AJS & Matchless Owners Club

Hi All,

Please bear with me, I'm a Newbie

So, story is this: my Dad owned a Matchless 500 in the day, registration as above. I'd like to try & find it. All I know is that he bought it from a dealer in the East End (not quite sure which, I'll ask) &, er, that's about it.

I have no idea where to even start my search; tips, anyone?

Thanks in advance,
Hedge

Welcome, Andrew.

Hedge wrote:Hi All,
I have no idea where to even start my search; tips, anyone?

Start by following the instructions immediately above your post, entitled: 'Check the Government files...........'

EKO 158 another Kent reg. no. looks like circa 1937/38 to me. There appears to be no registration or factory records that have survived for this era. It would be lucky if this bike survived, even more so with its original reg. no. Have you checked having been directed where to look? Any pictures would be interesting to see, please send to prewar@jampot.com if unable to post here. Rob Harknett, club prewar officer.

Ok, well nothing is coming up on the DVLA website, so I'll need to get as many details from my Dad as possible, to try & track it down.

Thanks,
Hedge

Knowing year and model may help, if 37/38 there will not be many surviving Matchless 500's. But those may have age related reg. no's so other details would be needed like frame / engine number. Chances of it still laying in a shed with EKO number are very slim.

Hi Rob Was EKO not also used in Kent 1959.

G15 Roy wrote:Hi Rob Was EKO not also used in Kent 1959.

My Dad was born in 1932. I think he & my Ma were "courting" around their 30's, so he'd have had the bike around early the 1960's..

I really need to nail down some more specifics with him about the bike. Trouble is, his memory; it has good & bad days..

Cheers,
Hedge

Hi Hedge

It would be useful if you had any old photos of the bike. There are a bunch of people on here who will identify the model for you - and they love old photos.

Cheers. Bruce.

G15 Roy wrote:Hi Rob Was EKO not also used in Kent 1959.

I was indeed Roy, but reversed. Only in Jan. 1959 (e.g.123 EKO ) EKO from Nov 1937 so bike with EKO 158 could have been an early 1938 model. 1938 started with EKO 741. Series ended in Jan 1938. ( information from period guide books )

Hi Hedge

If there are no photos it might be an idea to ask your Dad how old the bike was when he bought it - there's a 21 year gap between the two possible registrations so even if his memory is not what it was, (who's is?), he could probably guide you in the right direction. An answer to 'did the bike have rear suspension' would confirm 38 or 59.

Regards Mick