BUYING AND SELLING
The G80 might just represent Plumstead’s finest hour – and this one looks singularly impressive
Interesting bikes to buy and comment from Ace Classics
Big four-stroke singles are a cornerstone of the classic world. There’s something reassuring and timeless about the sound of a single – whether it’s the slow and steady thud of an old-school longstroke engine, or the staccato blat of a hard-working short-stroke at speed. But, if it’s traditional values you’re after, it doesn’t come much more trad than a Matchless G80. The G80 was born out of its wartime cousin, the 350cc G3L. Thousands of G3LS were churned out during the war and proved to be both rugged and reliable. When plans started to be aired for postwar civilian production, it made
sense for AMC – the parent company of both Matchless and AJS – to base a new model on the successful military bike. The 500cc G80 is the larger-capacity Matchless version of two basically similar models, joined by the 350cc G3 when civilian production resumed in late 1945 for the 1946 model year.
Initially the 350 and 500cc models had different crankcases, but from 1948 the bottom ends of both engines were identical, with an 82.5mm bore giving the extra capacity for the 500. The basic recipe for the engine was the same for both models: vertically-split crankcases, twin ball-race timingside mains and a bush on the drive side (with a roller bearing too, for the first year of production), a caged roller big-end and plain bush smallend – simple, sturdy and effective.
Development of all the singles was more a case of evolution than revolution. A new oil pump doubled circulation in 1947, a revised cylinder head appeared in ’48 and a beefed-up bottom end arrived in ’49, when a swingarm frame was offered alongside the rigid original. From then till production of road versions of the heavyweight singles ceased in 1966, there was steady development with improved frames (’56 and ’60) changes to brakes and gearbox (’52) and the adoption of alternator electrics and coil ignition in ’58.
All are pretty good, spares supply is impressive and the owners’ club (jampot.com) is one of the best in the country. This 1948 rigid has to be about the best-looking model, though. It’s on offer at DR Classics in Staffordshire for £5750. Believed to have had just two owners from new – the second of which recommissioned the bike after it had been unused for some time – it’s a delightfully original machine. DR Classics’ Richard Gaunt says the engine is “as quiet as a mouse” and adds that the electrics are all in good order, as are the gearbox and clutch. A case of substance meets style. Enquiries: 01283 536379, classicmotorcycles.net