AJS & Matchless Owners Club

We have a Military rigid Tele G3. The engine number is 40/G3 *****. This is on the tax book entered as both the engine number and the frame number. We have looked on the frame but cannot find a number in the usual place under the saddle, or anywhere else for that matter. Can anyone out there advise us as to whether the Military bikes did not have a frame number, or whether the engine number served for both engine and frame. If this is not the case presumably the bike was rebuilt at some time with a new frame and the number never put on. Thanks for your help.

Welcome, Robert.
Have a look at this site which is specifically about WD Matchlesses. The Home page has an index of much more info but
if you scroll down this page (link below) there's info on engine and frame numbers, plus more:


http://www.matchlesswd.co.uk/engine-and-frame-numbers/

Hi Spriddler. Thanks for that. It gives us plenty to be working on. All the best from the Bogs

It would be difficult to find a Military bike still as it left the factory. They could have been re built a few times. Some times given a rebuild plate with some details. The bike could have been captured a few times and recaptured, often picking up mysterious stampings. All WD frame and engine numbers are known. Even if you find a frame number, you will still need to have knowledge as to what frame you have. Frame numbers re started with 41/G3L, then restarted again post war. 3 era's to confirm from which era the frame is from. You may still find a rear end frame number, on the right, on the flat at the top, where it bolts onto the front half.