Matchless G3 (1962)

The Matchless G3 is a British motorcycle that was manufactured in 1962. It has a single cylinder, four-stroke engine with a capacity of 348 cc and a bore x stroke of 74 x 81 mm. The bike is air-cooled and has a compression ratio of 8.5:1. The lubrication system is dry sump, with an oil capacity of 2.8 L. The carburetor is an Amal Monobloc with a diameter of 1-1/8 in. The ignition is coil with a Lucas alternator and the bike starts by kick. The clutch is wet, multi-plate and the transmission is four-speed. The bike has a tubular cradle frame with twin downtubes and telescopic fork front suspension with hydraulic damping. The rear suspension is pivoted and controlled by Girling 3-position spring-and-hydraulic units. The front and rear brakes are both 178 mm / 7 in. drum with finger adjustment. The wheels are made of steel with laced wire spokes. The front and rear tires are sized 3.25 x 19 in. and 3.50 x 19 in., respectively. The bike has a wheelbase of 1436 mm and a ground clearance of 165 mm. The seat height is 775 mm and the wet weight is 179 kg. The bike has a fuel capacity of 19.3 L and an average consumption of 3.3 L per 100 km. The top speed is 129 km/h, and it comes in black or red. A review of the bike was featured in Classic Bike magazine in May 1991.

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Technical specifications:

Make Model: Matchless G3

Year: 1962

Engine: Single cylinder, four stroke, OHV

Capacity: 348 cc / 21.2 cub in.

Bore x Stroke: 74 x 81 mm

Cooling System: Air cooled

Compression Ratio: 8.5:1

Lubrication: Dry sump

Oil Capacity: 2.8 L / 5.9 US pints

Exhaust: Single, chrome silencer

Fuel System: Amal Monobloc carburetor, 1-1/8 in

Ignition: Coil, Lucas alternator

Battery: 6V

Starting: Kick

Clutch: Wet, multi-plate

Transmission: 4-Speed

Final Drive: Chain

Maximum Power: 16.9 kW / 23 hp @ 6200 rpm

Frame: Tubular cradle, twin downtubes

Front Suspension: Telescopic fork with hydraulic damping

Rear Suspension: Pivoted rear fork controlled by Girling 3-position spring-and-hydraulic units

Front Brakes: 178 mm / 7 in. drum, finger adjustment

Rear Brakes: 178 mm / 7 in. drum, finger adjustment

Wheels: Steel, laced wire spokes

Front Tyre: 3.25 x 19 in.

Rear Tyre: 3.50 x 19 in.

Wheelbase: 1436 mm / 56.5 in.

Ground Clearance: 165 mm / 6.5 in.

Seat Height: 775 mm / 30.5 in.

Wet Weight: 179 kg / 395 lbs

Fuel Capacity: 19.3 L / 5.1 US gal

Average Consumption: 3.3 L/100 km / 30 km/l / 71 US mpg

Top Speed: 129 km/h / 80 mph

Colours: Black, Red

Review: Classic Bike, May 1991