Rear stand. Knack to deploy it!?

[mikenco]

Hi,

I am completely new to bikes of this period, and I'm after tips about the little stand attached near the rear wheel spindle. I unclip it and it drops down, all good, but unlike a centre stand on the bikes I am used to, I can't just press it down and lean back on the handle bars, or lift under the seat. Anyone got a description or link to a video showing the correct way to use the stand?

[mikenco]

Well, 28 views, zero replies...

I rode the bike round the block today. It's so different from all the Japanese bikes I've ridden in the last few decades. My next challenge is the air mixture and ignition levers. This thing has the acceleration of a Suffolk Punch lawn mower (I had one of those and loved it). Pretty sure I am doing it wrong.

I could really use the advice of my Grandad or my Great Grandad, as they used to race vintage bikes back in the day, but alas, they are long gone.

If anyone has been to the Transport Museum in Dover, the Ted Pursey garage display is about my Grandad. I used Photoshop to colour his photo of a Matchless G3 out in Egypt in the 1950s, when he was a Royal Marine Commando. They have his photo on the wall in there now.

It's long shot, but if anyone is in the Dover area and wouldn't mind sharing a few pointers on what I should be looking for when trying to get the old girl running better, that'd be hugely appreciated.

M.

[clive]

Quite a lot of our regular contributors are at our annual rally. Most rigids have a handle extending above the rear mudguard from one of the stays or a rear carrier. Technique for getting on the stand is to drop the stand and walk round the back of the bike whilst holding it upright. Foot against the stand and pull on the carrier or handle towards you.

[SPRIDDLER]

Well, 28 views, zero replies...

As Clive mentioned; many of us have been away at the club's annual Jampot rally.

It helps a lot to generate interest/replies if you mention the year and model in your post for the bike to which you are referring. Not everyone can be arsed to delve into a Profile for clues in order to help.

It's so different from all the Japanese bikes I've ridden in the last few decades. My next challenge is the air mixture and ignition levers. This thing has the acceleration of a Suffolk Punch lawn mower.

Maybe you're expecting too much after decades with more modern bikes?

If it's the 1929 T4 in your Profile it's a bit too old for my first-hand experience but you should be able to find an Owners Manual and Workshop info for 1929 or similar bikes (1928/1930) detailing operation of the levers etc. under 'Books' in the link below:

http://archives.jampot.dk/

[mikenco]

Quite a lot of our regular contributors are at our annual rally. Most rigids have a handle extending above the rear mudguard from one of the stays or a rear carrier. Technique for getting on the stand is to drop the stand and walk round the back of the bike whilst holding it upright. Foot against the stand and pull on the carrier or handle towards you.

Since posting that, I spotted the rail over the rear mudguard was pretty tough, thank you for confirming that is the method. Much appreciated.

[mikenco]

Well, 28 views, zero replies...

As Clive mentioned; many of us have been away at the club's annual Jampot rally.

It helps a lot to generate interest/replies if you mention the year and model in your post for the bike to which you are referring. Not everyone can be arsed to delve into a Profile for clues in order to help.

It's so different from all the Japanese bikes I've ridden in the last few decades. My next challenge is the air mixture and ignition levers. This thing has the acceleration of a Suffolk Punch lawn mower.

Maybe you're expecting too much after decades with more modern bikes?

If it's the 1929 T4 in your Profile it's a bit too old for my first-hand experience but you should be able to find an Owners Manual and Workshop info for 1929 or similar bikes (1928/1930) detailing operation of the levers etc. under 'Books' in the link below:

http://archives.jampot.dk/

Apologies for not mentioning the model, mine's a '29 T4 Matchless, The rear stand is one of those little A-frame things.

I am fully prepared for pedestrian performance, to be honest, that is part of the appeal.

Thank you so much for that link to the archive!!

[SPRIDDLER]

Apologies for not mentioning the model, mine's a '29 T4 Matchless,

No prob. I only mentioned putting the bike details in the post as it does help to catch the eye of the knowledgeable and give a feel for the nature of the enquiry and for new (and very welcome) contributors to the Forums. Many of us tend to specialise in specific models. In 60 years of motorcycling I've only had single cylinder machines so I tend to look at those posts rather than the ones about twin cylinder engines and leave the twins to the long-suffering shed-dwellers who seem to like them for some reason.

LATER EDIT after original post: There is another website specifically for pre-war AMC bikes which you may find useful. Here's the link........

https://ajsmatchless.groups.io/g/PrewarWDAJSM

Thank you so much for that link to the archive!!

It's a gold mine of technical information and AJS / Matchless history.