‘We need to get out and support the events’
Ican’t believe we’re already a quarter of the way through the year. I’ve been really busy since the new year, which is (hopefully) a good sign for 2023. In fact, I can’t remember a busier start to the year. The phone has been ringing and I’ve sold a few bikes.
But, outside of work, I’m determined to take in a few classic events. I’m doing the Malle Rally in June, so I really need to get my Matchless Model X sorted. The bike is an older restoration that I discovered in Italy and bought without even seeing it. With my dealer head on, that’s not the way to buy a bike, but it’s in good condition. I’ve got a UK registration for it, so that’s the first job done, and I’ve had it up on the bench to find out what it needs.
The engine and magneto seem good – there’s a nice fat, blue spark from the mag, and it looks like it’s been rebuilt fairly recently. The engine runs well and I’m pretty familiar with the side-valve Matchless engine from my long association with Brough Superiors. It’s already been converted to 12-volt electrics, too. I’m sure it’ll handle the rally OK.
But the brakes definitely need a little work. At the least, I’ll need new brake shoes and a little work with a file to get them bedded into the drums. But I may look at getting the brake drums skimmed and machining some oversize linings to match the drum perfectly. We’ll see.
In the meantime, I’ve spent a couple of evenings (with a glass of red in hand) scouring ebay for a few spares to take with me. Nothing major, but I’ll pack plugs, inner tubes... that sort of thing. And I’m assembling a toolkit for the trip. At some stage, I’ll have to get out for a decent run on the bike to work out its fuel range, too. Side-valve engines can be a bit thirsty. I’m doing a Brough club weekend rally in the Peak District on May 5-8 to give it a final shakedown before the Malle Rally.
Now the events calendar is starting to fill up again, we need to get out and support them. I attend a lot of events for the business, but I want to get to a few more just for a bit of fun. I’m going to ride the Matchless to the Goodwood Revival, I’ll probably take a spin over to the Malle Beach Race at Margate and maybe the Brooklands Motorcycle Show on July 2.
If you’re at any of those and spot someone on an old Matchless V-twin with a grin on his face, come and say hello. anthonygodin.co.uk