New model 8 owner

Information relating to the Matchless G5 or AJS Model 8 350cc Lightweight
Rupert123
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Location: BEDFORSHIRE UK

New model 8 owner

Post by Rupert123 »

Hi everyone,
I have joined the owners club and also bought a 1960 model 8 350,the bike was completely bought on the spur of the moment i wanted a classic british single and liked the look of the model 8, i bought the bike or shall i say a bag of bits an engine ,gearbox and rolling chassis and thought it would be a good project.
As started researching after the horse had bolted i did not think all the parts were going to be that hard to find or for that matter so expensive some people said i ought to think about selling it on cutting my losses and buying something else,
I quite like this machine and want to persevere with it all though it will be a long road ahead ,the bike is missing the clutch,kickstart lever gearchange lever,brake pedal and linkage,the complete rear gearbox mounting plates and adjusters, footrests and mountings and all the bolts that hold the engine to the frame i would like to get the bike on the road i am not worried about it being original at the moment and i can make the the simple bits myself can parts of other models fit has anybody got any templates or pictures of the cycle parts they not shown very well in the manuals i have seen. i find it a little confusing how it all goes together in that sub frame ie the main stand and the footrest mountings.
If anybody can shed some light i would be must grateful ,

Kind regards,
Martin.
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Rob Harknett
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Location: ESSEX UK

Re: New model 8 owner

Post by Rob Harknett »

Welcome to the club.
You are asking a bit too much in one go. You want to get the bike together. OK Lets get started. First get what literature there is to be had. What exactly you have got already? There may be more you can be advised of. Then get to work on the bike, taking things step by step as you progress. When you come to a problem ask about it. Get it resolved then move on. You will get help pictures etc. The model 8 AJS is only badge different from the Matchless G5. So literature and parts for one or the other are all OK.
SPRIDDLER
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Re: New model 8 owner

Post by SPRIDDLER »

Welcome, Rupert.
Yes, as Rob said, eat your elephant in bite-sized chunks and ask on here for specifics as you go. Good time of year to start a rebuild.
I believe spares are a bit tricky for the so-called Lightweight models but assume you are aware of a couple of likely suppliers; Our own club spares department has a limited range, and AMC Classic Spares have some new and old stock. Stuff comes up on eBay quite often too and autojumbles may yield some bits but of course you need to know what the bits look like first in order to find them!
I'm not sure where your local section would be but if not too distant it would be worth meeting up. You don't need to ride there - at this time of year many (most?) of us go along by car anyway.

Good luck with finding the parts.
(At least you've already got the scarf)
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'There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood............'
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clanger9
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Joined: Sat Jun 20, 2015 9:38 am
Location: Chester, UK

Re: New model 8 owner

Post by clanger9 »

Hi Martin - and welcome to the joys of Lightweight ownership!

As you've already discovered, your most common questions will be "Where can I get this part?" and "How does this fit together?". For Lightweights, the answer isn't always obvious (which of course just adds to the fun).

You need a manual and parts list. You can find them here:
http://archives.jampot.dk/book/Workshop_manuals/1957-1964__=M=_Workshop_Instruction_Manual_all_models_SEARCHABLE.pdf
http://archives.jampot.dk/book/Spares_lists/1960_AJS_spares_list_14_14CS_8_LW.pdf

You'll find lots of other great info on that site.

Good luck!
1989 Moto Morini Dart 350
1993 Ducati 750SS
Rupert123
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Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2016 10:10 am
Location: BEDFORSHIRE UK

Re: New model 8 owner

Post by Rupert123 »

Thanks a lot everyone,
Sorry about the delay in replying forgot to bring my login details to work today so i could not reply on the forum on the works pc,thanks you guys for the advice guess your are right break the beast down and work on small areas and do not try to do too much to soon also get the relevant info for the bike, i think i just got concerned when i rang some of these place regarding spares and found a lot of these parts are very hard to get or unavailable.

Thanks for your help,

PS if i new how to post an image the real rupert would be revealed
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clanger9
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Re: New model 8 owner

Post by clanger9 »

Hi Martin,

Here's another one that will be useful for you. It shows a bit more about how the lightweight frame bits go together:
http://archives.jampot.dk/technical/Spe ... _2004..pdf
1989 Moto Morini Dart 350
1993 Ducati 750SS
Rangy65
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Location: LINCOLNSHIRE UK

Re: New model 8 owner

Post by Rangy65 »

Oh what memories this thread evokes! I did much the same as you wanted a britsh bike was told you can't beat an AMC single good solid reliable and plenty of parts. Well thats about right if you have a heavy weight.

As folks have already stated its whats missing and what the part looks like that is a challenge. There are major differances between the 250 & 350 but later 250 CSR's have some compatable parts.

Other sources are Norton lightweights like the navigator as certain components were shared - for instance new kick start levers can be got from NOC. (££).

Clutches can be confusing but you can fit a late 250CSR duplex clutch to a G5.

Also review the G5 & G2 threads there is loads of info from the likes of cbranni, ozmadman, myself rangy65, and the recent guys like clanger as well as the ever present spriddler, Rob Harknett & Janet to name a few.

I have three G5's. one 1959 restored and running and is my enduring ride done about 2K on it no real problems. I also have a part restored 1960 model which i have all the parts for. And 70% of a 61 model which i intend to turn into a scrambler look alike.

Happy to help so if you need to talk through something PM me and i will forward my contact details.

Good luck

Steve
Rupert123
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Re: New model 8 owner

Post by Rupert123 »

Hi Steve,
Thanks very much for the reply , the information and and i would like to take up your offer,
I will contact you tomorrow as i have a few problems at this moment in time.

ATB
Martin.
Rupert123
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Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2016 10:10 am
Location: BEDFORSHIRE UK

Re: New model 8 owner

Post by Rupert123 »

Hi ,
I am looking for bits and pieces ,it was suggested that i go to some auto jumbles there is one coming up at kempton park as i have never been to one of these anybody got any advice,apart from taking a bucket full of gold with me.

ATB
Martin
G15 Roy
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Re: New model 8 owner

Post by G15 Roy »

If you go to Kempton make sure you vist stall 155 where you find a lightweight specialist He may not be that light himself but has lots of knowledge on them.
Roy
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