplicate parts I reckon it will be less than £500 all in.
However while all the engine is a 58 Mod 20 and all the cycle parts and tinware seem to also be 58 AJS Mod 20 in colour and style I just checked the frame number and its a 56 G11 frame! I assumed that it was all AJS until I checked. If pushed I would say I preferred the G11 option if possible, my old G12 with megaphones was known as the sheep scarer :lol:
I am not that bothered about matching numbers at the price and would be rebuilding it for me rather than to sell so need to work out to build it as a G11, a Mod 20 or just a bitsa that looks like a G11.
There is no hurry in making a decision as I am already rebuilding other vehicles, its just put by in the queue. However it is easier to start building up the parts over the next year or so.
The query is, do I look for a 600 G11 engine and what is the likelihood of getting one or should I just build it as a Mod 20? The engine is in bits so needs rebuilt anyway. Are there G11 engines needing rebuilt out there at a reasonable price or someone need a 500 twin?
Last edited by BruceB on Mon May 23, 2022 7:31 pm, edited 2 times in total.
66 BSA Spitfire MK11
77 Yamaha XS750 Triple
98 Suzuki Bandit GSF600S
78 Honda Superdream (rebuilding)
51 Cyclemaster (in queue)
56 G11 bitsa (in boxes awaiting courage)
78 Series Landrover (rebuilding)
72 MG Midget (in queue)
06 Honda XL1000
BruceB
Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 11:42 pm
Location: INVERNESS-SHIRE UK

Re: Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Post by BruceB »

Or a swop of a G11 engine in boxes for a Mod 20 engine in boxes would work for me!
66 BSA Spitfire MK11
77 Yamaha XS750 Triple
98 Suzuki Bandit GSF600S
78 Honda Superdream (rebuilding)
51 Cyclemaster (in queue)
56 G11 bitsa (in boxes awaiting courage)
78 Series Landrover (rebuilding)
72 MG Midget (in queue)
06 Honda XL1000
raffles
Member
Posts: 609
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: NORTHAMPTONSHIRE UK

Re: Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Post by raffles »

Why not just use what you have and build a bike. You can allways put 600 heads and barrels on it. Then it would be almost a G11
Tony
BruceB
Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 11:42 pm
Location: INVERNESS-SHIRE UK

Re: Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Post by BruceB »

I may do that, barrels and heads are available for the G11 quite readily although I would need to investigate whether I could modify the 58 500 I have.
Personally I am not fussed if it ends up a 500 or a 600, it just puzzles me that everything is 58 AJS, right down the colour of the tinware and the chromed side covers and tank plus the engine and gearbox but the frame is a 56 G11 when I checked the frame number, that was a bit of a surprise.
I am not keen on both the looks and cost of all the chroming anyway so would prefer to just paint everything as a Matchless, which is probably what I'll do.
I am currently finishing off a 78 Honda Superdream and just started a series Landrover so it will be a while before I get to it, it really just starting to keep an eye out for anything I am obviously needing so when I start I don't have too many delays.
I used to find the megaphone exhaust on my previous G12 quite entertaining anyway so Matchless is probably the way to go again.
66 BSA Spitfire MK11
77 Yamaha XS750 Triple
98 Suzuki Bandit GSF600S
78 Honda Superdream (rebuilding)
51 Cyclemaster (in queue)
56 G11 bitsa (in boxes awaiting courage)
78 Series Landrover (rebuilding)
72 MG Midget (in queue)
06 Honda XL1000
User avatar
clive
Member
Posts: 5657
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: LONDON UK

Re: Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Post by clive »

Bruce can you use the adverts section of the forum to track down the missing parts please as we do not allow adverts in the general forum. I will move this thread there. Better still go to the adverts in the top bar from the home page and place an advert as this will reach many more people when it appears automatically in the next magazine.
Hope you track down what you need.
Adverts Ed
clive
if it ain't broke don't fix
BruceB
Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 11:42 pm
Location: INVERNESS-SHIRE UK

Re: Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Post by BruceB »

I am not looking for anything at the moment, just trying to figure out if I should.
The thread is more about trying to figure out what I have and what I do with it rather than look for parts, I am not even sure if I need any parts yet or if I do what parts they would be.
66 BSA Spitfire MK11
77 Yamaha XS750 Triple
98 Suzuki Bandit GSF600S
78 Honda Superdream (rebuilding)
51 Cyclemaster (in queue)
56 G11 bitsa (in boxes awaiting courage)
78 Series Landrover (rebuilding)
72 MG Midget (in queue)
06 Honda XL1000
User avatar
clive
Member
Posts: 5657
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: LONDON UK

Re: Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Post by clive »

BruceB wrote: Mon May 23, 2022 6:43 pm Or a swop of a G11 engine in boxes for a Mod 20 engine in boxes would work for me!
Sorry Bruce sure looked like a wanted ad to me. I will move it back to to the model area.
clive
if it ain't broke don't fix
BruceB
Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 11:42 pm
Location: INVERNESS-SHIRE UK

Re: Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Post by BruceB »

Just trying to work out what is possible, I think I will probably build it as a G11 which just happens to be fitted with a AJS 500 twin rather than the M 600. If the bits come up at some point to either make it into a 600 or a 600 engine appears I will think about it at the time.
it was just a surprise as everything I got at the weekend looked like a AJS spring twin till I checked the chassis number properly!
66 BSA Spitfire MK11
77 Yamaha XS750 Triple
98 Suzuki Bandit GSF600S
78 Honda Superdream (rebuilding)
51 Cyclemaster (in queue)
56 G11 bitsa (in boxes awaiting courage)
78 Series Landrover (rebuilding)
72 MG Midget (in queue)
06 Honda XL1000
User avatar
dave16mct
Member
Posts: 3234
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: LANCASHIRE UK

Re: Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Post by dave16mct »

Could you post some pictures?
Dave.
BruceB
Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 11:42 pm
Location: INVERNESS-SHIRE UK

Re: Model 20 in boxes not what it seemed...........

Post by BruceB »

Anything in particular? Just salted it away all around the workshop in various places, especially as it is another project my other half doesn't know about yet :D
66 BSA Spitfire MK11
77 Yamaha XS750 Triple
98 Suzuki Bandit GSF600S
78 Honda Superdream (rebuilding)
51 Cyclemaster (in queue)
56 G11 bitsa (in boxes awaiting courage)
78 Series Landrover (rebuilding)
72 MG Midget (in queue)
06 Honda XL1000
Post Reply