Matchless G50

Ridden by Tommy Robb himself and presented with a lovely picture of him on the bike on a race start line with a personal message of thanks to the owner of the time and signed by the man himself.  This is an excellent late example of Matchless’ iconic race winning single. Last used in 2004 and comes with some interesting history which includes detailed set-up notes and specifications from around 2003 when it was ridden in classic events. These notes are detailed and convey a reassuring sense of technical competence, including pages of piston to valve clearances, squish band measures and compression ratios. There is an original table of gear ratios provided to the owner by Tommy Robb and detailed in a signed letter from Tommy dated 1995. It’s due in any time now but just look at it and imagine what fun you could have on it when recommissioned by Classic Bike Workshop. Has a CRMCC registration number issued in 1992 and the certificate is on file, along with a picture of the owner/racer himself on track. The engine number 4801 appears clearly and unmolested on the engine and in all the paperwork, the frame number; again clearly stamped and unmolested; is 1653 on the base of the steering head stem. I’m no expert but I’d say this is an incredibly well preserved original frame with an engine in race-spec crankcases which is what it should be if used on track. Gearbox is stamped LWH5 easily visible, there are more numbers on closer inspection; 71 G50 and a casting mark on the crankcases. Pictures provided on application.

Workshop inspection now completed and it is clear that this machine has been properly decommissioned for storage/ display. Alloy fuel tank is clean and empty, same as the oil tank, oil feed and return pipes blanked off and everything inside is clean, oiled and free-moving. Good compression and a very healthy spark from the Lucas competition magneto. There is a workshop report available and we feel strongly that it will recommission with the minimum of attention but we’re not going to go any further because we know that the next owner will probably want to inspect and decide for themselves what to do and what not to do. We will recommission if asked to of course, at cost. It will be loud!