Intro and what have I got

Information relating to the Matchless G3 or AJS Model 16 350cc Heavyweight
George Kaplan
Posts: 160
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:24 pm
Location: York

Re: Intro and what have I got

Post by George Kaplan »

Well the spares department got back to me and as I suspected everything is out of stock with no date for re-stocking with the exception of the springs. I need the brake cam, pivot pin, brake shoes, brake lever and the torque arm/cable anchor. A quick look on ebay found the following items but I am aware that there are some differences between years so I was wondering of anyone can confirm which of the following is suitable for a 1958 full width hub?

Brake Lever, 2 items listed on ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AJS-Matchles ... SwR6RaMEJf

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AJS-G3-G80-M ... SwTQtaJWBw


Brake Cam AKA Expander. 3 items listed on ebay all seem to be different lengths. I would guess that I need the longest one?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AJS-Matchles ... SwK~RaMD6t

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AJS-Matchles ... SwvfZaMD0K

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AJS-MATCHLES ... SwACZZtUNl


Torque arm/cable bracket. Again, there seems to be some variance between them?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AJS-G3-G80-M ... SwLsBZVTbn

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AJS-MATCHLES ... SwV0RZjfZd

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AJS-OR-MATCH ... SwRoZZfx7f


Pivot Pin. I can only find this one but I would guess it should be longer for the full width hub?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ajs-or-match ... Sw0GJZmnng


Shoes. These seem to be the right ones but what do folks on here think?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-AJS- ... SwpvZaKXha.



Re the pivot pin, can anyone provide dimensions of the correct type so that I can make one?

Also, does anyone on here have any of the items availabe to purchase before I bid on ebay?


Thanks

John
SPRIDDLER
Member
Posts: 8541
Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:00 am
Location: WEST SUSSEX UK

Re: Intro and what have I got

Post by SPRIDDLER »

I don't have the time to browse your eBay links but have you sent your spares list to AMC Classic Spares, Andrew Engineering, and Russell Motors (fax or phone only, no email)?
'There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood............'
George Kaplan
Posts: 160
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:24 pm
Location: York

Re: Intro and what have I got

Post by George Kaplan »

Hi SPRIDDLER, I sent my list to AMOC via the email address Spares@jampot.com. I assume from your reply that Andrew Engineering and Russell Motors are alternatives to the AMC spares scheme?

I will contact them.

Thanks,

John
SPRIDDLER
Member
Posts: 8541
Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:00 am
Location: WEST SUSSEX UK

Re: Intro and what have I got

Post by SPRIDDLER »

AMC Classic Spares, Andrew Engineering, and Russell Motors are three separate companies, each of which is a separate business and in addition to this Club's spares business.
'There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood............'
G15 Roy
Member
Posts: 3546
Joined: Sun Jan 01, 1995 12:00 am
Location: ESSEX UK

Re: Intro and what have I got

Post by G15 Roy »

Seems like you need to pay a visit to a good jumble like Kempton. The dates are always in the Jampot Magazine.
Roy
Mick D
Posts: 2886
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 5:44 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire

Re: Intro and what have I got

Post by Mick D »

Hi

Can't recommend speaking to Steve Surbey at AMC Classic Spares highly enough - extremely knowledgeable and very helpful - he sourced several, 'scarcer', components for me, (auto jumbles etc. not being an option from where I live).

I've never used Andrew Engineering or Russell Motors so can't comment from first hand experience, however, based on forum recommendations I wouldn't hesitate to contact them either.

I detest E Bay

Regards Mick
George Kaplan
Posts: 160
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:24 pm
Location: York

Re: Intro and what have I got

Post by George Kaplan »

I was too busy at work this afternoon to contact any of the three aforementioned suppliers but I will do first thing on Monday morning.

I do go to autojumbles and agree it is the ideal place to get stuff like this. However, when sifting through Tesco home delivery crates full of rusty junk, the thing that you need to know is exactly what the item you are looking for looks like and in particular the subtle differences between a 1958 brake part and, say, a 1953 brake part. I know that some parts have the part number on them but not all of them do.

As far as ebay goes I find it to be just another source of stuff. In the past I have been able to procure some very rare parts on ebay and not always for big money so i don't have a huge problem with it like some people do.

Thanks again,

John
George Kaplan
Posts: 160
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:24 pm
Location: York

Re: Intro and what have I got

Post by George Kaplan »

Hello, I think I have my brake stuff in hand. My other three questions were about the engine, primary drive and carb.

Q1. Are there any external features on an engine that distinguish particular years other than the engine number? I am aware that the WD/early post war models have a different crank case but I am not aware of anything else.

Q2. Given that I need to get a complete primary drive, are there any recommendations as to the best one or ones to avoid? Logic would say that a later clutch should be better that an earlier clutch or were they all the same? Also I need an enclosure. Steel or alloy?

Q3. I see that there are a few threads about fitting Mikunis. Has anyone fitted one to a 350 bottom/500 top motor? Are there any recommendations?

Thanks,

John
User avatar
dave16mct
Member
Posts: 3234
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 1990 12:00 am
Location: LANCASHIRE UK

Re: Intro and what have I got

Post by dave16mct »

I think you need to get hold of Roy Bacon's book and study all the changes from mag/dynamo to alternator/coil models. It is all in Christian's archives as well. Basically it's a 58 single, so you need an alloy alternator single chaincase. All AMC clutches are good but the later ones don't have loose inserts in the back. I've never fitted a Mikuni carb, it's an added complication for you so why not fit a monobloc with all the info available to get it right first time. You can fit the 500 top end but you will have to rebalance the crank or you will get vibration. There are far too many details to answer here, it would take all week, but everything has been asked before so do searches and you will piece it together. It would also be a good idea to join your local section.
Cheers Dave.
George Kaplan
Posts: 160
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:24 pm
Location: York

Re: Intro and what have I got

Post by George Kaplan »

Thanks Dave. I have a couple of Roy Bacons books on other marques so I will order one.

The motor that I have has already been built with a 500 top and came out of a running bike. I have been told that it is a good engine. I guess that I will find out when I start it up because I have been told this sort of stuff before and sometimes its true and sometimes its false.

If it does need re-balancing then I will re-balance it. I did swear that I would build a set a knife edges the last time I farmed out a static balance job earlier this year so it would be a good excuse to build a set if this motor knocks my fillings out.

Thanks again,

John
Locked