matchless G85CS

Information relating to the Matchless G85 500cc Heavyweight, AJS 7R, Matchless G45 and Matchless G50
ranger
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Posts: 154
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 1999 12:00 am
Location: HAMPSHIRE UK

matchless G85CS

Post by ranger »

Hi Frank

I've found that Russell Motors in London often have the elusive parts (CS & P11) that the spares scheme or others don't have. Call Jeff at Russells on 0044 2072281714, fax 0044 2079244273 or email spares@russellmotors.co.uk

Good luck

Tim
matchlessg85cs
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Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: NETHERLANDS

matchless G85CS

Post by matchlessg85cs »

Hi Tim,

How are you doing on P11 ??
I send my list to Russells....thanks for that
ever heard from the man in England who had probably a G85 for sale
I hope to finish my bike this winter...I am pretty far

I as well know a guy desperately in search for a P11 frame
it seems that the market is getting empty

take care Frank
ranger
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Posts: 154
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 1999 12:00 am
Location: HAMPSHIRE UK

matchless G85CS

Post by ranger »

P11s coming on fine - have the 3 different types on the road now. Sadly, the G85 sale never came to anything so don't know much more. Last time I looked, 'British Only' in USA had a couple of P11 frames for sale on their website catalogue. I don't know of any others for sale.

Best wishes & good luck with the rebuild completion.

Tim
matchlessg85cs
Posts: 73
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: NETHERLANDS

matchless G85CS

Post by matchlessg85cs »

why is there so little knowledge on one of the latest model
and its history on the club`s website
just wonder
would like to see more pictures special factory pictures

Don Madden
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Location: USA USA

matchless G85CS

Post by Don Madden »

Few were built & are rarely seen. I probably see as many any here in California but rarely encounter one.
Cheers, Don.
ranger
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Posts: 154
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 1999 12:00 am
Location: HAMPSHIRE UK

matchless G85CS

Post by ranger »

When they were built, the scrambles scene in UK was already being taken over by lighter faster 2 strokes. Also, they were not much use to the Americans for their main events being wrongly geared. However, the frame was just what they wanted for the desert, hence the P11. So, as Don said, few were made, few were raced, few come up for sale, few are useful road bikes, so the knowledge and rebuild info just isn't around over here.
matchlessg85cs
Posts: 73
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: NETHERLANDS

matchless G85CS

Post by matchlessg85cs »

thanks and I know the G85CS came a little to late on the Scramble market
I only wonder if there were no AMC pictures of the racing department
also wondered why the AMC used the expensive 7R/G50 hub
itma
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Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2005 6:01 pm
Location: UK

matchless G85CS

Post by itma »

I think a lot of them got either raced to destruction, or reframed, or modified for road racing, sprinters and the like; around the end of the 1970`s there were a lot of engines & used bits about, I sold a couple of them to germany where they where put into featherbed frames, another G85Cs Metisse I sent to Spain.
At that time also there ws a shortage of spares for these engines which probably did'nt help.
The reason for the 7R hub was likely little more than they had some left, and wanted to use them up.
matchlessg85cs
Posts: 73
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: NETHERLANDS

matchless G85CS

Post by matchlessg85cs »

well thanks itma and others
I manage a website of these neat MX bikes but never saw a factory picture
only once I saw a picture of the AMC racing department with a few G50 racebikes
I use my website to share information to others but I allway`s interested in someone else`s story or information

Don Madden
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Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: USA USA

matchless G85CS

Post by Don Madden »

Roy Bacon's "AJS and Matchless-The Postwar Models" has a good front quarter photo of the G85CS on page 61. It appears to be a factory photo.

I have a phot of Don White of White Brothers Racing purchasing a G85CS at El Camino a couple of years ago. Another of the same bike about a year later after being restored by Don Harrell.

Cheers, Don.
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