MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Information relating to the Matchless G3 or AJS Model 16 350cc Heavyweight
rudelan_LAPSED
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MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Post by rudelan_LAPSED »

Hello,
I am back after a long absence. (Thanks to the Webmaster :-)).
In 2007, I had a 1951 Matchless G3LS that I sold in 2009 to buy a car. With great sorrow of course! Today, my retirement is approaching and I did the reverse (:-)) and I will receive at the beginning of March a G3LS of 1955! I paid £ 10 last week to get some history through the frame number, but nothing learned I already knew it was a 1955 GLS (A312..). But I do not know if the gearbox is the right one (Matching numbers)
Over time, I will tell you about its restart and restoration.
Last edited by rudelan_LAPSED on Tue Sep 04, 2018 5:15 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Trefor
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Re: MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Post by Trefor »

The numbers; engine, frame, gearbox, don't match. This quote is from an old Classic Bike article. 'Each GB box is stamped with a code on the top cover. This commences with GB and ends with the letter (A to M, without [? this bit of the photocopy is missing] ) which is the month, and two figures which tell you the year of manufacture'. They give the example- '1955 350 AJS with a gearbox stamped GB23 F 55, ... made in June '55' .
Hope this helps.
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robcurrie
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Re: MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Post by robcurrie »

Trevor, it is most probably 'I' that is missing, it is standard (old school) engineering practice to go from H to J to avoid confusion on drawings.

Rob C
rudelan_LAPSED
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Re: MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Post by rudelan_LAPSED »

Hello, many thanks! I go see the numbers ;)

Engine : 55/G3LS28xxx
Gearbox: GB 26A54 of GB 28A58 diffcult to see

https://i58.servimg.com/u/f58/18/99/14/65/web0111.jpg
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rudelan_LAPSED
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Re: MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Post by rudelan_LAPSED »

The restoration continues, here is a picture but some parts are still not found. But I like him.

Image
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rudelan_LAPSED
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Re: MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Post by rudelan_LAPSED »

I own a G3LS 1955, I saw a magazine talking about this bike. Has anyone read or own this magazine?
MOTOR CYCLE 19th May 1955 (n ° 2719)
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SPRIDDLER
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Re: MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Post by SPRIDDLER »

rudelan wrote:I own a G3LS 1955, I saw a magazine talking about this bike. Has anyone read or own this magazine?
MOTOR CYCLE 19th May 1955 (n ° 2719)
You can find an article from The Motorcycle of Sept '54 highlighting the changes for the 1955 model year here:

http://archives.jampot.dk/editorial/Roa ... _for_1955_(The_Motor_Cycle_Sep_1954.pdf
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rudelan_LAPSED
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Re: MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Post by rudelan_LAPSED »

SPRIDDLER wrote:
rudelan wrote:I own a G3LS 1955, I saw a magazine talking about this bike. Has anyone read or own this magazine?
MOTOR CYCLE 19th May 1955 (n ° 2719)
You can find an article from The Motorcycle of Sept '54 highlighting the changes for the 1955 model year here:

http://archives.jampot.dk/editorial/Roa ... _for_1955_(The_Motor_Cycle_Sep_1954.pdf
Thanks!!! :-)
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rudelan_LAPSED
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Re: MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Post by rudelan_LAPSED »

1955 G3LS Project Shutdown
Hello,
This post to announce the stop of my project G3LS 1955 ...
1955 is a year for which the parts are different from the others and hard to find. This week, I dismantle the existing and I put the parts in boxes.
Maybe in a few years? I hope.
I tried to buy some parts on E..Y in India or Australia, but the Belgian customs blocked my purchases (Long live the Europe of the industrialists but not that of the private persons). Some parts can be found in UK but shipping costs often exceed the price of parts if they are large. My budget is limited, it is no longer possible for me. I was wrong, you have to buy a complete and rolling motorcycle. It's more expensive but realistic!
Thanks to those who helped me with answers to my questions and especially to this one who offered me the book that I tried so much to buy me.
I will continue to read you and be member :-) . Sorry for my english
Please do not reply to this post.
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Rob Harknett
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Re: MATCHLESS G3LS 1955

Post by Rob Harknett »

Sorry but I would like to reply.
It is a shame you have to end your project. Although there were quite a few changes for 1955, many parts are the same other years and models. Some wrong parts for the year will also fit. I does depend how correct you want the bike to be. Because some parts are interchangeable, you do need to be careful when buying a complete bike. There are many bikes made of various years /models which are good to ride. You can still be happy with the bike. But if you want a bike that is all correct, think first and discover if it is correct. If you discover it is wrong after you buy, you will not be happy with the bike.
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