Devon TRF Group Forum

Kwaka Geoff · Clubman A

For those who like it old skool

gaschef · Devon's Best

Pity to get it muddy, Methinks its a 500 single Matchless ,but it might be larger

Certainly its in a Rickman frame, Metisse from what I remember was the brand name of a range of frames that rickman built for everything from off roading to road racing.

This was the time when there were a lot of privateers in racing, right up to international level who did not have works rides, and built or had built there own bikes, frame from here, engine from there, and gearbox from somebody else

The frames were not engine/ transmission specific, you bought the frame and a set of engine plates to fit what you had to the frame, or made your own to suit

And its a SCRAMBLER the term motoX didnt exist when this was born

What ever it must sound nice 500 thumper with a straght through exhaust, you wouldnt want to be behind that for long in a narrow lane

Plus its single leading shoe front brake, but it stopped these, so on a modern bike light weight bike it would throw you over the bars

It is also magneto ignition, provided the engine was turning over you had a spark, well most of the time. No battery, coil, or wiring, just a set of points you set with a bit of fag packet

-- Edited by gaschef on Tuesday 25th of May 2010 11:00:21 PM

-- Edited by gaschef on Wednesday 26th of May 2010 04:34:56 AM

Kwaka Geoff · Clubman A

Matchless, yes, that rings a bell in so much as the 'M' Logo with the wings on the casing is the same as was on the 'Matchless' motorcycle that the guy in the paddock opposite my mate was racing in the vintage class at the Cadwell BSB meet. The Matchless this guy was racing was circa 30's (if I recall correctly) from the Manx TT era and was worth about £30K!!!! Crazy racing something worth that much ............... althought a fully specced BSB bike is £100k+ That said, with a BSB bike it 'aint yer average Joe public that's forking out if it gets slung down the road, as my mate did last w/end on his BEEMSE MiniTwin (Suzuki SV650) - Broken collar bone, battered and bruised body (and pride!), bike in bits, leathers cut off him, lid scrap, £600 odd for the w/end (van hire, entry, tyres etc...) and his seasons over four rounds in disbelief

Ouch! Told him he should take up trail riding, cheaper and more fun biggrin

Lost · Expert

it twas some years ago i road a triumph 500 richman matis , lasting memory nil i mean no suspension you stood up and stayed up the controls wear a tad heavy and big chrome levers and small hands mmmm it went well but stopping was a diff game with drum brakes ,hats off to those people who could race them :

TTR · Powermonger!!

I am sure John Heal has something similar and he has taken it to some of our events. The exhaust note is to die for smile

L'orange · Devon's Best

Best place to catch Johns matise is at whiteway barton at our events.

Got some pics somewhere, might dig em out later

Torr · Expert

Got one in the shed!

mine is a 350 short stroke made in 1966 marketed as a Norton model 50 Mk11 CS and exported to Berliners on West Coast of USA, last of 12 350 singles manufactured by AMC

The single engine continued in production as 500cc version untill 1970, if you had a G85CS in factory trim you could sell it and buy 10 new 450 KTMs.... not that you would want to!

The Matchless AMC 350 /500 single power unit was the engine of choice of the aftermarket specialist frame builder, Mettise, Cheney et al.

extensively use in scramblers could be modified to 604cc by using the 350 stroke conrod and flywheels... which is my 350 engine is so rare!

The bottom end is identical to the 50s AJS 350 7R boy racer ( I had a 54 model)

But that is what British motorcycle manufactures did...... each new model probably was using tooling from previous models... even other manufacturers they had bought out!

Later 350/500 Matchless singles used the Norton oil pump..... and Norton gearbox!!!!

AND THEY RAN ON CASTROL "R"..............................

gaschef · Devon's Best

Torr wrote:

AND THEY RAN ON CASTROL "R"..............................

Thats what they also cooked the chips it at the Salt Box and Johnsons

Torr · Expert

gaschef wrote:

Torr wrote:

AND THEY RAN ON CASTROL "R"..............................

Thats what they also cooked the chips it at the Salt Box and Johnsons

At The Nightingale they ate them raw!!!

brownie · Expert

i am sure that this is bike porn to grouty..............

probably why he hasn't posted on this thread yet wink

he will soon thou no doubt smile

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

Unusual way off mounting foot pegs, i dont think the owner liked the idea of welding new foot peg brackets to his shiney chromed frame.

Torr · Expert

doug9270 wrote:

Unusual way off mounting foot pegs, i dont think the owner liked the idea of welding new foot peg brackets to his shiney chromed frame.

More "Matisse" than "Metisse" ??

L'orange · Devon's Best

John Heal's Mat..thingy

-- Edited by TTR on Thursday 27th of May 2010 08:44:54 AM

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

This was my old Royal Enfield 'Big Head Bullett engined Rickman.' Did a few classics scrambles with it but just liked the modern suspension better so it had to go.

P1000863.jpg?t=1274956264

-- Edited by doug9270 on Thursday 27th of May 2010 10:35:20 AM