Matchless in Cape Town

Cape Town · Post by **Cape Town** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:22 pm

Hi
I have recently purchased what I hope to be all the parts to a Matchless, with the aim being a father/son rebuild project. The engine is stamped 55/G80S27495....so I assume that means I have a 1955, G80S on my hands. The frame is stamped 16117, but the is a bit squiggly, so might not be a 6 at all. How can I find out the frame year and if this engine does indeed belong to this frame? Once I have that ascertained I can research the colour ways in the day for restoration purposes.
I will begin by snad-blasting and powder-coating the frame, then restore the bodywork, then elctrics, engine etc..... It's been 35 years since I last undertook such a project, and that was with considerable help form a friend's father (on Triumph's), so any and all help and advice would be most welcome.
I'll keep you all in the loop as to progress....

Nic and Connor Davis (Noordhoek, Cape Town, South Africa)

nottsSteve · Post by **nottsSteve** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:49 pm

From the blue Bacon book...

Heavyweight Singles and Twins: Frame Numbers

Date Number

1946 500
1947 12760
1948 23358
1949 35000
1950 47000
9/50 59744
9/51 74100
9/52 89501
9/53 A4797
9/54 A21057
9/55 37700
9/56 49350
9/57 59492
9/59 72300
9/60 76550
9/62 A83900
9/63 85669

SPRIDDLER · Post by **SPRIDDLER** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:26 pm

Welcome, Nic and Connor

To establish as much info as is available re. the original frame, engine, g/box numbers you need a dating certificate. Info found by going to 'Club' at the toolbar above, scroll down to 'Machine Dating'. Tells you all you need to know.

Owners Manual here:
http://archives.jampot.dk/Book/Owners_m ... ingles.pdf

Parts List here:
http://archives.jampot.dk/Book/Spares_l ... ingles.pdf

Workshop Manual (AJS but same thing)
http://archives.jampot.dk/Book/Workshop ... dition.pdf

These are all from Christian's Archive - a goldmine of info maintained voluntarily by Christian. A donation to the site upkeep would be appreciated - See the site Home Page for all details and much more AMC info.

Good luck.

Cape Town · Post by **Cape Town** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:03 pm

Wow gents, many thanks for all the valuable info!
I shall certainly make a donation to the cause - who is Christian btw?

SPRIDDLER · Post by **SPRIDDLER** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:25 pm

It has been compiled and the considerable challenge is maintained voluntarily by Christian Gyde in Denmark.
Here's the Home page with details of all available archive material:

http://archives.jampot.dk/

It'll save you hours of trial and error and the considerable cost of hard copy manuals etc.
It's a good browse too on a wet afternoon.

PGGuse · Post by **PGGuse** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:10 am

quote:
It's a good browse too on a wet afternoon.

...in Cape Town - are you sure, they know what it is? Edited by - PGGuse on 17 Jul 2011 11:23:54 PM

SPRIDDLER · Post by **SPRIDDLER** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:40 am

Oh, dear, dear dear. Silly me.
Mind you, I've never had such a fun evening as with the posts on various topics here today.
lol, Bro, innit dude?

Cape Town · Post by **Cape Town** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 4:03 pm

quote:
quote:
It's a good browse too on a wet afternoon.

...in Cape Town - are you sure, they know what it is? Edited by - PGGuse on 17 Jul 2011 11:23:54 PM

hahaha - yep, we certainly don't get as many of those as you do, but we get our fair share, every fourth year usually!

Cape Town · Post by **Cape Town** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 4:08 pm

I must add that this is a truly global fred.....a sun-baked (sorry!) South African with way too many questions, a Brit with all the answers , a Dane calling the shots and a German with a sense of humour......loving it

1948AJSbaby · Post by **1948AJSbaby** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:22 am

Two days after Cape Town is cold and wet, Johannesburg gets cold, but not wet. Just had some gorgeous 22C weather for the last week, but watching the F1 at Nurburgring it was pretty cold there.