Author Topic: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless  (Read 1485 times)

Offline chuck peterson

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"I'd like to thank all my friends who have kept my Guzzi's going, but mostly...TOMB."
150k on Verts
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Offline cliffrod

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2021, 07:55:14 AM »
That's pretty cool....
1973 V7 Sport  "Now THAT'S a motorcycle!"-  Master Sculptor Giuliano Cecchinelli
1967 V700 Corsa Record
1981 Lemans CX100
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExX3YmQel_Q
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Offline sdcr

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2021, 08:39:57 AM »
Very well cared for, might be the only one with original paint, not in a museum.

I’m sure this is a “relationship” motorbike, but I think his price is relatively reasonable.
John
2000 BMW R1100 RS
1983 BMW R100
2009 Jaguar XK

Offline JJ

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2021, 08:48:38 AM »
Beautiful example...Back in the day when they made REAL metal fenders!! :thumb: :bow: :boozing: :cool:
Life Member: MGNOC L-772, AMA, HOG,
Village of Oak Creek, Arizona
Current bike: 2025 Moto Morini Calibro 700
Previous Guzzi's owned:
* '78 850 Le Mans
* '02 V11 Le Mans
* '93 SP1000-III
* '83 850 Le Mans III
* '98 V10 Centauro GT

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2021, 09:16:02 AM »
 Very nice not common machine...Original means ride it regular and oil leaks will soon appear..And If the Atlas has a crank sludge trap it may be coked up and the left side connecting rod may make an unscheduled appearance...

Offline JJ

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2021, 09:25:09 AM »
Very nice not common machine...Original means ride it regular and oil leaks will soon appear..And If the Atlas has a crank sludge trap it may be coked up and the left side connecting rod may make an unscheduled appearance...

Like these two classics...the little quirks and idiosyncrasies of these vintage bikes are all part of the charm... :wink: :thumb: :bow: :cool: :boozing:



Life Member: MGNOC L-772, AMA, HOG,
Village of Oak Creek, Arizona
Current bike: 2025 Moto Morini Calibro 700
Previous Guzzi's owned:
* '78 850 Le Mans
* '02 V11 Le Mans
* '93 SP1000-III
* '83 850 Le Mans III
* '98 V10 Centauro GT

Offline Stretch

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2021, 11:33:24 AM »
Oh, dear.

I have the cash in the safe, and could be there and back in time for dinner.

MUST. BE. STRONG.

Nice bike!  :cool:

                                               -Stretch
1967? Change Jiang M1M
1978 Yamaha SR500
1971 BMW R75/5
1987 BMW K75S
2011 Kawasaki KLR650
2011 Triumph Rocket III Touring
2015 Triumph Trophy
2017 Moto Guzzi 1400 California Touring

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2021, 11:33:47 AM »
 Stripping the engine on the vintage bike you paid way too much for is a bit more than a quirk  :grin: :grin:
  But I suppose the bike will never be ridden often and not in anger so it's a non issue...I run the balls off my old Brits so they are rebuilt as required to take the abuse....I pull into the garage after an hour of flogging down the two lane blacktop, The ticking and smell of a hard run engine...all is good...

Offline Roebling3

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2021, 03:08:05 PM »
Very, very briefly there was a Matchless dealer in West Boylston, on Rt. 140. I literally went home to get cash and close the deal on Tuesday. The shop was gone, when I showed up on Tuesday.

When I finally found a really nice Norton, several years later my son said - knowingly - btw; Together we don't have enough time to keep that thing on the road!  I love that kid for what he has learned all by himself.
  R3~

Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2021, 03:36:25 PM »
My friend Joseph restored this Matchless G11CS by himself (with a little help from me). This was just before he started it for the first time. Likely the only Matchless with a Dellorto VHB 27 on it.  :azn:



Charlie

Offline Scout63

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #10 on: August 06, 2021, 07:12:13 PM »
I had a ‘63 Matchless 500 single.  They are simply gorgeous but parts are hard to source. I don’t think they will ever have any significant value so you’d better want it to ride.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Canuck750

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #11 on: August 06, 2021, 08:54:22 PM »
A friend has one, he displayed it in our local vintage club mall show this winter, its pretty but he tells me the Matchless is not a very exciting bike in his opinion, he owns quite a few classic British bikes from the late 60's~ early 70's


48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

Offline Travlr

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #12 on: August 06, 2021, 09:11:54 PM »
I don't ride bikes I have to kick start anymore.  I don't care how lovely they are.

M
1984 LeMans 3 Cafe Racer
1977 BMW R100S

Offline PeteS

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #13 on: August 07, 2021, 09:23:55 AM »
Very nice not common machine...Original means ride it regular and oil leaks will soon appear..And If the Atlas has a crank sludge trap it may be coked up and the left side connecting rod may make an unscheduled appearance...

My ‘71 Norton, that came with no oil filter,  had slotted pistons which broke at 21k miles. I pulled the top end, picked out the big bits from the crankcase, bored the cylinders .020 over and put 10:1 pistons in it. Sanded off the big nicks in the rods and rode it for another 21k miles. Finally decided to do a complete tear down and put superblend bearings in it. One crank journal was still in spec and the other about .002 undersize.
Not exactly delicate machines.

Pete
« Last Edit: August 08, 2021, 11:29:10 AM by PeteS »

Offline Muzz

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #14 on: August 07, 2021, 08:48:04 PM »
My friend Joseph restored this Matchless G11CS by himself (with a little help from me). This was just before he started it for the first time. Likely the only Matchless with a Dellorto VHB 27 on it.  :azn:





And a very rare beast indeed.  I believe only made for one year (1958?), 600cc and bore and stroke pretty close to square.  A little revver.  I guess they used the bore of the upcoming 650 and the stroke of the 500.
Muzz. Cristchurch, New Zealand
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Offline ossaman55

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #15 on: August 08, 2021, 11:25:57 AM »
 Here's my unrestored 1960 g12cs. I find the fit and finish on the amc bikes to be better than triumph/norton/bsa of the era.


Offline Muzz

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Re: Oh my..1966 G15 Matchless
« Reply #16 on: August 08, 2021, 08:33:58 PM »
My 1948 G3L ended up much the same as you have there, with a frame from a '63 G12, saddle tanks same as yours, CSR forks but with a tank from a G45.  Gearbox a 1947 Burman.





Front brake courtesy of a Suzuki Titan
« Last Edit: August 08, 2021, 08:34:53 PM by Muzz »
Muzz. Cristchurch, New Zealand
03 Breva

Life is just a bowl of Allbran
Ya wake up in the morning and it's there


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