Associated Motor Cycles announced its post-war range of AJS and Matchless ‘heavyweight’ singles in June 1945. Coded Model 18 and G80 respectively, the two 500cc models shared the same 93mm stroke as their 350cc brethren, coupled to an 82.5mm bore.
source.image: classic-motorcycle.com
- Manufacturer: Matchless
- Model: G80
- Year: 1955
- Displacement: 498 ccm
- Cylinder: 1
- Engine type: 4-stroke / ohv
- Bore / Stroke: 82.5 x 93 mm
- Power: 28hp @ 5600 RPM
- Compression Ratio: 1:7.3
- Weight: 177 kg
- Top Speed: 126 km/h
Housed in a rigid frame with Teledraulic front fork, the ruggedly built overhead-valve engine drove via a four-speed gearbox.
Hairpin valve springs were adopted for 1949 and a swinging-arm frame introduced, the latter initially for export only but available in the UK from 1950.
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Cleverly, AMC had devised this frame by the simple expedient of producing a new suspension-carrying rear sub-frame that bolted on in place of the old rigid back end. This sturdy G80 is a good runner.
