Matchless G3L (1956-58)

The Matchless G3L motorcycle was produced from 1956 to 1958 and had a four-stroke, single cylinder engine with a capacity of 347cc. The bike had a maximum power of 16 hp at 5600 rpm and a top speed of 75 mph. The G3L had a telescopic fork front suspension and a swingarm rear suspension with drum brakes on both wheels. The bike had a wet, multi-plate clutch and a four-speed transmission. The fuel system used an Amal 76 carburetor, and the electrical system used magneto ignition with a 6V battery. The bike had a single down tube frame and a chain final drive. The front and rear tires were 3.25 x 19″ Dunlop K70 and 3.50 x 19″ Dunlop K70, respectively. The G3L had a wheelbase of 1436mm and a seat height of 800mm. The motorcycle had a wet weight of 179kg and could hold 17L of fuel with an average consumption of 3.3L/100km or 30 km/l. The bike had a ground clearance of 165mm and an oil capacity of 2.3L.

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Technical specifications:

Make Model: Matchless G3L

Year: 1956 – 58

Engine: Four stroke, single cylinder, ohv

Capacity: 347 cc / 21.2 cub in.

Bore x Stroke: 69 x 93 mm

Cooling System: Air cooled

Compression Ratio: 6.5:1 (from 1956: 7.5:1)

Lubrication: Dry sump

Exhaust: Single, chrome silencer

Fuel System: Amal 76 carburetor 1-1/16 (from 1956: Amal Monobloc, 1-1/16)

Electrical System: Magneto ignition, Lucas dynamo, 6V battery (from 1956:Coil ignition, Lucas alternator, 6V battery)

Starting: Kick

Maximum Power: 11.9 kW / 16 hp @ 5600 rpm (from 1956: 14.1 kW / 19 hp @ 5750 rpm)

Clutch: Wet, multi-plate

Transmission: 4-Speed Burman (from 1956: 4-speed AMC)

Final Drive: Chain

Frame: Single down tube

Front Suspension: Telescopic fork

Rear Suspension: Swingarm, AMC units (from 1956: Swingarm, Girling units)

Front Brakes: Drum

Rear Brakes: Drum

Front Tyres: 3.25 x 19″ Dunlop K70 (from 1956: 3.60 x 19″ Dunlop K70)

Rear Tyres: 3.50 x 19″, dunlop K70 (from 1956: 3.25 x 19″, Avon SM)

Wheels: Steel, laced wire spokes

Wheelbase: 1436 mm / 56.5″

Seat Height: 800 mm / 31.5″

Ground Clearance: 165 mm / 6.5″ (from 1956: 178 mm / 7.0″

Wet Weight: 179 kg / 395 lbs

Fuel Capacity: 17 L / 4.5 US gal

Oil Capacity: 2.3 L / 2.4 US qts

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

Top Speed: 212 km/h / 75 mph