WTB - British Single (AJS Matchless Ariel)

Does anyone know where I can buy a nice, genuine example of a 50s or 60s
4-stroke single in trials/trail/competition trim?

Ideally I'm looking for a 500cc single, such as an AJS/Matchless G80/G85, or
an Ariel HT5.

Has anyone got one of these bikes for sale?

TIA

 

There is a '58 Enfield Bullet 350 on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=57186&item=4556092418&rd=1

Little beauty but £1600 reserve not met

 

Thanks for that.

I have also found a nice 1962 Matchless G3C 350cc. I don't know much about
them. Are they a good bike and worth owning?

 

They are well rated in classic trials, but for looks, I prefer the
Enfield.

 

Each to his own I suppose. My pre AMC matchless has the Magneto and dynamo
behind the cylinder with the classic 'datebox' magneto chaincase running
rearwards from the crankcase. I always thought that looked nicer than the
AJS and post AMC Matchless setup, though more awkward for maintainance in
some ways.

Does the G3C have an alloy barrel?

 

tallbloke asked:

Yes, it is an all-alloy 350cc engine and it runs well.

The whole bike has been restored to a reasonable standard, although I don't
think the tank paintwork is entirely correct for the year (1962). The forks
are also shot (bottomed out with no dampening) and the speedo doesn't work
(it's road-legal).

The bike seems quite expensive at 3,450UKP.

 

Well it's elegible for pre '65 trials. The speedo can be service exchanged
for 70ukp, and teledraulic forks are basically good kit and should be
rebuildable without too much expense.

That's the rarity of all alloy engines for you, but at that money, you
could buy one from a member of the Matchless/Ajs owners club with better
provenance and a better warranty I reckon.

Personally, I'd go for a 500 iron barrel (alloy would be nice but the
price is high for real world road use, the extra grunt comes in handy in
modern traffic and up hills, though the top speed isn't much different.