Harris G80

Information relating to the Matchless G80 or AJS Model 18 500cc Heavyweight.
Locked
Charles.
Deceased
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: CORNWALL UK

Harris G80

Post by Charles. »

Seen some correspondence on these, thought I should add what I could. I bought mine in 1987 from Roebuck Motorcycles, it was one of the first to be built (I'd intended to buy a Bonnie but the quality was going downhill fast). It's my P&J, definitely my favourite bike and won't be sold. It shares the garage with a Triumph 955i (stonking bike!) and a '61 Model 31CSR (in bits), past bikes include various Kawasakis, BSAs, a '59 T100, etc. etc. so it's not blind loyalty. Problems have been the usual stuff, rear wheel kept breaking spokes, the record was five during a National Rally (didn't stop me getting the Special Gold though). Had it rebuilt by Alec Jay in Woking with HD spokes and no problems since. The first speedo went at around 20K miles, replacement from Harris Matchless, this is up to 17K miles so getting worried again. The airbox was broken by the mechanic at Roebucks during the first service, since then it's had a K&N, no noticeable degradation (or improvement) with the "stalling at traffic lights" habit. I just had to get used to kick-starting it quickly and ignore the occasional irate car driver. Thanks are due to Clive Turner for teaching me how to kick-start it properly, all those years ago. Carb setting has been as per The Motorcycle Doctor, a 1960s paperback I found in a Hay-on-Wye bookshop. Rear wheel speedo boxes will seize unless they're greased and sealed properly, now a regular maint item. Replace if needed with late Bonnie, I think (I always just take the old item round the useful dealers). Front brake light switch is fragile, Italian, replacements from Guzzi dealer I think. Not had one fail for a few years now. Currently waiting for a new coil, I use Andover Norton (part of BSA Regal grp) for Rotax spares, which includes Coil and Amplifier/Regulator. I recommend them most highly. They just sent me information so that I could try to avoid spending money with them, they're that good. I used to commute into Central London everyday, so changed the engine sprocket for lower gearing, good mod. Can't think of anything else. I'll end on a question: The forks need work now, does anyone have any experience of stripping/refurbishing?
Charles.
Deceased
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: CORNWALL UK

Harris G80

Post by Charles. »

My bike was also purchased from Roebuck Motorcycles on the release date, although not by me. The previous owner went through the "breaking spoke" syndrome and used and abused the bike over the years until I acquired it. Now at just over 19000 miles, virtually everything needs either repair, replacement or repainting.
Over the past few months I have battled with corroded fasteners and sought out the sources of alternative parts and "Harris G80 experts". I now have quite a collection, that includes part numbers, which hopefully can be added to the Harris technical tips fairly soon.
As for the forks, Roy Candler has the details of replacement of the o-rings in the anti-dive mechanism. Unfortunately I've not stripped and refurbished mine yet but I suspect it is only a matter of time until it needs doing. As far as I know the Paiolis fitted to the 31/2 Morinis, Ducati 600TL Pantah and the Harris T140E are similar but without the anti-dive. Diagrams are available on the net. Seals are available from Hawkshaw (part no. 000005 £3-76) but these are for the Bonneville.
Charles.
Deceased
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: CORNWALL UK

Harris G80

Post by Charles. »

Is there any chance that you could share further details of the K&N mod?

What did you take the sprocket down to and exactly how did it effect performance?

Has anyone done more than 37K on their Harris G80?
Charles.
Deceased
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: CORNWALL UK

Harris G80

Post by Charles. »

'Fraid I can't help with the forks, as apart from draining/refilling, and the anti-dive units, I know nothing about 'em. However, someone who specialises in Italian bikes of the 70's had this to say on the subject:
"A lot of Italian shock absorbers can look rather complicated from the exterior (a marketing ploy?) but essentially they are simple devices, simply made". Encouraging words . . .

Re: your other question (ignition switch) - if you mail me at roycandler@clara.co.uk I will put you in touch with Mike Scutt.

Good to know that there are folk who enjoy their Harrises. I had a load of trouble with the Dellorto carb, finally fitting a Mikuni which seems to have cured most (but not all) the s-s-s-stutter at constant (moderate) throttle openings. I still get the odd cut-out at the lights, but now it re-starts with one or two kicks instead of five minutes of sweating and swearing. An electric start would be a Good Thing in such circumstances.

You mention "BSA Regal". Is there any connection with a firm of the same name selling imitation British machinery built around the Yamaha SR 400 single engine? I have a Year 2000 "bikes of the world" catalogue from Japan which shows three models from BSA Regal - the "Gold SR" (guess what it looks like!), the "Clubman SR" ("experience British craftsmanship" says the blurb) and - to show that this is not entirely off-topic, the BSA Regal G40SR, billed as "AJS style" and more expensive, although the engine has "BSA" on it and there are the famous three rifles on the side.

Thanks for the tips. Doesn't the Triumph speedo gearbox need a bit of reaming to fit? I'll be needing one soon.

Roy



Charles.
Deceased
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: CORNWALL UK

Harris G80

Post by Charles. »

I've just had a reply back from Paioli Meccanica to my request for information on the forks, anti-dive units and availability of spares. All they say is that they are old forks and are no longer available.
T8 in Felixstowe also suggested that bushes and seals for Paioli forks are becoming scarce but before that creates a rush to purchase those that are available, I suspect that once the numbers and/or dimensions are known, both bushes and seals will be available from specialist bearing dealers.
Mark you didn't actually specify the problem with the forks.
Do the forks leak oil? If so, the oil seals will need replacing (part no. 000005 are the same as the Harris Bonneville ones).
Are the forks worn, i.e. do the legs move excessively either backwards and forwards or from side to side? If so the bushes are worn and need replacing.
If the fork damping just feels tired? How long ago was the fork oil replaced? The handbook recommends every 8000 miles. If they need doing, drain, flush out with kerosene and replace with 180cc of proper fork oil 10W (rather than ATF fluid). The oil acts as a secondary spring to prevent bottoming as well as a damping fluid. A further 10-20 cc shouldn't hurt but you may find that the oil seals go if they are already old.
Check also that the O rings at the top of the forks are still good and haven't gone hard, replace if necessary. Sorry I can't help with bush replacement (not yet anyway).
Locked