AJS & Matchless Owners Club

Hi all,

I'm already a classic car fan and have owned several old cars and I've recently developed an interest in classic bikes. I have a space in my garage perfect for restoring a bike and would love to have a go.

The picture below is of my dad's bike, which I think he had from new. It looks to be a Matchless G11, I would love to find a similar one to restore. Can anyone tell from the photo what the exact model and year it is?

There doesn't appear to be many around for sale on the internet so approximately how much am I looking at to buy a complete resto project? What is the parts situation like?



Many thanks in advance for any comments and advice.
Dario

It's difficult to see from your photo but it looks as if the barrels have six fins, in which case it's a pre '56 G9 500cc. G11's have seven fins but with jampot rear shocks and tin chaincase it could only be a '56 model. Engine no's are stamped on the l/h crankcase just above the dynamo, frame no's on the r/h front down tube.

A '56 G11 restoration project recently sold on ebay for £1300 although you should be able to find a cheaper one. G9's would be less.

The Club run an excellent spares service with most parts (except for some tinware) readily available.

ah, 500cc rings a bell, I'm sure my dad said he had a 500.

Thanks for your reply.

Check out the Kettering Classic Motorcycles at:

http://www.kettering-classics.com/store ... ategory=90

Which is Jampot Spares Ltd.' outlet for complete motorcycles. I see both a Matchless G11 and an AJS 30 on their list.

The bike is pre 1956, probably a G9.
Note it has kidney shape tool boxes , 1955
was the last year for these. It looks like the teles have the domes on the top fork bolts, only 55 had these domes, it looks like it does not have the square profile 1954 full width front hub, so that confirms it can only be a 1955 bike.

Good to see they even pi##ed oil out when new !

I have now checked the reg. no.
UKE was only used from Dec 54 to Jan 55.
1955 models would had been for sale at & from the date of the 1954 motor cycle show.
It could be a late 54 but my moneys still on 55, pity we cannot see if the rear wheel is cotton reel or full width hub.

The front brake lever is also at the bottom of the drum so this should be a 1955 model.

What great responses, thanks very much indeed. I'll have to get myself a 1955 G9 then.

Dario

It's a '55 G9, the Matchless equivalent of my own '55 AJS model 20: http://www.ajs-matchless.com/pic_display.asp?id=175