Matchless

If you read my post about the old 50's movie "The Wild One", you might remember reading about the bikes used by Marlon Brando during the shoot. One was a Matchless twin, which was owned by the stunt rider Wally Albright and had the M (for Matchless) turned upside down for a W (for Wally).
Matchless was one of the oldest names in motorcycle manufacturing, starting out in Britain way back in 1899! They produced an assortment of bikes, mostly singles but also some four stroke twins
ranging from 496 c.c.to 998 c.c. They won the first Isle Of Man TT in 1907 on a single cylinder. Also, many Matchless engines were used in the Morgan Cycle Cars, such as the Super Sport.
Eventually they amalgamated with another manufacturer and became part of Associated Motorcycles, still producing under their own name. However, they later became part of Norton and eventually lost their stamp in 1966. There was a brief resurgence in 1987 but due to lower priced competition from the Japanese bikes, they once again disappeared in the early 90's.
Now, here we are in late 2014 and looking at the 'new' 2015 line up of the Matchless 'Model X Reloaded'.

The original Model X hit the market way back in 1929, and the reborn brand will celebrate the 115th anniversary of the Matchless name... not that it's actually been actively building and selling products all that time, of course.

There are few specifics other than the fact that the Model X Reloaded will be powered by an X-Wedge V-twin engine displacing 1,916cc,  a frame that doubles as an oil reservoir, and a front braking system with a 12-piston brake caliper. The bike was designed with an under-slung rear shock, some sort of springer front fork and dual sets of foot controls.

Two versions of the Model X

Does it have an Italian styling flair?

OIF is one feature

Morgan Cycle Car with a Matchless engine

1934 Matchless D80 'Sports' 500

1960 Matchless G3C Trials 500

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