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Difference between revisions of "Matchless Model X"
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(Created page with "In the last few years before the outbreak of the Second World War, Brough-Superior had switched from JAP power units, to employ instead the 990 cc Matchless vee-twin — side-val...") |
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In the last few years before the outbreak of the Second World War, Brough-Superior had switched from JAP power units, to employ instead the 990 cc Matchless vee-twin — side-valve for the Brough-Superior SS80, overhead-valve for the SS100. Yet the odd thing was that Matchless themselves offered a very pleasant vee-twin tourer, with precisely the same engine as supplied to Brough-Superior and just as well-equipped. It was just that George Brough charged £9O for his SS80, while Matchless, without all the ballyhoo and razzmatazz of Brough salesmanship, listed their Model X at only £69 15s! | [[File:Matchless Model X.jpg|left|thumb|Matchless Model X]] | ||
In the last few years before the outbreak of the Second World War, [[Brough-Superior]] had switched from [[JAP]] power units, to employ instead the 990 cc [[Matchless]] vee-twin — side-valve for the [[Brough-Superior SS80]], overhead-valve for the [[Brough Superior SS100|SS100]]. Yet the odd thing was that Matchless themselves offered a very pleasant vee-twin tourer, with precisely the same engine as supplied to Brough-Superior and just as well-equipped. It was just that George Brough charged £9O for his SS80, while Matchless, without all the ballyhoo and razzmatazz of Brough salesmanship, listed their Model X at only £69 15s! | |||
In fact the Matchless factory had been noted for big vee-twins since before the First World War, originally with engines by MAG or JAP, but by the mid-'thirties the Model X enjoyed a gently bovine engine designed and built on the Flumstead premises. It was 'designed for the big-twin enthusiast and, of course, with a special eye for heavy-duty sidecar work', to which end the 1936 version had been given more robust rear frame members. | In fact the Matchless factory had been noted for big vee-twins since before the First World War, originally with engines by MAG or JAP, but by the mid-'thirties the Model X enjoyed a gently bovine engine designed and built on the Flumstead premises. It was 'designed for the big-twin enthusiast and, of course, with a special eye for heavy-duty sidecar work', to which end the 1936 version had been given more robust rear frame members. | ||
However (as George Brough was aware), there were plenty of enthusiasts around who rather liked the idea of a big 'thousand', ridden solo, so at the end of the 1936 season the Model X was revamped and given the | However (as George Brough was aware), there were plenty of enthusiasts around who rather liked the idea of a big 'thousand', ridden solo, so at the end of the 1936 season the Model X was revamped and given the catalog name of Sports Tourist, with a new shorter-wheelbase frame which put the machine on a par with a 500 cc single, as regards roadholding and steering. | ||
The Motor Cycle road-tested the Model X in May 1937, and commented 'As soon as the machine is on the move the rider forgets that he is astride a heavyweight machine. The Matchless could be ridden feet-up at speeds well below the register of the speedometer without any juggling with the handlebars. At slightly higher speeds the steering was comfortably light, but even when the machine was being cruised at over 60 mph it did not become so light as to necessitate-use of the damper. | The Motor Cycle road-tested the Model X in May 1937, and commented 'As soon as the machine is on the move the rider forgets that he is astride a heavyweight machine. The Matchless could be ridden feet-up at speeds well below the register of the speedometer without any juggling with the handlebars. At slightly higher speeds the steering was comfortably light, but even when the machine was being cruised at over 60 mph it did not become so light as to necessitate-use of the damper. | ||
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Understandably, the Model X did not feature in competition work, for that was not its metier. Instead, it was a highly comforting machine, with a quiet heartbeat and a- gentle loping gait which ate up the miles effortlessly. As the 1937 tester put it, the bike 'comes into that aristocratic class of motorcycles that are riders' mounts'. Hear, hear to that! | Understandably, the Model X did not feature in competition work, for that was not its metier. Instead, it was a highly comforting machine, with a quiet heartbeat and a- gentle loping gait which ate up the miles effortlessly. As the 1937 tester put it, the bike 'comes into that aristocratic class of motorcycles that are riders' mounts'. Hear, hear to that! | ||
{| {{table}} | |||
| Make:||Matchless | |||
|- | |||
| Model:||Model X | |||
|- | |||
| Engine:||990 cc (85,5 x 85,5 mm bore and stroke) side-valve vee-twin | |||
|- | |||
| Tyres:||3.25 x 19 in front, 4.00 x 19 in rear, wired edge | |||
|- | |||
| Frame:||Brazed-lug duplex tubular cradle, unsprung at rear | |||
|- | |||
| Front forks:||Central spring girders | |||
|- | |||
| Brakes:||Drums, 8 in diameter front and rear | |||
|- | |||
| Weight:||435 lb | |||
|- | |||
| Wheelbase:||57 in | |||
|- | |||
| Manufacturer:||Matchless Motor Cycles (Colliers) Ltd, 44/45 Plumstead Road, London SE 18 | |||
|} | |||
[[Category:Matchless motorcycles]] | [[Category:Matchless motorcycles]] | ||